Cleaning Wood Cabinets With Dawn Dish Soap & Murphy’s Oil

Wood cabinets give a kitchen a classic look and feel, but they can get dirty, greasy, and fingerprinted faster than we’d want. It’s crucial to use the right cleaning approach, whether you’re cleaning up years of filth or just giving your cabinets a quick wipe-down. You could destroy the shine, change the color of the wood, or create stains if you clean it the wrong manner.

People who own houses sometimes ask themselves, “Is it okay to use Dawn dish soap on my wood cabinets?” Yes, but you have to do it the right way. This detailed instruction will show you exactly how to clean your kitchen cabinets in a safe and effective way. You don’t have to worry about hurting the wood, destroying the paint, or using strong chemicals. This is where you’ll find the best way to clean your cabinets, whether you want to buy cleaners like Murphy’s Oil Soap or manufacture your own natural ones.

Is it Okay to Clean Wood Cabinets with Dawn Dish Soap?

You may use Dawn dish soap on wood cabinets if you mix it with water and are careful. Dawn is a gentle degreaser, so it’s perfect for cleaning kitchen cabinets, especially around the handles and stoves, where grease builds up. Dawn won’t take off the polish or change the shape of the wood like other strong chemical cleaners do when applied correctly.

But remember that Dawn is still soap, and if you use it too much or without water, it will leave streaks or a dull residue. The most important thing is to prepare a cleaning solution that isn’t too strong and not wet the wood.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Wood Cabinets with Dawn Dish Soap

You will need:

1 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap
2 cups of warm water
A sponge or towel made of soft microfibre
A towel that is not wet
Optional: A soft toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas

Step 1: Mix the solution together

Add 2 cups of warm water and 1 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap to a basin or spray bottle. Stir gently; you don’t need a lot of foam.

Step 2: Clean the cabinets

Soak a microfiber towel or sponge in the solution, then squeeze out the extra water. Gently wipe the cabinet’s handles, frames, and doors. Be extra careful at corners and edges where dirt likes to build up.

Step 3: Clean the little parts

Use a gentle toothbrush dipped in the same solution to clean carvings, edges, or around hardware where dirt collects.

Step 4: Rinse with a clean cloth

To get rid of any soap that is remaining on the cabinets, use a separate towel that is soaked with plain water.

Step 5: Make sure that everything is absolutely dry

Use a clean towel to wipe off all the surfaces of the cabinet. This helps keep water out and makes the surface shine.

How Do You Clean Wood Cabinets the Best?

The best cleaning for you will depend on how unclean your cabinets are and what you prefer. Here are some of the greatest options:

1. Dawn Dish Soap (Best for Grease)

We already explained that diluted Dawn is helpful for cleaning off cooking grease without damaging the finish on your cabinets.

2. Murphy’s Oil Soap (Best for Cleaning Deeply)

Murphy’s Oil Soap is meant to clean wood only. It cleans and maintains the wood, which helps it stay shiny. It’s great for cabinets that are starting to look old and need a little TLC.

3. Water and White Vinegar (The Best Natural Degreaser)

A 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water is a fantastic natural way to clean off grease, especially on cabinets near the stove. Vinegar smells bad at first, but it dries without leaving a scent and won’t destroy wood if you use it correctly.

4. Store-Bought Cleaners for Wood Cabinets

Method Wood for Good and Weiman Cabinet & Wood Cleaners are two examples of cabinet cleaning sprays that are safe for wood and work well to get rid of dirt and grime.

How Do You Clean Kitchen Cabinets Without Ruining the Finish?

The secret to retaining the finish on the cabinet is to clean it gently. Here are some tips for cleaning well without damaging or dulling that protective topcoat:

Do:

Use cleaners that are gentle, like Murphy’s Oil Soap, vinegar, or watered-down dish soap.
Always wring out clothes and sponges so that they are damp, not wet.
Wipe with the grain of the wood.
Right away, dry the cabinets with a soft towel.

Don’t:

Use rough pads or sponges
Use bleach, ammonia, or strong all-purpose sprays
Let the water sit or soak the cabinets
Put on anything that can get oily and accumulate dust over time

These do’s and don’ts will help you keep the finish on your cabinets safe while also getting rid of dirt and grime every day.

Is It OK to Use Murphy’s Oil Soap on Wood Cabinets?

Yes, of course. Murphy’s Oil Soap has been a trusted way to clean wood cabinets for more than 100 years. It is supposed to clean and feed wood surfaces at the same time. Because the formula is 98% natural and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals in it, you can use it every day.

How to Use Murphy’s Oil Soap:

Mix 1 gallon of warm water with ¼ cup of Murphy’s Oil Soap.
Put a soft cloth in the solution and squeeze it out well.
Gently clean the tops of the cabinets.
Wipe away any dirt that is still there with a clean, moist towel.
Dry off right away with a towel

It will not only clean your cabinets, but it will also leave a natural, polished gloss that makes the wood grain look better.

How Can I Clean My Kitchen Cabinets at Home in a Natural Way?

If you want a green cleaner that works, doesn’t cost much, and uses stuff you already have in your kitchen, try this solution:

Things you need:

One cup of white vinegar
1 cup of warm water
1 tablespoon of baking soda
1 tablespoon of olive oil (optional, for more shine)
A few drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil (optional for scent and to kill germs)

How to do it:

Put everything you need in a spray bottle. Shake gently.
Spray the cabinets lightly and then wipe them down with a microfiber towel.
A toothbrush can help you clean corners and cracks.
Buff with a towel that is clean and dry.

The vinegar and baking soda in this solution naturally cut down on grease, get rid of aromas, and the olive oil helps bring back a soft shine.

When to Deep Clean Your Cabinets

Even if you clean your cabinets every week, you should still undertake a comprehensive clean every three to six months. You ought to:

Take everything out of your cupboards
Clean the shelves and drawers within
Wipe the tops of the cabinets clean if you can reach them
Wipe down everything, including knobs and pulls
To clean the hinges, put a cotton swab in diluted dish soap

A deep clean every now and again keeps wood from getting dusty and damaged over time.

Ways to Keep Your Cabinets Clean for Longer

Wipe up sauces and spills straight away; don’t let them sit
Use a splatter guard when you cook to keep grease from floating and settling
Put liners in your cabinets to protect crumbs and food stains from getting on the inside
Once a week, clean the handles. They can gather up oils from your fingers faster than you think
Turn on the fan in the range hood. Always run it as you cook to keep grease from going into the air

Final Thoughts

It’s not hard to keep your cabinets clean and nice in the end.

Wood cabinets can survive for decades if you take care of them the right way. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy products to keep them clean. You can use diluted Dawn to get rid of grease buildup, Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean the wood, or even manufacture your own natural cleaner. How you clean is what matters.

Don’t soak, use soft cloths, always dry after wiping, and don’t use too many harsh chemicals. These cleaning strategies will keep your cabinets looking rich, new, and welcoming for years to come.

You can inform someone that Dawn dish soap is okay for their wood cabinets if they ask you. You’ll know exactly what to say, and you’ll be sure of it because you care and have a clean kitchen to back it up.

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