Greasy Kitchen Drawers? These 5 Simple Fixes Work Fast
I love cooking a big meal but I honestly hate the invisible mess it leaves behind. Have you ever reached for a spatula and noticed the front of your kitchen drawer feels strangely sticky? It is so frustrating. Whenever we fry eggs or sauté vegetables, tiny particles of oil float through the air and land right on our cabinets. Over time it builds up into a stubborn layer of grime. But don’t worry because you can easily wipe it away with a few simple tricks.
Warm Soapy Water
Your first line of defense is probably sitting right next to your sink. A good degreasing dish soap is designed to solve this exact problem. Just fill a small bowl with really warm water and add a few generous drops of soap. Take a soft microfiber cloth, dip it in the soapy water and wring it out so it is damp but not soaking wet. Wipe down the face of the drawer and you will feel the sticky layer start to melt away instantly. It is gentle and incredibly effective on painted wood.
A Simple Baking Soda Paste
Sometimes you find a spot right around the handle that has been gathering sticky residue for months. For those tough areas, you need a little bit of safe friction. Mix a few spoonfuls of baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. Rub this mixture onto the greasy spot with your fingers or a soft cloth. The baking soda acts as a very gentle abrasive that lifts the baked on oil without scratching your beautiful cabinet paint or wood stain at all.
A Classic Vinegar Solution
If the soap is not quite cutting it you might need to bring in some mild acid. White vinegar is a natural cleaner that breaks down cooking oils beautifully. Mix equal parts of warm water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Instead of spraying the drawer directly, just mist your cloth so you do not damage the wood finish. Gently scrub the greasy spots and watch the grime transfer right onto your rag. Plus, the vinegar smell disappears entirely as soon as the drawer surface dries.
A Quick Swipe Of Rubbing Alcohol
If you have a really stubborn layer of grease that feels almost like glue, rubbing alcohol is your secret weapon. It cuts through thick buildup faster than almost anything else. Put a little bit of alcohol on a cotton pad or a soft rag and gently wipe the affected area. It evaporates so quickly that it will not warp your wooden drawers. Just be sure to test this on a hidden spot first if you have varnished cabinets to make sure it does not dull the shine.
Fighting Oil With More Oil
This sounds completely backward but it actually works wonders on unpainted wood cabinets. Oil naturally dissolves other oils. If you put a few drops of mineral oil or even standard vegetable oil on a paper towel and rub it over the sticky drawer, it loosens the old cooking grease. Once the old grime is lifted, you can just wipe it all away with a clean cloth. It cleans the surface and leaves your wooden drawers looking polished and hydrated at the same exact time.
Related Articles
-New Study Reveals The Scary Reason Why We All Need To Wash Our Kitchen Towels More
-This Dollar Store Picture Frame Is The Only Thing That Could Actually Organize My Kitchen Drawers
-You'll Wish You Knew These Clever IKEA Kitchen Hacks Sooner
Tackling sticky cabinets is never a glamorous chore but the result is so satisfying. You do not have to spend a whole Saturday scrubbing your entire kitchen either. Just pick one small section of drawers to clean while you are waiting for your morning coffee to brew. Once you feel that perfectly smooth wood under your fingers again you will be so glad you took the time. Your kitchen will feel fresh and clean and totally ready for your next big cooking adventure.
Bliss Donahue-Power
