From the underlying cost to purchase to the time it takes to clean and maintain your home, it is easy to see how home ownership is overwhelming. Considering the kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, ensuring it is clean and in good condition is key to your home's value and family's enjoyment. Unfortunately, you may not be placing enough energy into cleaning your kitchen cabinets. While surprising to hear, your kitchen cabinets encompass an estimated 40 percent of your remodeling budget, so protecting your investment with proper cleaning is smart. Using this guide, you can remove the greasy grime from your kitchen cabinets in a safe, non-toxic manner.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution

Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, creates a bubbly, fizzy sensation when it mixes with vinegar on a surface. This bubbling dissolves away dirt, dust, and debris without a great deal of effort. Fortunately, using a baking soda and vinegar solution, you can remove the greasy film from your cabinets.

To get started, add 1 cup of baking soda to a bowl and pour in 2 cups of white vinegar. Soak a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring out the excess liquid. Use the cloth to scrub the front and sides of your kitchen cabinets. Be sure to scrub behind your cabinet doors and drawers, as well.

After washing, wipe the surfaces with a damp rag.

Vinegar Solution

To remove thick, greasy residue from your cabinets, you may choose a traditional wood polish or cleaner that is readily available in stores. While these may be effective, they can contain harsh chemicals that are too toxic for your home. In addition, many of these chemicals can damage the wood of your cabinets over time. For a safer solution, consider white vinegar.

In a spray bottle, combine the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of warm water
• 2 cups of white vinegar

Mix together by shaking the bottle. Then, spray a generous amount of the vinegar solution onto a clean microfiber cloth. Use the soaked cloth to wash the greasy surfaces of your cabinets and drawers. Allow the vinegar solution to sit and rest on the surfaces for a few minutes before wiping the excess off with a  wet cloth. Do not leave the surfaces damp, since the moisture can warp your wood doors and drawers. Use a dry towel to remove leftover moisture from your cabinets.

The acidic nature of vinegar will eat through greasy grime on your cabinets while ensuring they are free from bacteria and other germs.

 Vegetable Oil to Clean and Shine

The greasy residue on your cabinets is most likely due to cooking in the kitchen, so using a cleaning solution made of vegetable oil may not seem ideal. However, a combination of vegetable oil and baking soda will remove thick grime while improving the natural shine of your hardwood cabinets.

Add 1 cup of vegetable oil to a bowl. Sprinkle in 2 cups of baking soda and mix to create a paste. If the mixture appears too watery, add more baking soda. If it feels too powdery, add more oil.

Apply the paste directly to your cabinets using a microfiber cloth. To get in between the hardware nooks and various corners, use a toothbrush to apply the paste. Allow the paste to sit on the wood for a few minutes before wiping away with a wet cloth.

Cleaning your kitchen cabinets may not be a priority, but it is essential for protecting your home's value and appeal. Using these simple, natural solutions, you can remove tough dirt, dust, and greasy grime from your cabinets doors and drawers. If your cabinets are looking old in addition to grimy, however, consider contacting remodeling contractors from a company like Sierra Remodeling & Home Builders Inc.