How to Degrease Kitchen Cabinets for a Perfect Refinish

When it comes to refinishing cabinets, preparation is crucial. One of the basic stages within this process is degreasing. The kitchen cabinets are particularly vulnerable to grease and dirt buildup on the surface. Failure to clean the surface properly will result in the grease hindering the paint or the finishes from sticking, resulting in a poor outcome. 
Here, you will learn why cabinets have this greasy surface, how to clean it, and why degreasing is essential before refinishing a cabinet.

Why Do Cabinets Get Greasy?

Kitchen cabinets are continuously subjected to heat, smoke, spatter from cooking oils, steam, and airborne particles from foods. They later accumulate at the bottom part of the cabinets, forming hard and sticky layers on the walls. Factors contributing to greasy cabinets include

Cooking Without Proper Ventilation: 

A range hood or an exhaust fan is essential because grease particles from the cooking process circulate in the air and deposit themselves on cabinets.

Frequent Frying or Sautéing:

Most grease formation will be common with high-heat cooking methods because more grease is released into the air.

Neglecting Regular Cleaning: 

In the long run, Grease layers can solidify and, therefore, become slightly stubborn to be washed away.
Not all cabinets will show grease on the outside. In places where cooking is not very frequent or where there are new cabinets, grease buildup may not be a grave issue. However, for most kitchens, degreasing is essential in refinishing the kitchen.

The Importance of Degreasing Cabinets Before Refinishing

Skipping the degreasing step can lead to several issues during cabinet refinishing:
   

Poor Paint Adhesion: 

This makes paint stick on the surface to peel or chip since grease provides a layer that stops paint from adhering properly.

Uneven Finish:

Greasy patches cause the paint to look dull, splotchy, and bumpy.

Compromised Durability:

If the surface is not properly prepared, the finish will not last as long, decreasing the durability of your refinished cabinets.

How to Degrease Cabinets: Step-by-Step Guide

When you clean and degrease cabinets to a clean, smooth finish, you provide a surface that allows the primer and paint to stick well, thus giving you a professional and long-lasting job. Here is the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

For effective degreasing, you'll need:
•    Purple Power Cleaner
•    Microfiber cloths or sponges
•    Warm water
•    A bucket
•    Protective gloves
•    A scrub brush for stubborn spots
•    Drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect surrounding areas

Step 2: Remove Cabinet Hardware

Before cleaning, it is necessary to take out all the cabinet doors, handles, knobs and hinges. This enables one to get to every point and prevent grease from hiding under the hardware.

Step 3: Protect Your Workspace

Spread drop cloths or plastic sheets on counters, floors, and other appliances to avoid contact with any degreaser.

Step 4: Create the Degreasing Solution

Always use Purple Power or any other degreasing solution for dilutions. Using Purple Power in a 1:1 ratio with water is effective for heavy grease. If you want to do a less rigorous cleaning, you can dilute the mixture even further.

Step 5: Apply the Degreaser

Moisten a microfiber cloth or sponge with the solution, and squeeze out the soap. Create a lather and clean the flat surfaces of the cabinets and doors, especially the knobs and edges. As you know, grease likes to hide there. For hard-to-clean grease, use a brush and vigor to clean surfaces to remove the grease.

Step 6: Rinse Thoroughly

After washing with the degreaser, wipe the cabinets with a damp cloth. This eliminates the cleaner remnant, which is often sticky on the surface of the plastic.

Step 7: Dry Completely

Now, use a dry microfiber cloth and wipe the cabinets as the final step. Water in any form can be a problem as it affects the primer and paint application.

Tips for Effective Degreasing

Here are the tips you can follow for effective degreasing:

Test the Degreaser

Before applying Purple Power to all surfaces, test it on a small area to ensure it doesn't damage the cabinet.

Work in Sections

Work on small sections at a time to avoid letting the degreaser dry on the surface.

Repeat if Necessary

You may need to repeat the process for a thorough cleaning of heavily greased cabinets.

Ventilate the Area

Ensure good ventilation while working with degreasers to minimize inhalation of fumes.

When Do Cabinets Don't Need Degreasing

Not all cabinets need to be degreased. Where little cooking is done, or cabinets are new, grease may not have had a chance to accumulate. However, cleaning the cabinets to eliminate dust and dirt on the surface before refinishing is advisable. For such situations, a solution of mild soap and water may be sufficient.

Why is Purple Power Ideal for Degreasing

Purple Power is perfect for degreasing cabinets as it has a fast-working solution for grease and grime, thus reducing the cleaning time. It can be applied on wooden, laminated, and metal surfaces, thus suitable for application on various types of cabinetry.

The affordable aspect of Purple Power means that a small amount will go a long way, making it an economical product for the average homeowner or business owner.
Also, its biodegradable products are environmentally friendly and a better cleaning solution for those wary of pollution's effects.

By using Purple Power, you can be assured that your cabinets are properly cleaned and prepped for refinishing by giving them a professional finish.

Conclusion

Cleaning a cabinet is one of the most important steps required to get a perfect finish on the cabinets. Failure to clean the grease on your cabinets will lead to a deterioration of the appearance and the lifespan of the cabinets. When you choose the right cleaner, such as Purple Power, adhere to the guidelines for a perfect makeover.

No matter if you are planning a complete transformation of your kitchen or just redoing one cabinet, preparation is the key. Do not overlook the degreasing process as this is the key to a professional and long-lasting finish.