How to Clean Old Kitchen Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide From Professional Cleaners

Let’s face it: kitchen cabinets see things. Splattered spaghetti sauce, greasy fingerprints, the mysterious sticky goo you pretend not to notice, and all of it building up over time. And before you know it, your once-gorgeous cabinets are giving off serious “haunted house chic” vibes.

But don’t panic. Whether you’re prepping for a kitchen refresh in your home in Atlanta or just trying to avoid judgment from nosy guests in your house in Philadelphia, we’ve got a roadmap to get those cabinets sparkling again. With help from professional cleaners who’ve seen and scrubbed it all, here’s your expert-backed guide to cleaning those tired old kitchen cabinets.

1. Start with a cabinet soul-searching session

Before you bust out the scrub brush, you need to know what you’re working with. Is it real wood? Veneer? Painted MDF? Your cleaning plan depends on it.

“Start by assessing the cabinet’s finish, is it painted, stained, or sealed wood? Also, evaluate the current condition and the level of dirt, grease, or grime buildup,” says Matty of Wayfinder Cleaning Services. This little inspection helps you choose the right cleaning products without destroying the finish.

Translation: Don’t go spraying mystery cleaner on a cabinet like you’re hosting a game of chemical roulette. Know your materials, then proceed accordingly.

If you’re cleaning the inside of the cabinets, yes, you’ll need to remove everything. “It’s also a great opportunity to give dishes, pots, and pans a thorough cleaning,” Matty adds. Not only does this make it easier to scrub, but it’s also a prime time to toss that can of creamed corn from 2008. If you’re just cleaning the exterior, feel free to leave the contents be.

Also, before the water and suds start flying, take a moment to protect your surfaces. Floors and countertops may not be your target today, but a little stray cleaner can do damage.

“Use rubber-backed drop cloths or a waterproof tarp to catch any cleaning agents or grime that might drip down,” Matty recommends. It’s the best way to protect your floors and counters from a little friendly fire. Towels. Drop cloth. No slipping. No regrets.

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2. Choosing the right cleaning supplies

You can’t go into battle with just any tools. To get cabinets truly clean without causing damage, choose wisely.

“Soft microfiber cloths, non-abrasive sponges, and soft-bristle brushes are key,” says Matt Christou of the Big League Clean Team. “Use the smooth side of the cloth for rougher wood or surface textures, it’ll glide more easily.”

When it comes to cleaners, natural or store-bought both have their place. Patrice of Blue Ribbon Cleaning Co. shares: “We’ll use a combination of vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda for natural products on specialty wood cabinets. Murphy’s Oil Soap and Bona Wood Cleaner are effective store-bought products, just be careful with degreasers as they can remove the finish.”

For stubborn grime? “Try a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and warm water for grease, or a 3:1 baking soda and water paste for stubborn stains. Murphy’s Oil Soap is also a great option for wood cabinets,” says Matt Christou.

3. How to clean old kitchen cabinet surfaces

Let’s talk about the enemy: grease. Sticky, stubborn, slick-as-a-seal grease. It loves your cabinets, especially near the stove. So what’s the magic trick to lifting years of grime?

“Murphy’s Oil Soap with a scratch-resistant damp sponge,” says Patrice. That combo is gentle on wood but tough on grime. Yes, it’s simple. Yes, it works. Grab that Murphy’s and prepare to be amazed.

For wood cabinets, she suggests “a soft scrub brush, magic eraser, or non-scratch Dawn sponges.” The goal is to clean without stripping the finish. You’re scrubbing cabinets, not sanding a boat. Be kind to your surfaces.

Painted cabinets need a gentler touch. “Cool water, magic eraser, and Dawn dish soap, and you’re right as rain,” says Patrice.

To tackle stains and oil marks, vinegar is your best friend. “Simply mix a spray bottle with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and warm water. Spray the mixture onto the surfaces that need to be cleaned and let it set in for 30 seconds, then wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth,” says Evan Blumberg of Mulberry Maids. For tougher stains, reduce the water and add more vinegar and use a scouring pad gently, “as strong degreasers and abrasive sponges can take off the cabinets’ finish.” In short, start gently, escalate only if your grime laughs in your face.

4. Tackling the inside and hardware

Cleaning the outside is great — but let’s not ignore what lurks behind the doors.

“Empty the cabinets out, and do a thorough wipe out or vacuuming to make sure there is not any debris left inside,” says Evan. “Then use an all-purpose or simple cleaning solution, such as warm water and dish soap, with a microfiber cloth to wipe the interior surface down.” For stubborn stains, “use a vinegar and baking soda mixture to help aid in getting rid of the stain.”

To nix odors, Laura Christian of Cleaning All Stars recommends Odoban:“It is a great, light-duty cleaner, but it also removes odors of all kinds.”

And don’t forget the hardware: It’s the jewelry of your kitchen, after all. “Remove it and soak in 1:4 ratio of white distilled vinegar and warm, soapy water,” says Matt Christou. “Use an old toothbrush to scrub details in hardware after soaking. Dry well to prevent rusting.”

Once you’ve cleaned the gunk, it’s tempting to call it done. But don’t leave soapy residue behind. Think of rinsing as the victory lap your cabinets deserve. And since moisture is not your cabinet’s bestie, make sure to dry every surface thoroughly after rinsing.

5. When cleaning is not enough: restoring the look of your old cabinets

Sometimes, a deep clean reveals that your cabinets need more than just soap; they need a little facelift.

If your cabinets are peeling or cracking, handle them with care. Darren D’Souza of Joy of Cleaning says to “Avoid spraying any chemicals directly onto cabinets that are peeling or cracking. That kind of damage is usually due to old paint or aging materials. The safest approach is to spray your cleaner onto a rag first, then gently wipe around the damaged areas.”

If your cabinets are faded or discolored, try re-oiling with teak oil. Evan Blumberg recommends to clean them first, then “apply the wood oil using a clean lint-free cloth in an even fashion. It may take multiple coats to revive the color of the wood. If that does not do the trick, more serious work may be needed, such as sanding and restaining the cabinets.”

Laura adds, “Fading and discoloration can come from sun bleaching or because the wood has dried out. For sun bleaching, the only thing you can do is sand and refinish it or paint it. If the wood is dried out, a wood oil will help bring it back to life.”

6. Maintaining your kitchen cabinets

You’ve worked hard, so let’s keep those cabinets looking sharp.

“To keep cabinets clean long-term, wipe them down with a soft cloth and a mild all-purpose cleaner, such as Odoban, or an easy dish soap and water mixture,” says Hatti Parker of Parker Cleaning Services. “For grease-prone areas, try using Dawn Powerwash. It’s excellent for tackling grease.”

Good ventilation also helps. “Keep your kitchen well-ventilated and use a range hood to capture grease. Regularly wipe handles and knobs to prevent oil and dirt buildup,” Hatti adds.

As for frequency? “Spot cleaning cabinets at least once a month and deep cleaning every six months will keep them looking great long-term,” she recommends.

7. Biggest pitfall to avoid

Let’s wrap up with what not to do.

“One of the biggest mistakes is not knowing what material the cabinets are made of,” warns Darren D’Souza. “ People often spray cleaning products directly onto the cabinets without checking if it’s safe for the surface, which can cause damage, especially on older finishes.”

A little prep, the right tools, and a few pro tips go a long way in keeping your kitchen cabinets from looking like they belong in a horror movie. Sure, cleaning old kitchen cabinets may not be the most glamorous task, but it’s incredibly satisfying when it’s done right.