How do I make my wood cabinets look new again?

Author: Mr. Reynold Kozey I  |  Last update: Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Easily Renew Wood Cabinets Without Actually Refinishing
  1. Step 1: Supplies. Ugly Cabinets. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean Cabinets. First clean the cabinets. ...
  3. Step 3: Go to Home Depot. Buy Restor-A-Finish, Super Fine (0000) Steel Wool and Howard Feed-N-Wax. ...
  4. Step 4: Apply Restor-A-Finish. ...
  5. Step 5: Apply Howard Feed-N-Wax. ...
  6. Step 6: You Are Done!

How do you bring old wood cabinets back to life?

To restore the shine to the wood cabinets in your kitchen, you can either sand and refinish the cabinets or have your favorite cabinet shop refinish the top coat with catalyzed lacquer. Put the shine back in your kitchen with the aid of this free video on home built-ins.

Is Murphy's oil soap good for wood cabinets?

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.

How to get cabinets looking new again?

To polish old kitchen cabinets, first, clean them thoroughly with a mixture of mild soap and water. For tougher stains, use a solution of vinegar and water. After cleaning, allow the cabinets to dry completely. Once dry, apply a high-quality wood polish or furniture wax using a soft cloth or sponge.

How can I update my wood cabinets without replacing them?

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.

Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Without Stripping

How can I make my old wood cabinets look better?

Reface the Cabinets

You can transform your cabinets quickly by refacing them with a new veneer. You can make your veneer any color you like, but cabinet refacing is a step above painting. It replaces cabinet surfaces instead of just covering them with paint.

What is the cheapest way to update kitchen cabinets?

If your goal is to update the look of your existing cabinets, the cheapest route is to simply reface them.

What is the best product to restore cabinets?

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.

How do I make the inside of my cabinets look new?

  1. Step #1: Decide Whether or Not to Paint Inside Kitchen Cabinets.
  2. Step #2: Remove Doors and Hardware.
  3. Step #3: Clean and Prep.
  4. Step #4: Prime Inside Kitchen Cabinets.
  5. Step #5: Paint Inside Kitchen Cabinets.
  6. Step #6: Let Dry and Apply a Second Coat.
  7. Step #7: Allow Cabinets to Cure.

How can I restore my kitchen cabinets without painting?

Here are some creative and effective ways to update your kitchen cabinets without reaching for a paintbrush.
  1. Cabinet Refacing: ...
  2. Change the Hardware: ...
  3. Restyle with Vinyl Wrap: ...
  4. Add Under-Cabinet Lighting: ...
  5. Install Glass Inserts: ...
  6. Add Crown Molding: ...
  7. Install Roll-Out Shelving: ...
  8. Open Shelving Conversion:

What is the best cleaner for wood 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. Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent to the vinegar and water solution to clean extremely grimy cabinets.

When should you not use Murphy's oil soap?

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.

What oil to use on kitchen cabinets?

A non-drying oil—like olive, coconut and avocado oils—won't dry or harden on your cabinets.

What is the lifespan of wood cabinets?

While the longevity of kitchen cabinets largely depends on the quality of materials used in their production, solid hardwood cabinets have the potential to last up to 50 years or more with proper care. This extended lifespan is a testament to their durability and stability.

How to make kitchen cabinets look glossy?

You can make kitchen cabinets look glossy yourself by using paint, lacquer, polyurethane, or epoxy to give them that shiny finish. For a more seamless job, you can replace your units with high-gloss kitchen cabinets and doors from 27EStore.

How do you bring wood back to life?

3 Ways To Bring Old Furniture Back To Life
  1. Restoring The Finish: Wood polishes, conditioners, and refinishing products can revitalize a tired, faded wood surface. ...
  2. Chalk Paint: Chalk painting is a great way to give new life to an old piece of furniture—and you can achieve it without stripping, sanding, or priming.

How do you rejuvenate wood cabinets?

Easily Renew Wood Cabinets Without Actually Refinishing
  1. Step 1: Supplies. Ugly Cabinets. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean Cabinets. First clean the cabinets. ...
  3. Step 3: Go to Home Depot. Buy Restor-A-Finish, Super Fine (0000) Steel Wool and Howard Feed-N-Wax. ...
  4. Step 4: Apply Restor-A-Finish. ...
  5. Step 5: Apply Howard Feed-N-Wax. ...
  6. Step 6: You Are Done!

How to revitalize old kitchen cabinets?

The Basics
  1. Pull all drawers and cabinet contents and scrub everything clean.
  2. Check for any dampness inside your cabinets (plumbing?) and solve.
  3. Sand out the rough spots.
  4. Caulk (water) or wood putty the cracks (drawer bottom & etc.)
  5. Replace your cabinet pulls (and hinges, if inclined)
  6. Paint, Paint, Paint!

How do you clean the inside of old wood cabinets?

Vacuum inside the cabinets, using a crevice tool attachment. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle, adding a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent to cut through the grease. Spray outside doors and let the solution sit for one to two minutes. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

What is the best cleaner for kitchen cabinets without leaving residue?

Simple solutions of dish soap and water can do wonders for cleaning away grease, splatters, and food messes. Dawn® Platinum makes cleaning kitchen cabinets So Dawn Easy! The unique formula quickly breaks down grease particles while staying gentle enough to not cause any damage.

Does rejuvenate really work on cabinets?

It works pretty well. My cabinets were looking a little worse for wear so I decided to try Rejuvenate in combination with their wood repair markers. My cabinets' cherry wood veneer had numerous nicks and scratches so filling in the spots was time consuming. The colors match pretty well so issues there.

What is the best wood cleaner?

7 Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners, Tested by Cleaning Experts
  • Best Overall. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray. Read more.
  • Best Value. Murphy Concentrated Wood Cleaner. Read more.
  • Best Microfiber Spray Mop. Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop. Read more.

Is it cheaper to refinish or buy new kitchen cabinets?

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.

How to refresh the inside of kitchen cabinets?

Here are some ideas you can use to refresh the inside of your cabinets:
  1. Painting the inside of your exposed kitchen cabinets is an easy way to update and refresh the look of your entire kitchen.
  2. Wallpaper the inside of the exposed kitchen cabinets. ...
  3. Change the accessories in the open cabinets.

How can I make cheap cabinets look good?

  1. Try Painting Them. If you want to add some color to your kitchen, paint over those cabinets with a gorgeous hue. ...
  2. Switch Out the Doors. ...
  3. Install Some Molding. ...
  4. Swap Out Hardware. ...
  5. Change Out the Hinges. ...
  6. Don't Overdo It. ...
  7. End With Lighting.

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