How Do I Clean and Wax Old Kitchen Cabinets?
The kitchen may be one of the messiest rooms in the house. Daily cooking may cause a buildup of grease on cabinet surfaces, and in spite of regular cleaning, eventually cabinets can begin to look dull and dull. Laminate cabinets, or even people with a painted or waterproof surface treatment like polyurethane, may also be dusted and cleaned with a soft fabric and all-purpose cleaner. Old hardwood cabinets with varnished or lacquered finishes require occasional waxing to keep their physical appearance.
Assess the Finish
Begin by getting any dust and surface dirt from the cabinets. Wipe the entire cabinet with a soft fabric. If the place is sticky, gummy or oily, skip it and move on. Wipe inside and outside the cabinets, and do not forget that the surfaces you can’t see. Dust on top of any cabinets that don’t go to the ceiling. As you’re dusting, check the end for cracks, chips and other signs of wear. You will want to take extra care cleaning around any damaged areas to prevent additional wear and tear.
Wash with Soap and Water
Starting from the interior of every cabinet and working your way out, wash all surfaces with a mild soap and water solution. Use a soft cloth and gently wipe the surfaces tidy; be careful to never over-wet the timber. A stiff paintbrush will help you clean in any decorated areas which are too small to get a fabric. Rinse with plain water and a clean cloth, changing the water often. Wipe the cabinets with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.
Dealing with Large Messes
If the cabinets are exceptionally dirty or oily, or have a heavy wax buildup, you may use diluted dish-washing liquid and a vigorous scrubbing with a soft cloth to clean the surfaces. Rinse with warm water and a clean cloth until you no longer see soap deposits when you wipe. You can also mix equal parts water and vinegar and use this option to clean dirty or oily cabinets. The vinegar cuts the grease, but might cloud the finish on the wood, so check the solution in an inconspicuous spot first.
Applying New Wax
Employ a soft paste wax in a thin layer to the cabinet surfaces with a soft brush or cloth. Using more than is required to coat the surface will not result in a thicker coat of wax, then you will only spend more time buffing off the surplus. Enable the wax to dry for 15 minutes, or until the surface appears somewhat muddy and feels nearly dry to the touch. Buff the wax gently with a clean, soft cloth. Slow, light buffing produces a low sheen; higher rate, more vigorous buffing provides you a greater sheen. Wash your cabinets and reapply wax around once per year.