Cleaning a wooden kitchen without the risk of ruining it

A solid wood kitchen is an absolute indicator of luxury. But such furniture is purchased not only to demonstrate high status. A kitchen made from natural materials looks harmonious, creates comfort, and in general, being here is a seeming unity and closeness with nature. This feeling is especially appreciated in stuffy cities, where there is practically nothing natural left.

But products made from natural wood, along with a demonstration of beauty and aesthetics, call for responsibility. To preserve luxury for a long time, you need to carefully care for the furniture, not just regularly, but also using suitable cleaning products. In this article we provide a list of substances that can be used to clean solid wood kitchens.

Selection of cleaning products in the store

Surface cleaning products must be selected with extreme care. All kinds of solvents and ethers should be excluded. All this, after regular use, will eventually dry out the wood or spoil the varnish if it is applied to the surface. When choosing acceptable detergents, you need to pay attention to PH neutrality, oil, wax, and silicone content. It is not necessary to look for the entire set of qualities, but if possible, they should be taken into account. All this is important, since a kitchen made of natural wood continues to breathe even after treatment and reacts to external stimuli.

Preserving skin using traditional methods

If the method of removing grease stains using household chemicals is not for you, but you prefer folk remedies, then try the following recipes. With their help, you will not only save your headset from raids and damage, but also update it to its original condition.

1 recipe

This method is ideal for all surfaces, since the oil can be perfectly absorbed into the wood, hiding chips and scratches, while forming a protective film.

1. To begin, mix equal amounts of vegetable (or sunflower) oil with baking soda.
2. Spread the resulting mixture onto the surface with grease stains.
3. Do not wash off the mixture for half an hour, and then calmly wipe off the grease with a soft, damp towel.

Advice: do not rush to get upset if all the fat is not removed the first time. Repeat the procedure twice if necessary.

2 recipe

1. Take the baking powder and add a small amount of water until it becomes a puree consistency.
2. Spread a large amount of the resulting mixture onto the surface with greasy stains.
3. Do not wipe off the composition for half an hour, and then rinse with warm water.
4. If necessary, repeat the procedure twice.

3 recipe

1. Pour a small amount of apple cider vinegar into a glass of warm water.
2. Soak a small cloth in the mixture and lightly rub the dirty surface.
3. As a result, not a trace of grease will remain, and the surface of the cabinets will shine like new again.

4 recipe

1. Take a soft sponge and soak it in diluted alcohol or vodka.
2. Next, use this sponge to thoroughly scrub the surface with plaque.
3. If it does not remove immediately, then thoroughly wet the stains with alcohol and leave for half an hour.
4. Next, carefully rinse the composition from the surface with warm water, after adding a few drops of any essential oil (for example, eucalyptus, spruce, etc.).

Advice

: essential oils are necessary to disinfect the surface and ensure thorough care of the wood. In addition, your room will be filled with the unique aroma of the forest, sea or tropical, exotic fruits.

5 recipe

1. Take 15 g of citric acid, a couple of drops of any detergent and add them to 1 liter of warm water.
2. Soak a soft sponge or cloth in the mixture and scrub the surface thoroughly.
3. Next, wet the surface again and leave it for half an hour, then wash the surface with warm water.

6 recipe

To clean the surface, you will need the following:

• 0.2 l of water;
• 0.2 liters of vinegar;
• 0.5 tsp. citrus essential oil.

Whisk all the ingredients together and pour the resulting mixture into a spray bottle. Spray onto greasy surfaces and leave. Do not rinse off for about half an hour, and then simply wipe with a dry cloth or soft sponge.

Advice: this composition does an excellent job of eliminating plaque on any products and water taps. This method is great for eliminating grease stains on almost any surface in the kitchen.

7 recipe

1. Cut a fresh lemon into slices and rub the greasy spots with the zest and juice so that it flows down in streams.
2. Wait no more than 10 minutes and wipe the surface with a soft towel soaked in warm water.
3. Next, wipe the surface dry with a paper towel.

8 recipe

If a wooden set is dirty, a mixture of clay and vinegar will clean it perfectly. Just dilute them to a mushy state and spread them on the surfaces of the cabinets. Wait until the surface is completely dry and wash away grease and dirt with warm water.

Products using oil

In addition to oil, the product contains vinegar and alcohol. These two substances are mixed in a one to one ratio. Next, add half a spoon of essential orange oil. The mixture must be placed on a wooden surface by spraying. The solution stays on for about 2 minutes and then wipes off with a sponge.

There is a product option with a more familiar vegetable oil. Take one part of oil to two parts of soda and mix to a uniform consistency. The resulting composition is smoothly rubbed into the surface of the wooden set. In this case, oil is absorbed into the furniture, soda acts as an abrasive.

Types of surfaces and cleaning methods

A housewife thinking about how to wash her kitchen units should first determine what material the cabinets are made of. They can be wooden, metal or plastic. Each furniture set has different cleaning methods.

