Olive oil is a non-drying oil that will remain soft on your cabinets, where it will attract dust and eventually spoil. According to woodworking experts, only drying oils, such as orange, walnut, and linseed oil should be used to clean wood. When these oils dry, they form a hard protective layer on the wood.
3. Kitchen cabinets. Olive oil can condition wood too! Try mixing it with lemon juice (one part juice to two parts oil) to rub it over cabinets as well as wooden tables and chairs.
While some people think that the use of olive oil might damage wooden furniture, it actually nourishes the wood and brings out its natural shine. It can be used to treat several kinds of wooden surfaces. From chairs and tables to wooden storage boxes, you can use olive oil and let it act as a varnish.
General Cleaning:
bottles for homemade cleaners) mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 tablespoons white vinegar and enough warm water to fill the bottle (about 2 cups). Shake to mix then spray on one door or drawer front at a time. Scrub with a soft cloth to remove any dirt, then buff to a beautiful shine.
Wax your cabinets: About twice a year, put wood furniture wax on your cabinets for a protective barrier that keeps debris, oil and grime from sticking to the wood and discoloring it. Spray the wax onto a rag and wipe it over the entire surface of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets so that the finish comes out smooth.
The sticky residue found on your kitchen cupboards is usually caused by cooking grease and dirt, but it may also be the residues left by some cleaners. No matter what its source, a sticky residue is unappealing and damaging to your kitchen cabinets.
Create a cleaning solution with 1-part baking soda, 2 parts warm water and the lemon juice. Add the solution to a spray bottle and spray the liquid onto the kitchen cabinets. Leave for 2-3 minutes, allowing the baking soda to work its magic. Use the soft sponge to gently scrub the grease away.
Use 50% water and 50% distilled vinegar for a streak-free look. If your kitchen glass cabinet has wooden mullions, then do not spray the distilled vinegar directly on the surface. Instead, spray onto a cloth and gently wipe.
Most olive oils can last 18–24 months from the time they're bottled, while extra virgin olive oils may last a bit less — around 12–18 months. Beyond this time, it will go rancid. To avoid this, store it in a cool, dark place and toss it if the best-by date has passed.
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water in a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Add a few drops of olive oil to the mixture. The vinegar and hot water help to disinfect your cabinets, while removing grease and grime. The olive oil provides a subtle shine.
Use Pledge® Moisturizing Oil to clean wood kitchen cabinets, windowsills, decorative trim, tables, chairs and more*. Or, get this: You can use it on your leather shoes. Try that on for size. *Safe to use only on finished, sealed surfaces.
Linseed Oil
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is one of the most popular wood finishes in the world. Like other hand-rubbed oil finishes, linseed oil saturates deep into the wood grain to protect against scratches and changes in humidity.
Vinegar is the go-to natural cleaner when faced greasy cabinets. Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist on cabinets, let sit for a minute or two and then wipe clean with a soft cloth.
Polish wood furniture: Combine 2 cups olive oil with 1 cup lemon juice or vinegar. Work the mixture into the furniture with a soft cloth. To smooth out scratches in light-colored wood, rub them with a solution of equal parts olive or vegetable oil and lemon juice.
Mix 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of white toothpaste, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Use your finger or a spoon to mix it well. Dip a sponge in the mixture and scrub down your cabinets. Rinse with a damp cloth until all residue is gone.
Water (with a pH of 7) and dish soap (with a pH between 7 and 8) are always good options. The best cleaner, the one that is less likely to do damage to the wood is good old-fashioned elbow grease. Applied with a damp cloth, elbow grease should be effective at removing dirt and dust and even oil and grease build-up.
DO tackle tough spots with baking soda.
In a small bowl, mix one part baking soda with two parts water. Use a clean, dry cloth to dab the paste onto the dirty spots. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it away with a damp cloth, gently rubbing until the grunge is gone.
The sticky residue is usually caused by cooking oil, fat from foods and dirt. It begins when you cook and even a spoon of oil in a hot pan will cause some of the oil to evaporate into oil vapour.
If you like a darker tone: First clean your cabinets with a mix of TSP and water. Once they're dry, sand the cabinets lightly and use a tack cloth to remove dust. Then apply a polyurethane varnish (tinted to whatever tone you find appealing). This varnish-stain combo is likely to do the job in one application.
Mix a solution of 50/50 vegetable oil and vinegar in a small spray bottle. Spray on the outer surfaces of your wood cabinets, then rub in with a clean rag. Buff it into all the surfaces of the cabinet until it is shiny and beautiful.