Keep it clean

By Marcia Schnedler

LITTLE ROCK — How can I get rid of the stickiness on my kitchen cabinets, especially around the knobs and handles?

Kitchen cabinets, and other surfaces, collect grease, dirt, food particles and moisture more than other parts of the house, especially around handles, knobs and pulls. It’s not always easy to remove the sticky buildup.

We went to experts at DoItYourself.com, ehow.com and other sources for these ideas.

First, determine your cabinet’s finish. It may be painted wood, metal, laminated plastic or wood-grain vinyl. Or it might be varnish, shellac, lacquer or sealer. If you aren’t certain, take a door or drawer to a paint store for an opinion.

Never use acids or powdered cleansers, steel wool, scrub brushes or anything else that might scratch a cabinet’s finish.

Painted, metal, plastic and vinyl surfaces can be cleaned with a detergent and warm water. Mix a solution of one cup of detergent (such as Dawn dish soap) and one gallon of warm water. Wash with a dampened cloth or sponge (squeeze out in the sink or a slop bucket, not back in the cleaning solution). Rinse with a damp cloth and wipe dry with cloth or paper towel to prevent streaking.

If this doesn’t cut through the residue, try the same detergent-water solution, but add 6tablespoons of ammonia. Apply, then let it set for three minutes to soften the grease; scrub the area with a nonabrasive pad, rubbing with any grain. Dry immediately.

Painted, plastic and metal surfaces may also be cleaned occasionally with a creamy liquid wax, which leaves a protective coating that retards soiling, although a hard finish in good condition might not require this step.

Natural finished wood cabinets can be cleaned with a variety of special wood cleaners, but read the label to be sure a product can be used on your cabinets, and follow directions exactly. If this doesn’t get rid of the grime, you may need to use a straight solvent such as paint thinner, which is highly flammable and toxic to breathe. Either way, test on an inconspicuous spot first.

Be sure there are no open flames or pilot lights or sparks in the kitchen or rooms around the kitchen. Open windows for good ventilation. Wear a ventilator mask. Removing doors and drawers and working outdoors, with no flames or sparks nearby, is a good alternative. Dispose of used cloths in a tightly sealed container.

If the wood looks dull to you, use a light coat of lemon oil or other furniture polish.

Older finishes like varnish or shellac can be damaged with water. It may be best to use a commercial degreaser or cleaner containing ammonia. Apaint store or refinishing shop may be able to recommend a specific product.

The areas around the handles and knobs may turn out to be damaged and worn, not just dirty. If that’s the case, you may need to refinish or paint the cupboards to eliminate the worn spots.

HomeStyle, Pages 39 on 11/07/2009