Best Degreasers for Your Kitchen Cabinets

6 Best Degreasers for Your Kitchen Cabinets before Painting

The most visited and busiest room in your house is your kitchen. Not only is the kitchen the busiest place, but humidity is also higher in that place than in other rooms in your house. Humidity, together with oil and dirt, makes your kitchen dirty. In a kitchen, you often ...

By James Wayne

The most visited and busiest room in your house is your kitchen. Not only is the kitchen the busiest place, but humidity is also higher in that place than in other rooms in your house. Humidity, together with oil and dirt, makes your kitchen dirty. In a kitchen, you often have to touch your kitchen cabinets to take out boxes or to keep things inside. The combination of continuously touching with dirty hands, the humidity, dirt and oil, leads to grease on your kitchen cabinets over time. Here we will discuss the 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets today.

Color distortion or grease on your kitchen cabinets over the years might have led you thinking to repaint the kitchen cabinets. However, you have to remove all the grease from the surface of your cabinets before repainting. If you don’t properly remove the grease from the surface, the grease will be trapped under the paint and your paint will not give you the desired look you want.

There are many ways to remove the grease from the surface of the kitchen cabinets. The most efficient and least time-consuming way is using degreasers. Degreasers are easy to use, they work quickly, and help to remove years of grease which has dried and hardened.

There are many types of degreasers on market. It is time-consuming and confusing to understand which type is perfect for your kitchen cabinets. You don’t need to worry about surfing the internet and spend your valuable time to find the best degreaser. We are presenting the list of the 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting.

Please do check out our articles in best polyurethane for kitchen cabinets or best bonding primers for kitchen cabinets

Types of best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets

  • Heavy-duty degreaser Heavy-duty degreasers can be used both before applying painting and to remove grease from painted surfaces.
  • TSP type degreaser: TSP stands for Trisodium Phosphates. TSP degreaser can only be used before painting while preparing the surface.

Below, the list contains the 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting. The list is created with in-depth research and from users’ feedback. Happy Cooking!


Editor’s Picks: Best Degreasers for Your Kitchen Cabinets

Best home-safe usage degreaser

KRUD KUTTER KK32 - best degreaser for kitchen cabinets

KRUD KUTTER KK32

The first product on our 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting is the KK32 degreaser. It is a heavy-duty degreaser that can be used on a wide variety of surfaces to remove not only greases, but also stains like food & and drink, dried latex paint, lipstick, glue & adhesive, and many more. 

The KK32 degreaser is water-based, biodegradable, and safe for home-usage. KK32 degreaser comes with 2 types of item packaging. One packaging have 2 containers and another packaging 12 containers, with 16 Fl. Oz of degreaser per bottle. KK32 degreaser is very convenient to use. You can spray it. You can directly apply or mix with water. After applying wait a bit and then use a sponge or soft brush to rub off the grease or stains. KK32 degreaser is almost odorless, so you will not have any unpleasant experience while using this amazing product!

Features:

  • Two types of packaging. Each bottle carrying 16 Fl. Oz
  • Can be used with and without water
  • Water-based
  • Bio-degradable
  • Safe for home usage
  • Easy to use
What we liked
  • Can be sprayed
  • Almost odorless
  • None flammable and xylene-free
What we disliked
  • Might not remove carpet and adhesive from titles.

Easiest to use degreaser

Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser - Removes Kitchen Grease easily

Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser

The next degreaser on our 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting list is Goo Gone kitchen degreaser. This degreaser is a heavy-duty degreaser. The Goo Gone kitchen degreaser comes with 2 types of container packaging. One container is 14 Fl. Oz. and another 28 Fl. Oz. 

The Goo Gone kitchen degreaser is not only a sticky lifter, but can also be applied on a variety of surfaces from patio, grill, oven, tile & grout, fabric to fiberglass, and many more surfaces. You should rinse surfaces that come in direct contact with food after cleaning.

The Goo Gone kitchen degreaser is very easy to use. You can apply the degreaser by just spraying. It is foam-based, works fast, and penetrates even the toughest greases. Apply by spraying and wait 1-2 minutes. Then gently rub with a sponge or a fabric towel. That’s it! Now you will see how magically the Goo Gone heavy-duty degreaser works! Simple to use and safe at-home applications. The degreaser is also scentless. 

