Home > Best Recipes > How To Clean Wood Kitchen Cabinets (and the Best Cleaner for the Job) > Page 2

How To Clean Wood Kitchen Cabinets (and the Best Cleaner for the Job)

The Results of the Four Cleaners I Tested

1. Bona Cabinet Cleaner, $9 for 36 ounces

The popular hardwood floor cleaner company, Bona, makes a specific cabinet-cleaning product. I was eager to try it after reading great reviews of their floor care system and cleaner. The spray-bottle formula was too drippy for my liking, but had almost no scent (a win in my book!) and worked well on crevice and surface stains. Unfortunately, there was an apparent sticky residue on cabinet surfaces after using this product.

Verdict: Not my favorite.

2. Magic Cabinet & Wood Cleaner, $6 for 14 ounces

Unfamiliar with this brand, I was delighted to discover it was appropriate for painted cabinet surfaces as well. (You know, in case I ever get to painting my cabinets.) The spray-bottle formula (there’s also an aerosol) had a wider, even spray, but smelled the most cleaner-like to me. The thicker spray made it great for crevices and it offered a smoother finish after wiping than the other spray products.

Verdict: A solid performer.

3. Method All-Purpose Spray, $11 for two, 28-ounce bottles

Method is my favorite brand of multi-purpose spray cleaner. I use it daily for countertops. Their multi-purpose product for grease and grime stays true to their product formulas with naturally derived, biodegradable ingredients — and the citrus smell was surprisingly delightful. If you are a Method product fan, try this product, but let it sit a few minutes and prepare to scrub a little harder for stain removal.

Verdict: Works well if you let it sit and really scrub.

4. Murphy’s Oil Soap, $18 for three, 32-ounce bottles

Tried-and-true Murphy’s Oil soap has been around for more than 100 years, and it won my overall vote. It cut through the grime and grease with more ease than the other products and left a beautiful, silky finish on cabinet surfaces. The citrus scent is also mild and doesn’t linger.

Note: Do be mindful of which formula you choose if you have painted cabinets. For the concentrated formula, you’ll have the added step of diluting and applying with a cloth.

Verdict: The best cleaner of the four!