11 Natural Solutions to Help Remove Grease from Kitchen Cabinets

Having greasy cabinets can be rather frustrating, but they can’t be helped in a busy kitchen. Grease that builds upon cupboards and drawers is usually a result of meal preparation or greasy hands. Just imagine the mess from making a spicey stir fry and you get the picture. While the backsplash and stovetop are relatively easier to clean, greasy kitchen cabinets can be somehow tricky, especially if they’re made of wood. However, there’s nothing a natural household product can’t clean. Using certain approaches involving homemade solutions can allow you to get rid of even months-old grease stains. Not only are these household ingredients just as effective as commercial products, but they’re also actually inexpensive and healthier to use. 

1. Using White Vinegar and Warm Water to Remove Grease

The acidity of white vinegar makes it a natural cleaning product with effective degreasing properties. Because it’s acidic you may want to use it with caution around unsealed surfaces; the acid is known to damage even marble. When in doubt, consider opting for another solution. 

What You’ll Need:

• White vinegar
• Warm water
• Spray bottle
• Soft Piece of Cloth

Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar. Next, mist the solution onto the greasy cabinetry and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Soak the cloth in warm water and wring it well; excess water can damage a wooden cabinet. Using the damp piece of cloth, wipe the cupboard to get rid of the grease. You can remove stubborn stains by applying a homemade paste of vinegar and salt on an old toothbrush and using it to scrub the affected areas — follow it up by wiping it with a soft cloth.

2. Removing Cabinet Grease With Dish Soap and Warm Water

Many dishwashing liquids are great at removing grease stains. Although dish soap is not exactly natural, it’s still much safer to use than other chemical-based products. Make sure not to use too much water as it can seep into the wood and possibly damage it.

What You’ll Need:

• Dishwashing liquid
• Warm water
• Cleaning Sponge
• Dry Cloth

Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a bowl until it foams. Soak the sponge in the mixture and squeeze it. Then, start scrubbing the cupboards with the sponge; make sure to follow the grain of wooden cabinetry. Should you come across any stubborn stains, apply a bit of dishwashing liquid directly onto the cleaning sponge and scrub the area again. Soak the sponge and repeat until the stains disappear. Finish up by wiping the cabinets with a dry piece of cloth to get rid of soap residue.

Getting rid of grease stains becomes easier with water and dish soap.

3. Using Citrus Oil to Clean Your Cabinets

Citrus oil is known to be a natural degreaser just like white vinegar. Since many cleaning products contain this substance, consider checking your cleaning supplies or looking for a new bottle at the supermarket. 

What You’ll Need:

• Citrus-based multipurpose cleaner
• Warm water
• 2 soft cloths

Spray the citrus-based product directly onto the cabinetry and leave it for a minute or two. Dampen a soft cloth and use it to gently wipe the grime stains. Get rid of any remaining grease using a fresh damp cloth and wipe the area dry.

4. Cleaning Cabinets With Lemon and Baking Soda

If you prefer a more organic alternative to a citrus oil-based product, there’s none better than actual lemon. The acidic nature of lemon juice allows it to cut through grease, leaving behind a citrusy aroma. Baking soda, on the other hand, is an alkaline substance that’s effective against the grime. The combination of the two ingredients makes for an ideal solution for grease-free cabinets. 

What You’ll Need:

• Juice from 1 lemon
• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• Spray bottle
• Fresh cloth

Fill up a spray bottle with water, lemon juice, and baking soda. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and spritz the solution onto the greasy cabinets. After a few minutes, wipe the area clean using a dry cloth.

Get rid of your cabinet grease with homemade solutions.

5. Removing Grease With Ammonia and Water 

Ammonia is found in several household products such as oven cleaners and Windex. Mix ammonia with an oily substance like grease and you get soap; that is how this common ingredient essentially works. 

What You’ll Need:

• Half a cup of ammonia
• 1 gallon of water
• Soft cloth

Soak a soft piece of cloth (microfiber works best) in a mixture of water and ammonia. Then, proceed to gently scrub the greasy area. The grease and the ammonia will form a chemical reaction, turning into a soapy substance that you can easily wipe off.

You may want to take caution when working with ammonia. Using more than the recommended amount or combining it with harsh chemicals like bleach can be dangerous. Make sure to wear latex gloves when using this solution.

6. Using Vegetable Oil and Baking Soda to Remove Grease

When mixed with vegetable oil, grease stains that have hardened over time tend to loosen up. The combination of vegetable oil with a bit of baking soda creates an effective solution for grime. 

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 cup of baking soda
• Old toothbrush
• Fresh cloth

Make a paste out of vegetable oil and baking soda and, using an old toothbrush, apply it onto the greasy cabinets. Gently scrub the mixture in circular motions until the area is clean. Lastly, wipe the surface dry using a fresh piece of cloth.

Vegetable oil is an effective method to remove grease.

7. Cleaning Greasy Cabinets With Baking Soda and White Vinegar

Removing grease from cabinets can sometimes be trickier than you’d expect. When all else fails, you might be looking for another trick up your sleeve. Luckily, there is one effective method that involves using white vinegar and baking soda. 

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Half a teaspoon of dish soap
• Dishcloth

Mix the vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap in a bowl and dampen a cloth in it. Use the damp cloth to firmly rub the greasy area until it’s clean. If the stain doesn’t go away, dip the cloth back into the bowl and simply repeat the process. 

8. Removing Fresh Stains With Flour

It may come as a surprise that flour can actually make for a great household cleaning product. Instead of resorting to harsh chemicals, consider using flour to get rid of fresh grease stains. 

Dry flour is known to absorb moisture. After sprinkling a palmful on the stain, allow it to absorb the grease. Next, simply wipe off the resulting substance using a dry paper towel and dispose of it immediately. 

9. Wiping Off Grease With Microfiber Cloth

Microfiber cloths are more effective at wiping off grease than dishcloths and paper towels. Not only are they incredibly absorbent, but microfiber cloths are also known to be negatively charged, allowing them to attract positively charged grease. 

Consider using a microfiber cloth with the homemade degreasing solution of your choice. Gently wipe the affected area in circular motions until the grease is no more. Getting rid of cabinet grime using a microfiber cloth will be considerably easier. However, make sure to wash it after each use; grease that’s trapped inside the cloth can render it useless.

Microfiber cloths are great for cleaning stains.

10. Remoisturizing Newly Cleaned Wood Cabinets

In the case of wooden cabinetry, there is an extra step you may need to consider after cleaning. The measures you take to remove grease will also strip the wood of its moisture, and it's crucial that you remedy this. Protection products such as those containing beeswax are great at preventing the wood from drying out. These products also tend to repel cabinet grease. 

11. Preventing Grease from Building Up

While homemade solutions certainly do their part in removing grease, it’s also helpful to prevent it from building up in the first place. There are certain tips you can follow to keep your cabinets spick and span — and to make them easier to clean.

• Remember to frequently wash your hands when preparing a meal. Doing so will significantly reduce the amount of grease that gets on cupboard doors when you’re reaching for something.
• To prevent grease from building up, consider wiping down the stovetop and cabinets on a weekly basis. Simply use a soft cloth and a homemade degreaser to wipe off new stains.

As long as other parts of the kitchen (such as the countertop) are in good condition, the cabinets should be easier to clean. Bear in mind that grease can easily transfer from one surface to another when you’re working around the room.