Forget vinegar — this common household soap is the only thing you need to cut through grease on kitchen cabinets

Keeping the kitchen clean can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, between washing dishes and wiping down countertops. A single dinner can end up dirtying multiple pans and dishes, on top of the residue left behind on the stovetop or inside the oven.

But even if you’re diligently cleaning up after every cooking project, there’s one cleaning step that you likely forget, or simply run out of steam to complete, and it’s wiping down your cabinets.

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Why your kitchen cabinets get greasy

Contemporary kitchen — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

You might be wondering how your kitchen cabinets can even get dirty. It’s not like food is prepared on them or comes into contact with them during the cooking process. But you’d be surprised how quickly grease accumulates on the surface of cabinets, especially the ones located near the stovetop.

Every time oil spatters in a pan or is carried upwards in a cloud of steam, there’s a good chance some of it will land on the cabinet doors. Especially if several people use your kitchen each day, this grease can build up quickly and create an unattractive layer of grime.

If you’ve noticed grease on your kitchen cabinets, then you will want to act fast and remove it. The longer the grease stays there, the harder it will set — and the more difficult it will be to remove. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to restore them to pristine condition.

Why vinegar won't cut it

Bottle of white vinegar next to a dish brush — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Many people will tell you that vinegar is the best way to cut through grease, but it’s actually most effective on hard water rather than oils; it breaks down mineral deposits, as opposed to actually cleaning or sanitizing the surface.

You can also buy specialized cleaning products designed to tackle grease stains, but they are rarely worth the price and offer limited utility. You’re much better off using a household favorite to get the job done.

Enter: Dawn dish soap

Dawn dish shop in grocery store — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Think of how effective this classic dish soap is at removing oil and grease from your pans and dishes. Is it any wonder that it is equally effective for grease stains on kitchen cabinets?

The exact recipe for Dawn is a secret, but the company credits its grease-cutting abilities to its balanced blend of surfactants, which are the chemicals that break down hydrocarbons in oil. These surfactants are able to surround the grease particles and suspend them in water, so that they can be rinsed away. And because the particles are surrounded by Dawn, they aren’t able to redeposit themselves elsewhere on the surface.

How to use Dawn dish soap to clean your cabinets

Dawn works on the grease on your cabinets in the same way that it works on dishes. For best results, here's what to do:

1. Mix Dawn dish soap with warm water.

2. Apply the mixture to the cabinet surface with a soft sponge or rag.

3. You should need minimal force to cut through any grease, but still be gentle so as not to scuff or damage the cabinet.

4. Once the grease has been removed, use a clean sponge to gently remove any remaining soap residue.

Extra tips when cleaning kitchen cabinets

Young girl is cleaning an induction electric hob. — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Choose the right cleaning aid
Using a soft rag, cloth or sponge is key when cleaning cabinets, as an abrasive tool can end up causing more damage to the cabinets.

Removing hard-to-shift grease
If a grease stain is especially stubborn, apply some soap solution and leave it for a few minutes to break down the oils. After several minutes, go back in with the cloth and wipe away the loosened grease.

Alternatively, dilute some ammonia in warm water, then place the solution in a spray bottle. Apply the ammonia to the greasy surface, let it sit for 30 seconds to one minute and then remove with a soft sponge or cloth.

Extra oil might help
If oil stains have set into the wood's surface, you can try applying a light layer of fresh oil to the surface before using Dawn dish soap. This may sound counterintuitive, but the wet grease will help to dissolve the grease stain so that both can be removed at once.

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