HOW TO CLEAN STICKY WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS

SHARE THE LOVE!

How to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets.

You can easily clean sticky cabinets with my step-by-step guide.

All the following recipes use simple natural ingredients such as:

• Baking soda
• Dish soap 
• White vinegar
• Toothpaste
• Water
• Essential oils (optional)

Read the full post for all the recipes and my best tips on how to maintain a nice, clean kitchen.

The following post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll get a small commission if you decide to buy using the links provided. This will add NO EXTRA COST to you but it helps me to keep this blog up and running. Thank you. You can get more info by reading my Disclaimer page.

---

When we first moved into our new house, about four years ago, we quickly realised there was a lot of work to do in it. Besides the obvious jobs we had already knew about before purchasing it, we noticed there were smaller tasks to perform in order to restore the house to its original beauty.

Indeed, deep cleaning the wooden kitchen cabinets was one of them.

Why is the finish on my kitchen cabinets sticky? Why are my wood cabinets sticky?

Our kitchen, although big and almost functional to the point I’d like it to be, unfortunately came with very sticky wooden cabinets and countertops.

I admit that I had never seen anything like that, and it took me a while to clean it.

Aside from greasy residue left by little hands touching everything, there are a number of reasons why your wood furniture can become a sticky mess.

Let’s have a look at some of them.

Heat and humidity 

If your kitchen is particularly hot and humid, the moisture in the air can cause the wood to expand and become sticky.

Cleaning products

If you have used cleaning products that contain oil or silicone, the residue from these products can make the wood feel sticky.

Residue buildup

Over time, cooking grease, grime, and other residue can build up on the surface of the cabinets and make them sticky.

Poor finish 

If the finish on your cabinets is worn or damaged, it can make the surface feel sticky.

Insect infestation 

In some cases, an infestation of insects like ants or roaches can leave behind a sticky residue on the wooden cabinets.

What is the best cleaner for sticky wood cabinets?

In this post I’m going to show you how to clean your kitchen and wood furniture using natural ingredients and simple methods.

Although you can most certainly buy commercial cleaners products at your local store, I’d advise you against it.

In fact, those commercially produced cleaners are loaded with harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients that you and your family will inhale during and after you use them. 

That for me is cause of great concern!

Here I’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to use pantry ingredients in order to get the best results!

Get rid of stubborn stains and greasy cabinets the easy way!

How do you clean gunky and sticky wooden cabinet doors?

In this article, I’ll share with you several cleaning methods to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets.

They use simple natural ingredients such as:

• Baking soda
• Dish soap 
• White vinegar
• Toothpaste
• Water
• Essential oils (optional)

IMPORTANT

Always wear protective rubber gloves when cleaning your home, car, or outdoor areas.

Do not handle any cleaning product or infested item without protecting your hands first!

Before applying or spraying any product on your furniture or upholstery, check the labels and cleaning instructions.

Do not spray or treat any expensive item, as you might possibly damage it. Leave costly items to a professional carpet cleaner!

Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first (perform a patch test!).

IMPORTANT

Always follow the advice of your trusted health practitioner before using any product around your home.

Although the natural ingredients used in the recipes below are generally safe, always consult with your doctor before using any product. Pay particular attention if you suffer from any condition, allergy or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Seek immediate advice and help from your trusted medical care provider if you are concerned about your health or that of your family members or pets.

For example

While essential oils and natural ingredients are generally safe for pets, some animals might be sensitive to some ingredients, or might develop an allergic reaction. Immediately stop any treatment if you notice any reaction, such as a skin irritation on your dog. Seek immediate help from your local vet if you are concerned about your pet’s health at any stage.

The same advice applies to you and the rest of your family.

Can you use baking soda to clean wood cabinets?

As you might know already from reading other posts on my blog, I’m a big fan of baking soda and I use it all the time to clean around my home.

You can make a baking soda paste to clean your sticky wood kitchen cabinets too!

I have written several blog posts on homemade cleaning solution and home remedies you could make up easily with baking soda to tackle many jobs around your home.

