thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Mar 31, 2019 12:18:13 GMT -5
I have decided to keep my kitchen cabinets and just fix up some other stuff in the kitchen to give it some new life. However, my cabinets are grimy. I need to clean them. I have googled it and there are 10 theories out there - commercial cleaner, dawn, vinegar, baking soda, vegetable oil, etc.
Has anyone ever actually degreased their cheap veneer cabinets? What did you use? How did it work? Any advice?
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laterbloomer
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Post by laterbloomer on Mar 31, 2019 12:31:24 GMT -5
I used Vim, rinsed with vinegar and water. It worked great.
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chapeau
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Post by chapeau on Mar 31, 2019 13:09:02 GMT -5
Spic n span, also rinsed with vinegar water. But mine aren’t veneer, they’re real wood (and pretty old). My entire kitchen is “vintage”.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 2, 2019 9:07:31 GMT -5
I just bought some vim. I have never heard of it.
I also didn't know spic and span was still a product.
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chapeau
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Cabinets
Apr 2, 2019 9:39:35 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by chapeau on Apr 2, 2019 9:39:35 GMT -5
I just bought some vim. I have never heard of it. I also didn't know spic and span was still a product. I’m not sure Spic n span is still available. The beauty of a vintage kitchen is the supply of vintage cleaning products that you’re still using. And the possible asbestos in the linoleum floor, which is under two layers of carpet.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Apr 2, 2019 9:47:13 GMT -5
I've used TSP (trisodium phospate) to wash really scary grimey kitchen cabinets and walls when I was going to repaint/refinish them - BE WARNED: be careful with it - read AND FOLLOW the directions. It's NOT forgiving - it can remove the finish/paint if you are not careful. I'd be careful with spic and span and Mr. Clean - you might remove the finish on your cabinets if you make it too strong OR use too much elbow grease. THIS IS MY ADVISE: If you are NOT planning to repaint (or refinish) your kitchen cabinets - I'd probably take a first pass of cleaning with a good dishwashing liquid (I do like Dawn). I'd put a squirt of dawn into a gallon of warm water in a bucket. I wouldn't put too much elbow grease into the "cleaning" I'd let the water and Dawn do the work which means you might need to make a couple of passes at cleaning. I'd replace the water/soap any time the water got "black" or dark grey - which might be after every section of cabinets (if your kitchen is really grimey). ADDED: just read "cheap veneer" - I would NOT soak the cabinets -- I'd wipe up any runs and maybe have a wash and a rinse bucket - wash and then wipe down with rinse water and maybe "dry" with an old dishtowel - you don't want any drips or 'wet spots'. You might want to remove the handles and wash them separately - let them dry completely before replacing. I'd also buy some rubber/latex gloves maybe a couple pairs. I always manage to get water INSIDE the gloves. The dollar stores use to have them - and for the inexpensive price you can change them as needed. I'd also schedule time - it's not going to be a "one and done" project: you may want to give the cabinets a second pass of washing after they've dried from the first pass. Prepare, take time, and your cabinets will most likely come out great! ADDED: I've worked with 1940's metal kitchen cabinets (repainted with rustoleum), cleaned 30 years of grime off a 1940's kitchen (cabinets and walls) and then refinished the oak cabinetry, and cleaned 1970's era low end kitchen cabinets in a 'smokers house' - with the intent to paint them - but the painting never happened. So they were very clean but the finish was gone.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Apr 2, 2019 10:05:29 GMT -5
I just googled Vim.... I'd go gently with it - even the "liquid" kind. It looks like it's got bleach in it as well as an abrasive. You might mar the finish on the cabinets with it - especially if you apply elbow grease to the "grimey" areas (where you hand goes when you open the cabinets.)
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kadee79
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Post by kadee79 on Apr 2, 2019 10:39:32 GMT -5
I use Mean Green. You can dilute it if you need to or use it straight....spray, let it sit for a minute, wipe & see how it does.
But if your cabinets are veneer, be careful leaving any liquid on them for any length of time..it might loosen the veneer.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 2, 2019 14:55:05 GMT -5
Now I'm back to confusion. I will start with 1 cabinet and see how a few suggestions work. Maybe that will give me clarity for the rest.
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