One of the quickest and easiest kitchen makeovers is done by changing your plain cabinet door with some good paint. You can use the same colour for both, or go with two completely different shades when painting cabinets. Once the paint is dry, finish by adding new hardware in a style that complements the look.
Some of the benefits and uses of Murphy's Oil Soap are: It smells fresh; it cleans without leaving a soapy residue as long as you do not use too much; cuts through grease that you may encounter on cabinets and paneling; great in luke warm water for wood floors (not laminate). I love, love, love Murphy's Oil Soap.
If your goal is to update the look of your existing cabinets, the cheapest route is to simply reface them.
If you dislike your kitchen's layout or your cabinets' current style you may want to consider resurfacing kitchen cabinets. If budget is your main consideration, refinishing is often the cheaper option.
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. Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent to the vinegar and water solution to clean extremely grimy cabinets.
Marker / Touch-Up Pen
Use the marker/pen to repair scratches, excessive wear marks and edges where raw wood is exposed such as miter joints where two pieces of moulding meet. Shake well before using. Remove the cap and simply run the tip over the defect. It may take several light coats to conceal the damage completely.
For Water Based Finishes
Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy's Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Water based surfaces may be cleaned with a damp cloth or General Finishes Orange Oil.
A non-drying oil—like olive, coconut and avocado oils—won't dry or harden on your cabinets.
The Best Options for Cleaning Wood Cabinets
Dish soap is easily the best cabinet degreaser for your kitchen. Most of the build-up on your cabinet doors is grease from cooking or food preparation, and dish soap is specially designed to remove grease from your dishes.
Yes, oak is coming back into style, but it is a paler, softer tone and, in cabinets, the details are much more modern than what we see in older honey oak cabinets: a straight shaker or slab doors, rather than a cathedral-top shape and a pale color instead of a more golden amber finish, which is often just the yellowing ...
Visit local kitchen cabinet retailers or contact manufacturers who offer a matching option. They can help you find cabinets that seamlessly blend with your existing ones, giving your kitchen a cohesive look.
For painted cabinets, a gentle cleaning solution of dish soap and water works wonders, lifting years of kitchen residue without damaging the wood. For cabinets with a stained finish, a damp microfiber cloth might be all you need, though mineral spirits help with tougher grease spots.
Sanding is the best option if you intend to paint your cabinets because it removes any existing finish. Stripping is the best method for removing minor scratches and blemishes. Stripping involves removing the finish from the cabinet surface with a chemical solution.
2K Polyurethanes on Cabinets
2k polyurethanes or 2K polys are fantastic products for cabinet refinishing as it has been groundbreaking for the wood coatings industry in general. 2K polys require a mix of a catalyst or hardener, resulting in a pot life of a few hours.
For those stubborn messes, apply a squirt of Dawn® Platinum directly to a sponge or dish cloth under warm running water, then gently scrub the greasy surface.
Did you know you can use Pine-Sol as a cabinet cleaner? Learn how to use it to clean kitchen cabinets and remove grease and grime.
Murphy® Oil Soap gets deep into grime to break up dirt particles and it's safe to use on wood products like cabinets. Next, gather another cloth or sponge. You may also want to use an old toothbrush to get into crevices.
Moreover, a recent study by HomeLight found that over 60% of real estate agents recommend white, pale gray, or greige (a mixture of gray and beige) for kitchen cabinets to optimize a property's resale value.
Cabinet refacing is considered to be less durable than a full replacement, as it does not replace the entire structure of the cabinets. Over time, cabinet frames can become worn or damaged; if that happens, you may need to replace them anyway.
We recommend using one of two products: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel or Benjamin Moore's Advance. Both of these products will give your cabinets a much longer paint lifespan because they're specifically designed for painting cabinets and trim.