Cleaning kitchen cabinets ?

[Hoyt Weathers]

My kitchen cabinets were installed and finished, or VV, by my home builder about 40 years ago. I know my late wife cleaned them from time-to-time, but I do not recall what she may have used. I do not have the foggiest idea of what the finish is. The finish is a low luster, but not flat.

I wish to clean the outside surfaces of these cabinets but I do not want to attack the finish itself. I am thinking of using one of the presently available such as Orange Clean - or something similar, but I am unsure which one.

I will appreciate any helpful suggestions on this cleaning task.

Hoyt W.

[Hoyt Weathers]

My kitchen cabinets were installed and finished, or VV, by my home builder about 40 years ago. I know my late wife cleaned them from time-to-time, but I do not recall what she may have used. I do not have the foggiest idea of what the finish is. The finish is a low luster, but not flat.

I wish to clean the outside surfaces of these cabinets but I do not want to attack the finish itself. I am thinking of using one of the presently available such as Orange Clean - or something similar, but I am unsure which one.

I will appreciate any helpful suggestions on this cleaning task.

Hoyt W.

[Scott Burright]

I use this green degreaser from the Despot. Cleans cabinets nicely. It is said: Do not use Murphy's Oil Soap.

--Scott

[Patrick]

Thompsons furniture soap? I think that this is what it is called. I have used it on my antiques for years, works good and looks good.

Patrick

[B a r r y]

There are two different formulations of Murphy's. The spray bottle version is much different than the pour-out version. Murphy's even states on the label that the two are incompatible.

Which version are you talking about?

Barry

[Patrick]

Murphy's! That's what I meant, not Thompson's. Sorry about that.

[Scott Burright]

Must be the pour-out version. Note "it is said." I didn't say it. ;-)

--Scott

[B a r r y]

The spray version has silicone in it.

Barry

[Scott Burright]

I'll have to check to remember what exact green liquid in a squeeze bottle I bought to clean my cabinets. Basically some surfactant.

--Scott

[OldHippieDave]

My wife did try to clean some 30 year old oak cabinets with a cleaner and abrasive and has taken off the finish in spots where she cleaned particularly well. Any suggestions to repair these areas to match the original finish?

[Baron]

Try "Simple Green" diluted according to the label for cleaning. After that, I personally would use a furniture paste wax but I can understand people using something like Pledge. As for the "Orange" cleaners, be careful. Some finishes are known to fail after use.

Good Luck.