Attention! If you use hard abrasives on wood, this will lead to a deterioration in the appearance of the furniture.

Rating of household chemicals for cleaning furniture made of different materials

The chemistry is selected taking into account the material from which the cabinets are made. Most often, manufacturers create them from natural wood, MDF, plastic or chipboard.

Wooden furniture

Facades made of natural wood are attractive, environmentally friendly and have a high price. When cleaning these interior items, you must act carefully, otherwise you can damage the structure of the material. This is especially true for cabinets made from noble wood.

Attention! Before cleaning wooden furniture in the kitchen from grease and dirt, buy a product specially created for this material.

After cleaning, the wood is coated with wax or a special polish to protect the furniture from dust and soot. The product used to remove the fat layer should not contain silicone or acetone, as these substances lead to the destruction of the varnish coating.

It is advisable to clean wooden furniture using special wipes containing wax or flax oil. They are replaced by sprays or gels.

If a housewife is thinking about how to wash off grease in the kitchen, then the following products are suitable for wooden furniture:

1. Presto Clean - napkins that are used to wipe furniture.
2. Furniture Wax Cleaner – available in spray form.
3. Wood Reviver.

After cleansing, restoration oil is applied. These products are used no more than once a month, since excessive use of chemicals negatively affects the characteristics of the material.

MDF or chipboard

Cabinets made from these materials have a reasonable price and attractive appearance, but they are significantly fragile, so only gentle household chemicals are chosen. They can be cleaned with dishwashing liquid, liquid soap, or glass cleaner.

Typically, the following products are used to remove stains from such cabinets:

1. Mr. Muscle.
2. "Shumanit", produced in the form of a cream.
3. "Sillit Beng Antizhir."

After cleaning, wipe the surfaces dry to prevent streaks.

Plastic

Plastic cabinets are popular due to their attractiveness, affordability and versatility. They are not afraid of moisture, however, it is important to know how to remove grease from kitchen furniture so that scratches or greasy stains do not appear.

When using extremely aggressive products, the plastic changes color or breaks down. Therefore, it is prohibited to use substances containing acetone, solvent, aggressive impurities, wax and chlorine. The presence of abrasive particles that lead to scratches is not allowed.

It is advisable to use glass or dishwashing detergents for plastic cabinets. They are available in the form of a solution, paste, spray or gel.

Soap solution

Soap is a universal product suitable for any type of furniture. Regular laundry soap ideally breaks down fatty deposits on the surface and does not harm human health. The method of washing surfaces with soap is simple. You need to take a piece of laundry soap and rub it on a pre-moistened sponge. As a result of these manipulations, thick foam is formed. The foam should be applied to contaminated areas and wait until the fat dissolves. After some time, the foam can be washed off with water and then wipe the furniture dry.

Safe products and tools

A melamine eraser sponge works well to remove greasy deposits from furniture.
When trying to clean an MDF kitchen set, even from old deposits, you should not use abrasive or aggressive substances. They will damage the delicate surface. The following tools are prohibited for cleaning:

• hard brushes;
• metal scourers;
• sponges made of hard material;
• hard scrapers;
• rough rags.

Compliance with this rule will help prevent the appearance of scratches and roughness, which will irrevocably spoil the appearance of glossy facades.

It is better to use an old rag or soft washcloth. Positively proven in gentle cleaning:

• microfiber products;
• silicone scrapers;
• melamine sponge;
• paper towels;
• cotton swabs and disks.

A careful approach to choosing tools for washing and removing dirt will eliminate unpleasant consequences and preserve the beauty and newness of the cabinets.

Safe chemicals for washing MDF furniture

Among household chemicals, Mr Muscle is best suited for kitchen furniture.
To begin with, you can try to remove dirt with products that you already have in your household: dishwashing gel or glass cleaning compound. Impregnated wet wipes or liquid and laundry soap are also suitable. If this does not help, move on to using stronger household chemicals.

To understand the assortment presented on store shelves, you need to carefully read the composition on the labels. It is strictly forbidden to use the following for cleaning MDF surfaces:

• concentrated solvents;
• alcohol-containing liquids;
• cleaning abrasive powders;
• solutions with a high content of acids and alkalis.

The most effective and safe for people are: Mr. Muscle, Cillit Bang, Shumanit, etc. All of them are tested during production, so they have minimal impact on health.

A liquid or creamy detergent structure is preferable as it does not contain hard, scratchy particles.

Folk remedies for removing grease in the kitchen

Soda, vinegar and citric acid are the most common remedies for greasy deposits
. In order to avoid allergies to chemicals, you can try to wash MDF kitchen facades using environmentally friendly methods. Traditional cleansing recipes are economical and time-tested, so it’s worth trying to use them in everyday cleaning.

