Have I ruined my kitchen cabinets?

[JKSea]

I'm in the first stages of a minor kitchen remodel - quartz countertop, Japanese glass backsplash, tile floor. Due to some disastrous quarters for my 401K, I decided not to replace appliances or cabinets at this time. My cabinets are 10-year-old, maple, off-the-floor Home Depot variety, in good shape but with a little grunge on the corners where you open them. Last week I decided to clean off the corners and I proceeded to do so with soap and water and elbow grease. Now the corners are sticky and my contractor - who has been pushing 10K cabinet refacing from the get-go - tells me I've caused permanent damage due to the type of finish that was used on cabinets in that price range at that time. Once sticky, always sticky, he says. Obviously I'm hoping this isn't true! But I'm leery about doing anything more without input from folks more knowledgeable than I am, and with nothing to sell me. Is there anything I can do to undo what I've done?? Thanks!!

[MakingSense]

That's poppycock! Of course you can clean them.
You probably used detergent which is petroleum-based and it just mixed into the oil-based grunge and made it stickier. You need something to break it down and get it off of there.
I tried all sorts of stuff on my cabinets which are white laminate (but I do have some painted surfaces as well) including 409 and commercial de-greasers but, one day in desperation, I grabbed the Scrubbing Bubbles from the bathroom and it got the crud off in seconds.
That stuff is made to get off mineral deposits and soap scum. Worked like a charm.

The other product I use regularly to clean greasy, nasty stuff in my kitchen is Calgon water softener which can be used in both laundry and the dishwasher. I use it in the sink to clean the grease filters in my over-the-stove hood and the grease flies out of them in seconds. They look like new with NO work.
I've made a solution of it to use in a spray bottle for use on woodwork in the kitchen near the stove and it worked well to get greasy residue that had accumulated in the details in the woodwork. It also worked well on some baskets that had been stored on some high shelves in the kitchen that had gotten icky.

I would try either of those on the inside of the cabinets to make sure it doesn't harm the finish before hitting the sticky corners.
Good luck! But you shouldn't have to replace cabinets for a little grunge for goodness sake!

[coll]

I always have luck with Simple Green, undiluted. Can't think of anything it didn't work on yet.

[MakingSense]

That's a heavy-duty degreaser. Great stuff. You do have to watch with painted or finished surfaces on wood. It can dull them. You're never sure what the components are in the finish on wood.
I've even had good success with shampoo. LOL If it can get all the built-up "product" out of your hair without messing with your color or ruining your tresses, it won't hurt finishes or take out dyes. Desperate stains, desperate measures drive creativity.
It has gotten the darnedest things off furniture in my kids' rooms, including carpets.

[coll]

When Simple Green first came out, my neighbor was selling it, through Amway if I recall. I remember her telling me how strong it was, but that you could drink it with no problem. Not that I was ever tempted to try!

[Cookiefiend]

Calgon water softener cleans the grease out of the filters in the over-the-stove hood?!!

ohmigod! I am SO trying this! I hate cleaning that thing!

Thank you MakingSense!

[mschow]

There is a site called gardenweb that has dozens of different forums for various topics from gardening to decorating, etc. It's free to sign up and post, and I have gotten great information and advice on repairing items, gardening, cleaning things, best appliances to purchase, etc. Other members post their thoughts and comments, just like on CH. They have a 'Kitchen' and a 'Cleaning' forum that you might find very useful. Oh, and one other suggestion: I use a cleaner called Greased Lightening, which is EXCELLENT for removing grease stains and also as a laundry spot remover. Here's a link to gardenweb:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/

[Samalicious]

This article addresses your situation:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4720833_clean...

[alanbarnes]

Assuming that your cabinets are natural finished wood (not painted), you haven't ruined them. Given that you said they're maple, this seems like a safe assumption. If it's correct, the finish used on Home Depot type cabinets 10 years ago is the same stuff they use today, and it's the same stuff that was used 20 years ago. It's called conversion laquer. I'd tell you more about it, but a friend has my copy of the Encyclopedia of Wood Finishing.

Anyhow, the stuff is impervious to soap and water. As a matter of fact, it's nearly impossible to remove even using heavy-duty stripping chemicals. So the stickiness isn't partially-dissolved finish, it's partially-dissolved gunk - the gunk you were trying to get rid of. As other have indicated, you should be able remove that using a detergent. Just don't use abrasives - they can scratch the surface of the finish. It will still be intact, but will be more matte than the area that isn't scratched.

[MakingSense]

I totally forgot about Kotton Klenser! This stuff may be your Miracle Worker.
A friend of mine who's an antique dealer gave me some decades ago. She buys a lot of estates and some stuff is beyond grungy when she gets its. Before she even thinks about having something refinished (which destroys the patina anyway and often ruins the value) she tries this and more often than not, the problem proves to be plain old DIRT!!!
It's gentle enough to put on with your fingers, using some 0000 steel wool, and it works like a dream.
I've bought gallons of it over the years and even re-finished an entire hardwood floor with it. Yep, down on my hands and knees, but the floor went from disgusting to wonderful for little cost but my labor.
http://antiquesupply.com/products/KOT...
It might make your cabinets look like new. I just gave a couple of pieces of my furniture a good cleaning with it and fresh waxing. They look great.

[JKSea]

Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions; I'm greatly relieved! Alanbarnes - thanks for the info, if I remember correctly, that's the type of finish my contractor referred to but claimed my applying soap & water had partially and permanently dissolved it and the only remedy was refacing. Hopefully a little more work on my part will remedy the situation. Thanks again!

[Jase]

Lots of good advice so far. But am I the only one who is concerned that your contractor basically lied to you and is trying to rip you off? I would be seriously ticked off.

[beth1]

Try Murphy's Oil Soap according to the bottle directions. And find a new contractor.