For example:

How to get rid of fleas in your home fast using natural ingredients

How to get rid of smell in garbage disposal 

The best DIY couch stain remover recipes

How to clean carpet smell: homemade recipes that really work

How to make all natural laundry scent boosters

Homemade non toxic fabric softener

The best home remedies for smelly shoes 

---

HOW TO CLEAN STICKY WOOD CABINETS WITH BAKING SODA

Before you start, let me tell you that this cleaning method, although very effective, can be quite messy! That is to say that, if you are not willing to spend too much time cleaning, maybe you could try a different method instead. The choice is yours!

Anyway, this method works very well in getting rid of sticky grease on a wood surface. 

Moreover, the baking soda is not abrasive, so it won’t damage your wood.

Lastly, baking soda is a powerful natural deodoriser, so it will get rid of any nasty odor trapped in your furniture.

You will need:

• Large bowl;
• Cleaning brush (an old toothbrush will do as well);
• Lint-free soft cloth;
• Baking soda;
• Water.

To make:

In a large bowl, mix baking soda and water to form a thick paste. You are looking for a thick consistency. If your paste is too runny, simply add more baking soda.

To use:

With the help of a cleaning brush, start scrubbing your wooden surfaces. Do not scrub too vigorously. Just apply the paste and scrub gently.

Let the paste sit for a few minutes.

For very gunky and dirty surfaces, you might scrub a second time.

With the help of a clean cotton or microfiber cloth, start wiping off the area.

Make sure to get rid of all residues.

Let you furniture to air dry.

Is white vinegar good for cleaning wood cabinets?

White vinegar is another powerhouse of a natural cleaning agent!

I use it daily to wipe down my kitchen counters and clean glass, mirrors and windows. And it works on sticky cabinet surfaces too!

How To Clean Sticky Wood Kitchen Cabinets With White Vinegar

White vinegar is highly acidic and it may damage your wood furniture.

This is why I would suggest you do not use it neat on any wooden surface.

On the other hand, if you follow the recipe below, you can achieve great results without fear of damaging your kitchen cabinets.

You will need:

• A spray bottle;
• White distilled vinegar;
• Water;
• A bit of dish soap;
• A cleaning brush or sponge;
• Lint-free cloth.

To make:

In the spray bottle, mix 2 cups of water to 1 cup of vinegar. Add a little squirt of dish soap.

Shake well to mix.

To use:

Shake well before using the mix.

Spray a little of the vinegar solution on your sponge, and start scrubbing down your sticky wood kitchen cabinets or countertops.

When you are satisfied with removing grime and dirt, start rinsing the area using a clean towel or cloth dipped into clean water.

Make sure to rinse the surfaces completely. Let the furniture to air dry.

You can store any left over mix in a dark cupboard, away from direct sunlight and heat. Discard after 2 weeks max. 

Does vinegar damage wood cabinets? Is it OK to clean wood with vinegar and water?

As mentioned above, vinegar is very strong. If used neat, it can indeed damage the finish on your furniture.

That is why I advice using it only if diluted with water. 

In the recipe above, you will need to make a solution of vinegar by using two parts of water for every part of vinegar.

If in doubt, do not use vinegar on your wood surfaces. Leave expensive items to professional cleaners!

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING PRODUCTS?

If the above recipe has given you the idea of making your own homemade cleaners, but you don’t know where to start, do not worry: I have an entire category on my blog dedicated to natural household cleaning!

For example:

• ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CLEANING
• THE BEST HOME REMEDY FOR FURNITURE POLISH
• HOW TO CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN STOVE
• HOMEMADE BEESWAX FURNITURE POLISH EASY RECIPE
• HOW TO GET RID OF SMELL IN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL
• HOW TO CLEAN CARPET SMELL
• DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER
• ALL NATURAL HOMEMADE DIY FEBREZE RECIPE
• ETC.

How To Clean Sticky Wood Cabinets With Dish Soap

I use dish soap in my super special recipe to clean the shower and the bathroom.

Although gentle, dish soap removes grease and grime effectively and with very little effort.

Here’s a recipe to use dish soap to clean sticky wood furniture.

You will need:

• Water;
• Dish soap;
• A sponge;
• A spray bottle;
• Lemon essential oil (optional);
• Lint-free cloth.

To make:

Fill the spray bottle with warm water. Add a teaspoon of dish soap and 2-3 drops of lemon oil (if using). Shake well to mix. 

To use: 

Spray the dirty area and let the mix sit for about 5 minutes before starting to scrub it gently.

To rinse, dip a clean, dry cloth into warm water, and wipe the surface to get rid of all soap residue.

