Natural homemade cleaners keep wood cabinets looking their best. Wood kitchen cabinets are prone to all sorts of grease, grime and gunk simply from being in the kitchen. Steam deposits greasy residue on overhead cabinets, and when your 6-year-old insists on helping with the recipe, your handheld mixer sprays cake batter everywhere. Harsh cleansers may damage the finish on wood cabinets, and the chemicals used to make the cleaners may be hazardous as well. Rather than resorting to potentially toxic cleaning materials, whip up your own natural cleaning solutions. You probably already have the items you need, such as vinegar or baking soda, on hand in your kitchen. Basic Cleaner Vinegar in a squirt bottle serves as spray cleaner for wood kitchen cabinets. Spray the cabinets, then wipe them down with a slightly damp sponge after a minute or two. Vinegar helps cut grease and greasy film that builds up near cooking areas; it also removes odors. If the cabinets don't feel grimy or greasy, the vinegar in the spray bottle can be diluted with an equal amount of water.

A natural dish soap or oil soap made from plant-based materials can be used in place of vinegar; mix a few squirts of the soap into a bowl of water, wipe the cabinets down, then wipe again with a fresh damp sponge. laptop cooling fan not working toshibaAdd a few drops of vinegar to the soapy water if the cabinets feel greasy. how much should dryer vent cleaning costDry cabinets with a soft cloth. ac coil cleaning costStubborn Spots Remove built-up grime or food debris by mixing vinegar and salt into a paste. best carpet steam vacuum cleaner 2012

Scrub the problem areas with a toothbrush or microfiber cloth; avoid harsh abrasives such as steel wool, as these may scratch the finish or the wood itself. best vacuum cleaner 2014 australiaHold a cloth or sponge dipped in vinegar over a stubborn spot if it still remains after scrubbing, then scrub it again with the salt-and-vinegar paste. best vacuum cleaner with wandBaking soda on a damp sponge may be used as well. Hardened Gooey Foods Remove dried gooey materials such as maple syrup, chocolate or honey with a few ice cubes placed in a zippered sandwich bag. Hold the bag of ice over the problem spot for several minutes or until the substance hardens. Scrape the substance away with the edge of a plastic knife, bowl of a plastic spoon, or a piece of card stock. Wipe away any remaining residue by spraying it with vinegar, or mixing a paste of vinegar and salt, then scrubbing the spot gently with a toothbrush.

Clean and Protect Keep wood cabinets looking their best by mixing a vegetable oil such as olive oil and vinegar; use equal portions if the cabinets are grimy, or use three parts oil, one part vinegar if the cabinets have recently been cleaned. Apply a thin layer of the mixture over the cabinets, rubbing it in with a soft, dye-free cloth. Using a dye-free cloth ensures the cloth color won't bleed onto the cabinets. References Maid Brigade: How to Clean Kitchen CabinetsDr. /Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionWhat is the best way to clean cherry cabinets? In most cases, a soft cotton cloth dampened with warm water is enough to clean cherry cabinets. If a deeper cleaning is needed, then a fresh mixture of warm water and dishwashing liquid can be used. What is the best way to clean Corian counters? What is the best way to clean oak kitchen cabinets? What are some uses for metal storage cabinets? Cleaning cherry cabinets is normally just a matter of wiping them down but, sometimes, a cleaning agent is needed.

If dishwashing liquid and warm water are not cleaning the cabinets satisfactorily, and then a mild all-purpose cleaner can be used. It is important to avoid cleaners with ammonia or silicone as these agents can damage and discolor the finish of cherry cabinets. Also, do not use abrasive scrubbing cleaners, sponges, or dishcloths to clean the cabinets. They may contain particles that will scratch the surface of the cabinets. In addition to understanding the types of chemicals to avoid, it is important to know that spills and splatters should be cleaned up immediately. The longer a spill or splatter remains on the cabinet, the more likely it is to discolor. This is true of water or other liquids, food, oil, and grease splatters. In addition to regular cleaning, cherry cabinets should be dusted on a regular basis. The best way to dust is to use a clean, soft, lint-free cotton cloth. Prepackaged dust rags, aerosol dusting sprays, and premoistened cloths are unnecessary and more likely to ruin the finish on the cabinets.

Learn more about Cabinets & Storage What is the best way to clean the exterior of a stainless steel refrigerator? A simple way to clean the exterior of a stainless steel refrigerator is to wipe it using a soft cloth and warm water. For tough stains, a solution of mild ... What are some methods for cleaning bronze? Preventative cleaning is the most natural way to keep bronze looking good, by using a clean cotton cloth to prevent the build-up of dust and other particle... How do you remove scratches from sunglasses? A simple way to remove scratches from sunglasses involves rubbing regular toothpaste on the lenses with a microfiber cloth, washing them, then rubbing them... How do you clean polished nickel? Daily cleaning of polished nickel involves wiping the fixture with warm, soapy water, rinsing it with water and buffing it with a cotton cloth. How do you hang shelves in a cubicle? What's the best way to gain weight fast? How do you hang a shelf?