Use these homemade wood cabinet cleaner recipes to bring back the shone of your wooden cabinets with natural ingredients.
Natural wood cabinets are beautiful and have a warm appeal to them. A very traditional way of decorating a house, they add a nice rustic feel while eliminating the illusional look from the modern houses. They are timeless, classic, and can be great for decorating. The durability of wood cabinets also makes wood the number one choice for kitchen cabinets and can last for over 50 years if properly maintained.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of wood cabinets are essential factors for their durability. The wooden cabinets in the kitchen can especially be a lot dirtier than the other home cabinets because of the grease which gets accumulated on them. They are also used more frequently and the food stains can get tricky to remove if left unattended for long.
Why use Homemade Cleaners
There are many store-bought wood cleaners you can use but it is more beneficial to use homemade natural ones. Firstly, you know what you are using when cleaning with homemade cleaners. Most commercial cleaners have bleach in them which can harm the aesthetic sheen of the wood cabinets and affect their polish. Also, any general-purpose cleaner has oil in it which can leave a thin sticky layer on the cabinets and attract dust. Secondly, commercial cleaners are costly and if you buy 10 different cleaners for different purposes, then the cost can get very high. They are not very eco-friendly as well. Therefore, try these easy DIY homemade wood cabinet cleaner recipes with ingredients you can easily find in your kitchen.
Regular Cleaning
What you need
- Vinegar
- Water
- Soft cloth
How to use
Mix equal quantities of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Apply it to the cabinets and let it sit for about 2 minutes. Wipe it off with a soft cloth. Then take a clean cloth and dip it in water and use it to wipe the surface again to remove the residue. Finally, clean with a dry cloth. You can create this mixture and use it for regular cleaning of the cabinets.
For stubborn stains
What you need
- Salt
- Vinegar
How to use
Combine equal parts of salt and vinegar to form a paste. Apply this paste to the stubborn stain using a soft toothbrush. Do not apply too much pressure or use a new toothbrush to avoid adding scratches to the wooden surface. After 5 minutes, clean it off with a wet sponge or a wet cloth. Dry it with a soft towel after cleaning. This is very useful in getting tough stains from cooking like oil, syrup, or grease residue.
For Restoring the Shine
What you need
- White Vinegar – 5 tbsp
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Water – 2 Cups
How to use
Mix 5 tablespoon of white vinegar with 2 tablespoon olive oil and 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Remember to shake the bottle well before using it so that the oil doesn’t separate. Mist the cleaner on the wood cabinet and wipe it off with a soft cloth. Clean it with a wet cloth, followed by a dry towel. This is useful to get rid of excessive build-up and for giving a shine to the cabinets. Make sure you do not use much oil and clean the residue of the solution well. Otherwise, the oil can stay on the surface and attract dirt and grease.
Always do a patch test before using any type of cleaner whether store-bought or homemade to see if they are affecting the polish and scraping off the wood surface.
