Dish soap and warm water, along with a microfiber cloth, is the best solution for cleaning a painted cabinet.
For heavier grease and stains: Use a mix of vinegar (1 cup), warm water (2 cups), and baking soda (1 tablespoon) as a cleaning solution (tip: add a small amount of dish soap for extra-strength). Take a soft cloth, dip into this mix, and work out the heavier grease and stained areas of your cabinets.
Clean painted wood with a solution of mild dish detergent and water rubbed on with a damp cloth, then dry the area completely with a paper towel. If your wood furniture is painted with Real Milk Paint, you can seal the surface without changing the color.
Murphy® Oil Soap gets deep into grime to break up dirt particles and it's safe to use on wood products like cabinets.
Wipe wood furniture with a barely damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime. (Use a cotton cloth to avoid damaging the wood.) Quickly wipe it dry with another microfiber cloth. Don't let water sit on wood since it can warp the surface.
The Detergent Method
The measurements aren't exact — just add enough detergent to a bucket of running water to make suds. Dip a microfiber cloth into the suds and wring it out. Rub the damp cloth on your painted cabinets in a circular motion, repeating until the grime is gone.
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.
To shine up your cabinets, paint a high-gloss clear acrylic varnish over your final coat. This technique will add depth to the color and cover the surface of your kitchen with a glassy sheen.
If you come across any stubborn stains on painted walls, turn to baking soda and water. Baking soda is a natural stain fighter—mix a half cup of baking soda with a quarter cup of water until it forms a paste.
No matter the surface, it is easiest to always use a good dish soap and water to dilute it for your cleanser. All-purpose cleaner, wood cleaner, and white vinegar are also suitable alternatives. But if you're not sure and you want to be safe, it is best to stick to good old soap and water!
A 50/50 water and vinegar solution is a trusted cabinet cleaner. Vinegar's natural acidity easily breaks down grime and grease.
Vinegar is an excellent all-natural cleaning solution for tough grease stains and grime, but it can also strip the paint and varnish off of your kitchen cabinets. The same goes for wooden furniture, flooring, and other surfaces throughout your home.
Avoid These Cleaners on Painted Cabinets: Magic Eraser or similar sponges, abrasive powder or scrubbing pads, cleaners with abrasive particles, intense detergents, or ammonia oil soap, spray polishes containing silicone, petroleum products, or wax citrus/orange cleaner. Repairing paint is tricky.
Baking Soda
After wetting your brush with warm water, add a little baking soda, then scrub away on the cabinets. Follow with a damp, warm cloth to remove the residue. Not only will the baking soda cut through the grease, but it's also non-abrasive, so it won't harm your wooden cabinets.
Mix a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water. This mild cleaning solution is perfect for everyday use on wooden cabinets. It won't warp the wood or take off the finish. If you dislike cleaning with vinegar, you can use a light soap solution instead.
Dish soap
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.
If you would like to use vinegar on finished or waxed wood furniture, use it extremely infrequently and at your risk. As for chalk or milk painted furniture with or without a waxed finish, never use vinegar on the surface and instead, gently clean using a slightly dampened microfiber cloth.
CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR WOOD FURNITURE
A gentle, water-based solution such as Murphy® Oil Soap Original works well when cleaning and protecting the finish on your wood floors, furniture and cabinets.