What is the best degreaser for kitchen cabinets before painting?

Author: Prof. Payton Welch  |  Last update: Saturday, August 16, 2025

Dish Soap. Grease-cutting dish soaps, like Dawn, are the gentlest choice for degreasing kitchen cabinets. If extra cleaning power is needed, use a non-scratch abrasive sponge to help safely scour away sticky grease film.

What is the best degreaser for painted kitchen cabinets?

Dish soap mixed with warm water would do a fine job on most types of cabinets, including painted wood, plastic laminate, and even metal. This mild soap solution is tough enough to tackle gunky buildup with ease, but it won't ruin cabinet finishes.

What to use to degrease before painting?

Get a garden sprayer and fill it with a degreaser/ water solution. Simple Green is a good option that won't take off the existing paint. You can scrub with a sponge, but I recommend a mop (ocedar is my favorite but a sponge mop would work well too!) dry with some rags and you should be good.

Do I need to rinse off Krud Kutter before painting?

Most versions of Krud Kutter state they are no-rinse, but if you really cake it on, it can foam up and leave a residue. A quick wipe with a damp rag certainly won't hurt anything.

What is the best chemical to clean before painting?

Use a commercial cleaner such as Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) to make sure everything is deep cleaned. TSP removes dirt, grime, scuffs, soot, and all other manner of soiling.

Best product to use to clean kitchen cabinets before painting

Is Krud Kutter safe for painted cabinets?

Not all cleaning solutions are equal, therefor, we must try to avoid anything that is harsh. I highly recommend using Dawn Dish Detergent or Krud Kutter.

Is simple green a good degreaser before painting?

Simple Green Surface Prep formula is a safer alternative to TSP, with no PPE requirements. The non-toxic formula easily cuts through grease, oils, wallpaper paste, mold stains, nicotine buildup, soot and other tough soils without heavy scrubbing.

How do you remove grease from wood before painting?

Method 1: Mild Dish Soap Solution

Use a soft cloth to remove: Use the damp cloth to gently rub the stained area in the direction of the wood grain. This will help get the grease off. Dry the area: Use a dry, soft cloth to wipe the cleaned area to get rid of any extra water and prevent water damage.

Does Home Depot sell Krud Kutter?

Krud Kutter 1 Quart Liquid Cleaner and Degreaser for Grease on Multisurfaces KK326 - The Home Depot.

What is the best kitchen degreaser?

After evaluating multiple kitchen degreasers using our rigorous product testing process, these three rose to the top.
  • Best for Burned-on Food: Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser.
  • Best Nontoxic Kitchen Degreaser: Method Heavy Duty Degreaser.
  • Best Budget-Friendly Kitchen Degreaser: Comet.

How to prep kitchen cabinets for painting?

Let's get started!
  1. Step 1: Prepare Your Cabinets. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean and Degrease. ...
  3. Step 3: Scuff Sand the Cabinets. ...
  4. Step 4: Wipe Down the Cabinets. ...
  5. Step 5: Primer Application. ...
  6. Step 6: Sand and Wipe Down Again. ...
  7. Step 7: Paint Your Cabinets. ...
  8. Step 8: Sand and Wipe Down Between Coats.

Can you use Dawn heavy duty degreaser on kitchen cabinets?

Grease-cutting dish soaps, like Dawn, are the gentlest choice for degreasing kitchen cabinets. If extra cleaning power is needed, use a non-scratch abrasive sponge to help safely scour away sticky grease film.

What is the best thing to degrease kitchen cabinets with?

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.

How do you make cabinets shiny after painting?

Polyurethane: Another option for achieving a glossy finish on your cabinets is to use polyurethane. This clear coating can be applied over painted or natural wood cabinets to create a sleek, shiny look. It's less toxic than lacquer and easier to apply, but it can be more prone to yellowing over time.

Is Krud Kutter a good cleaner?

Customers say Krud Kutter is an effective and versatile cleaner that excels at removing grease, grime, and tough stains from various surfaces, including kitchen cabinets, floors, and outdoor furniture.

How do you get grease off cabinets before painting?

Take a damp microfiber cloth and strip off all the grease and dirt. Allow the cabinets to air dry completely before proceeding with sanding or painting.

What is the best cleaner for wood before painting?

The washing with Mineral Spirits will remove any residual oil or grease from the wood if there is any. Mineral spirits will evaporate from the wood completely without leaving any residue. This is the purpose in waiting some time – up to a day after cleaning with mineral spirits… for the mineral spirits to evaporate.

How do you degrease before painting?

You can also buy a heavy-duty degreaser, which can be helpful if you're preparing a garage door or a big expanse of metal. Or you can use vinegar. Just soak a rag and wipe it over the grease. Even if the metal isn't greasy, it still needs to be cleaned.

What should you not use Simple Green on?

Restrictions on Use: Do not use on non-rinsable surfaces. This product is not classified as hazardous under 2012 OSHA Hazard Communication Standards (29 CFR 1910.1200). Inhalation: Not expected to cause respiratory irritation. If adverse effect occurs, move to fresh air.

Can you paint after using degreaser?

Always rinse thoroughly after degreasing and allow the surface to dry before painting.

Do you have to rinse a Krud Kutter before painting?

Krud Kutter® Gloss-Off Pre-paint Surface Preparation is a no rinse, one-step formula is specially designed to prepare high gloss and other hard-to-stick-to surfaces for repainting or refinishing. Specially formulated to help new paint and varnish bond to old finishes, or as a wall preparation prior to wallpapering.

What is the best degreaser?

Our top picks:
  • Best Overall. Krud Kutter Concentrated Cleaner/Degreaser Stain Remover. Read more.
  • Best Value. Easy-Off Cleaner Degreaser. Read more.
  • Best Foaming Aerosol. Sprayway All Purpose Cleaner. Read more.

What is the best cleaner for painted kitchen cabinets?

Dish soap and warm water is another classic solution that never fails and works well to help erase small amounts of daily build-up. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down the cabinets. Be sure to dry thoroughly afterward.

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