Let the furniture to air dry.

You can store any left over mix in a dark cupboard, away from direct sunlight and heat. Discard after 2 weeks max. 

How To Clean Sticky Wood Cabinets With toothpaste

Did you know that toothpaste has many uses beside cleaning your teeth?

Indeed, the very humble toothpaste can be used as an emergency remedy to stop a cold sore, and to sooth minor burns.

When it comes to sticky wood kitchen cabinets, it is an effective cleaning product, if combined with baking soda.

You will need:

• A large bowl;
• A sponge or cleaning brush;
• Lint-free cloth;
• 1 cup of water;
• 2 TBSP of baking soda;
• 1 tsp of toothpaste.

To make:

In a large bowl, mix together the water, toothpaste and the baking soda.

The mixture will be slightly runny.

To use:

Dip your sponge or brush in the mixture and start scrubbing your wooden furniture.

To rinse, dip a cloth into water and use it to wipe down the area. Make sure to get rid of all residue.

Let the furniture to air dry.

Dispose of any left over mix immediately.

How do you make homemade cleaning products with essential oils?

Essential oils are an effective and all natural tool in your arsenal if you like to make DIY cleaning products.

They add a lovely scent to any homemade cleaning solution, and increase its degreasing powers.

In particular, citrus oils such as lemon or orange oil are very powerful natural extracts that can get rid of stubborn grease stains and dirty residues easily and with little effort.

You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to all of the above recipes to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets.

This is of course totally optional, but I highly recommend it!

The best essential oils for cleaning are:

• Lemon essential oil;
• Orange essential oil;
• Eucalyptus essential oil;
• Doterra purify (refreshing blend);
• Doterra on guard (protective blend);
• Cinnamon essential oil;
• Clove essential oil;
• etc.

important

Only use 100% unadulterated and pure essential oils, from a reputable company. 

Never use essential oils topically unless properly diluted, and only use them after a patch test.

Pay particular attention if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or on older people and young children.

Some people might develop skin irritations or adverse reactions.

Never ingest essential oils without reading the label first, as not all oils can be consumed internally.

Always talk to your trusted medical practitioner and/or certified aromatherapist before using essential oils, especially if you suffer from any allergy, intolerance, are ill or are already taking any medication.

---

How do you stop wood from being sticky?

Once you have worked very hard at restoring a nice shine and a clean finish to your kitchen cabinets, I’m sure you will want to keep them that way.

Here are my best tips to stop wood from becoming sticky again.

To stop wood from becoming sticky, you can try the following steps

By following these simple steps, you can help prevent your wood cabinets from becoming sticky, and keep them looking their best for longer.

Reduce humidity 

Keep the humidity levels in your kitchen as low as possible by using a dehumidifier or ventilating the room.

Clean regularly

Regular and general cleaning of your cabinets can help prevent the buildup of residue and grime that can make the surface sticky. Wipe down the cabinets with a damp cloth daily.

Wipe spills and accidents as soon as possible

If you clean spills as soon as they happen, it is easier to get rid of them and to prevent damage to your kitchen counter. For best results, use hot soapy water if possible. Make sure to rinse well afterwards.

Avoid using harsh cleaning products 

Be careful when selecting cleaning products for your wood cabinets. Avoid products that contain oil or silicone, as they can leave behind a sticky residue.

Reapply the finish 

If the finish on your cabinets is worn or damaged, consider reapplying a new layer of finish to protect the wood and restore its shine.

Store items properly

Avoid storing items directly on the surface of your cabinets, as this can cause damage to the finish and make the surface sticky. Use placemats to protect the surface.

---

HOW TO CLEAN STICKY WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS: CONCLUSIONS

If you ever wondered “how do you remove stickiness from wood?”, I hope you have found this post helpful.

Trust me when I say that I wish I had known how to clean kitchen cabinets the easy way when I first moved into my new home!

Please let me know in the comment section below if you found the recipes helpful. I’d love to hear from you.

IMPORTANT

When using Essential Oils, make sure to use only CPTG Certified, Pure, Tested Grade ones, like Doterra Essential Oils. The content of this blog post and any information provided here has not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), any government entity or medical practitioner. It is NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, illness or condition. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical counselling. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from any medical condition or illness or injury, you SHOULD consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any product.