Often, the cabinets over your oven and range bear the brunt of grease stains and splatters, taking on a sticky residue. What’s the best way to remove oven grease from kitchen cabinets? A baking soda paste can remove most stains, while more severe cases require a commercial cleaner designed for heavy grease. Learn how to clean greasy wooden kitchen cabinets to make even the dirtiest cupboards look like new.
Remove Oven Grease from Kitchen Cabinets With These Simple Steps
To effectively clean cabinets above stove, some elbow grease is required. However, using the wrong products or methods can permanently alter wooden surfaces. We’ll break down the right way to remove oven grease from kitchen cabinets with easy steps that get the job done properly.
Step 1. Mix Cleaning Paste
Just as baking soda can clean your refrigerator, a natural kitchen cabinet grease remover of baking soda and vegetable oil can remove stains. Combine 2 parts baking soda to 1 part vegetable or canola oil in a small bowl and mix until a thick paste forms. Make sure the paste is thick enough that it won’t fall off when applied to the cabinets.

Step 2. Apply Paste to Cabinets
If preferred, you can dip a rag or paper towel in the paste to apply it to the cabinets. However, using your fingers allows you to more effectively rub the paste into the wood grain. Sticky wood kitchen cabinets are often dirtiest around the knobs or handles so pay special attention to those areas when applying the paste. Dip a toothbrush in the paste to spread it throughout any carved corners or molding.
Step 3. Wipe Down Cabinets
As you remove oven grease from kitchen cabinets, stains and residue will mix with the paste and fall to the countertop or range below. Wipe down the cabinets and surfaces with a damp sponge or cloth to remove the paste and residue.
Step 4. Use a Commercial Tire Cleaner for Heavy Staining
What can you do if cleaning kitchen cabinets with baking soda doesn’t work on severe stains? Though it’s formulated for cars, Meguiar’s Hot Rims Wheel & Tire Cleaner can safely remove heavy grease from wooden cabinets. However, before applying it to the cabinet face, test a small amount on a hidden area to ensure it doesn’t harm the surface. To ensure your safety, always wear gloves when applying commercial cleaners.
Step 5: Spray Cleaner on Cabinet
Spray the wheel and tire cleaner directly onto the affected areas of the cabinet. Rub it into the surface with a gloved finger or toothbrush and allow it to sit for 1 minute.
Step 6. Brush or Scrape Cleaner Into Stains
After 1 minute, continue using an old toothbrush to scrub the cleaner into the stains and remove the grease. A plastic scraper may be more effective at removing heavy staining around carved areas.

Step 7. Wipe Down Cabinets
Wipe down the cabinet with a damp cloth or paper towel, removing any lingering grease and cleaner. Repeat the process with additional spray to remove oven grease from kitchen cabinets that have severe staining.
The professionals at Action Appliance Repair know how to maintain your kitchen surfaces and appliances. From how to clean oven glass to the best way to remove oven grease from kitchen cabinets, our experts can help!