The most effective formulations:

• mustard powder with water until a creamy slurry forms. Cover the problem area for 10-15 minutes. Then remove with a paper towel and rinse with warm water. Mustard will dissolve fat well. Use with caution on varnish and glossy surfaces.
• ammonia with water in a ratio of 1 to 100. Pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle and spray all contaminated areas. Do not rinse, wipe dry with a soft cloth. Universal cleaning liquid, ideal for almost all surfaces.
• vinegar and lemon juice with vodka in equal proportions, add grated zest to enhance the aroma. This option is suitable for removing medium dirt from glossy white coatings. Helps get rid of mild lime deposits from hard water. Refreshes the air in the room, also eliminating unpleasant odors.
• Grate the laundry soap Place the resulting slurry on the greasy stain, gently rub with a sponge, and leave to dissolve for 20 minutes. After this, rinse thoroughly with warm water. This method has proven itself positively on matte facades.
• baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply to the treated area and allow to dry completely. Then remove with a soft brush, then wipe with a damp cloth. Has an antibacterial effect. Fights mold.

Do not intensively rub kitchen surfaces or use sharp objects when removing plaque, so as not to cause mechanical damage to glossy and varnished coatings.

Alcohol-containing detergents

Most products with a small amount of alcohol or vodka are suitable for natural wood surfaces. You can prepare your own detergent from the following ingredients:

• alcohol
• vinegar
• essential oil

Vinegar and alcohol mix one to one; you only need to add a few drops of oil. The components are mixed and added to a spray bottle and applied to the grease stain.

How to clean kitchen furniture: important to know

1. Under no circumstances should surfaces made of marble or granite be wiped with chemicals of any consistency. Ordinary laundry soap is ideal for cleaning them.
2. Once you have completely cleaned the furniture, be sure to wipe it dry. To prevent smudges and streaks from remaining on the surfaces of walls and facades, find dry towels or a microfiber cloth.
3. To cover up scratches, chips or cracks on a wooden set, rub the damaged areas with a walnut.
4. To clean a kitchen set made of chipboard with lamination, use a special scraper for glass or ceramic surfaces, and for refrigerators with enamel, use a wooden spatula with sharp edges.
5. Before you start cleaning vertical planes of plaque, lay down paper towels or even newspapers so that the removed dirt can fall on them.
6. After completely cleaning the surface, apply polish to it. With its help, dirt will clog into cracks much more slowly.

How to clean kitchen furniture using modern products?

With the advent of new technologies, new cleaning agents are being developed that can remove almost any type of contamination. The most popular of them are the following:

• Gala;
• Mr Muscle;
• Fairy.

Remember!

Each of the above brands produces a large line of products that allow you to effectively clean different materials: tiles in the kitchen, remove grease stains from furniture made of wood, plastic or hobs. Please note that there are also universal products that are suitable for any material.

There is no point in disclosing the entire list of manufacturers, since each housewife chooses her own option. Each of them is effective in its own way, you just need to choose the right one. This can be done using the following rules:

1. Before using any product, first read its instructions, as it may contain toxins.
2. If the surfaces of the kitchen set are too capricious, then do not use abrasives to clean them - purchase a thick and liquid detergent for this.
3. The ceramic hob should be cleaned with cream, as it penetrates into the first layer, gently cleaning the surface, removing scratches with its structure.
4. It is recommended to clean MDF facades and furniture with film using cleaning powders that do not contain chlorine or abrasive particles.
5. Experts advise using an environmentally friendly detergent, previously diluted in water.
6. To avoid the need to scrub the capricious surface, simply coat it with detergent and leave to dry. After this, remove the remaining dirt with a cloth and dirt.
7. Before you start cleaning the surface, put on gloves to protect your hands from the harmful effects of chemicals. After cleaning, ventilate the room.
8. To protect yourself and your children from chemicals, use mineral- or plant-based environmental products. This is an absolutely safe chemical for both humans and the environment.

An excellent way to clean kitchen units is to use steam generators. To do this, you need to fill the device with water and add detergent. The mixture, heated to 150 degrees, flows out, which allows you to quickly and efficiently remove contaminants. This is a great way to quickly cleanse, although quite expensive.

Necessary equipment

Before you start cleaning your kitchen from dirt and grease, you should be thoroughly prepared. Gather the necessary materials and tools:

1. Detergent or ingredients to make your own. It is better not to use harsh abrasive substances, especially for wooden kitchens.
2. Rags and sponges. Soft ones are better: microfiber or flannel are perfect for cleaning furniture from grease. Don't use the old ones - they will only make things worse.
3. Rubber gloves (thick).
4. Apron.
5. Unnecessary toothbrush (soft).
6. In some cases, a knife, the blade of which can be wrapped in a cloth, will save the situation so as not to scratch the surface being cleaned.

Attention! In the room where cleaning is carried out, it is recommended to open the windows.