How to Remove Grease From Kitchen Cabinets, Plus a Post-Renovation Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Why grease builds up on kitchen cabinets

Cooking sends fine droplets of oil into the air. They land on the cabinets nearest the range, especially the doors above and beside it, and on handles touched with greasy hands. Dust sticks to that film, and over months it turns into a tacky, darker layer that ordinary wiping only smears around.

A range hood vented outside, run every time you cook and kept with clean filters, is the best way to slow the buildup. Recirculating hoods and dirty filters let more grease settle on the cabinets.

How to remove grease from kitchen cabinets, step by step

Work one door at a time, top down, and do not let the surface stay wet. Water that sits in joints, around hinges or on raw edges is what swells wood and MDF.

1. Dust firstWipe with a dry microfiber cloth so you are not turning dust into mud.
2. Mix a mild solutionAdd a small amount of dish soap to warm water. Wring the cloth until it is damp, not dripping.
3. Wipe and let it workWipe with the grain on wood. On heavy spots, let the soapy water sit a minute, then wipe again.
4. RinseGo over the door with a second cloth dampened in clean water to remove soap film.
5. Dry immediatelyDry with a clean towel, including the edges and the area around hinges.
6. Treat stubborn spotsUse a paste of baking soda and water on a soft cloth with light pressure. Test it first; it can scratch high-gloss finishes.
7. Do the hardware separatelyClean handles and knobs on their own; on heavily used hardware it is often easier to remove them.

What to use on different cabinet finishes

Always check the manufacturer's care instructions if you have them. Many cabinet makers specifically warn against ammonia, bleach, abrasive pads and silicone-based polishes.

When cleaning is not enough

If the finish is sticky even when clean, or cleaning leaves light patches, the grease has often softened or worn through the topcoat. At that point the cabinets usually need to be degreased, sanded and refinished or repainted. Painting over grease without thorough degreasing is one of the most common reasons new cabinet paint peels.

For grease inside the range hood, wash or replace the filters on the schedule the hood maker recommends. Hood filters in most home kitchens can go in the dishwasher or soak in hot soapy water; check the manual.

Post renovation kitchen cleaning checklist

After a remodel, a construction clean comes before a regular clean. Dust from drywall sanding, tile cutting and sawing is very fine and spreads well beyond the kitchen. Remove it dry, with a HEPA vacuum and microfiber, before using water; wet-wiping drywall dust first leaves a paste and streaks.

Before you start, change or check the HVAC filter, since the system has likely pulled dust in during the work, and wait out any recommended cure times on grout, sealers or paint.

Top of the room

• Remove protective films from appliances, cabinet edges and fixtures; peel tape residue gently.
• HEPA-vacuum ceiling corners, light fixtures, vents and the tops of upper cabinets.
• Clean windows, sills and trim; scrape paint specks off glass with a new blade held flat.

Cabinets and counters

• Vacuum inside every cabinet and drawer, then wipe with a barely damp cloth.
• Wipe cabinet faces and hardware, and check hinges and drawer slides for dust and debris.
• Clean countertops with a cleaner approved for that material; stone and quartz makers list what to avoid.
• Remove grout haze from new backsplash tile with the product the tile setter recommends.

Appliances, sink and floor

• Clean inside the oven, dishwasher, microwave and fridge, and run the dishwasher empty once.
• Flush the faucet aerator and check the sink drain and disposal for debris.
• Vacuum and then damp-mop floors last, following the flooring maker's care guidance.

Mistakes to avoid after a remodel

New surfaces are often most vulnerable in their first weeks. A few habits protect them.

• Using a regular household vacuum on fine drywall dust; it can clog the filter and blow dust back out.
• Using vinegar or acidic cleaners on natural stone, which can etch marble and limestone.
• Scrubbing fresh grout or caulk before it has cured.
• Sliding appliances across new floors without protection.
• Using abrasive pads on stainless steel against the grain, which leaves visible scratches.
• Closing up cabinets full of dust; leave doors open while you clean so nothing settles back in.

Keeping kitchen cabinets clean afterward

A quick weekly wipe of the doors near the range with a damp microfiber cloth keeps grease from building into a sticky layer. Wipe spills right away, especially along the bottom edges of the sink and dishwasher cabinets, where water does the most damage. Run the hood during and for a few minutes after cooking, and clean its filters regularly.