Features:

  • Two types of container sizes. 14 Fl. Oz. and 28 Fl. Oz.
  • Foam-based
  • multi-surface usage
  • Fast working formula. 
  • Safe to use near food prep surfaces
What we liked
  • Can be sprayed
  • No water required
  • Non-flammable
What we disliked
  • Better to use kitchen gloves for those who have sensitive skin.
  • Not recommended using on painted or varnished surfaces.

Editor’s choice

Tub O Towels TW90-2 Heavy-Duty Multi-Surface Cleaning Wipes at best degreasers list

Tub O Towels TW90-2 Heavy-Duty Multi-Surface Cleaning Wipes

Tube O Towels TW-90 is the next product on our 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting list. This degreaser is a heavy-duty degreaser with white color foam. This degreaser is biodegradable, can be used on multiple surfaces, and can also remove paint from walls. The degreaser comes with an item weight of 0.06 kg and carrying 2.08 Fl. Oz. volume of the greaser. The volume of the greaser is enough to clean a large area 40 times and cleans twice the area than any other degreasers with the comparable volume. 

It is easy to use, economic, and safe. You can use it at home. Just spray on the grease and wipe with a clean sponge or a towel. 

Tub O Towels TW-90-2 is hand safe. The degreaser contains Aloe, Vitamine E, and Lamoine. You don’t need to wear kitchen gloves while using this degreaser and, still, your hand will be clean and soft. This degreaser has a Citrus aroma. So, with no bad smell, you can enjoy your kitchen cabinets cleaning and don’t need to worry about the other hassles. Enjoy cleaning! 

Features:

  • Item weight 0.06 kg
  • Volume 2.08 Fl. Oz
  • Biodegradable 
  • Aroma: Citrus
  • Safe home usage
What we liked
  • Economic
  • Skin safe
  • Can be sprayed
What we disliked
  • The container can is slippery.

Best Environmental Friendly degreaser

Krud Kutter 316492 Original Concentrated Cleaner Degreaser 32 oz

Krud Kutter 316492 Original Concentrated Cleaner Degreaser

Another heavy-duty degreaser on our 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting list is the Krud Kutter degreaser. The product comes with an item weight of 2.6 lb and with a volume of 32 Fl. Oz. This degreaser is biodegradable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. It is also safe for humans, pets, and plants.

The Krud Kutter is easy to use by just spraying over the greases. After spraying, use a fabric or sponge to rub off the greases from your kitchen cabinets. The degreaser can be applied on multiple surfaces. It can also remove crayon, marker, lipstick, tar, tape residue, pet stains, blood stains, wine, fireplace soot, gum, dried latex paint, soap scum, and more. You can use both in-house and outdoor surfaces. 

Krutt Kuter is safe to use near food prep surfaces. This is why the product has NFS A-1 certified and meets EPA safety standards. The Krud Kutter is odor-free and leaves no adverse effect on the paints. 

Features:

  • Package with 1 item
  • Item weight 2.6 lb
  • Volume 32 Fl. Oz.
  • Biodegradable
  • NFS A-1 certified and meets EPA safety standards
  • Easy to use
What we liked
  • Can also remove grease from the skin.
  • Environmentally friendly.
  • Can be used near food prep surfaces.
What we disliked
  • You have to apply several times to remove the fat grease behind the stove which has hardened over many years.

Best fast-acting degreaser

STANLEY HOME PRODUCTS Original Degreaser - Removes Stubborn Grease & Grime

STANLEY HOME PRODUCTS Original Degreaser

The next product on our 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting is Stanley degreaser. This degreaser is biodegradable, phosphate-free, and is safe to use at home and commercially. 3 types of packing are available, with 1, 2, and 4 containers. Each container contains 950 ml of degreaser.

The Stanley degreaser can be used on multiple surfaces, both at home and commercially. It cleans up oil spills, engines, equipment & greasy tools in the garage. Helps to remove dirt, grease & grime from cookware, grills, dishes, woodwork, countertops, broilers, laundry, and equipment & tools.

Just half of the portion of the Stanley degreaser is required comparing with the other degreasers. Just apply on the grease and wait for a few seconds. In front of your eyes, you will see how effectively the Stanley degrease penetrates the toughest greases on your kitchen cabinets. No more worries! 

Features:

  • Each container contains 950 ml degreaser
  • Biodegradable
  • Phosphate-free
  • Safe for home usage 
  • Half of the portion is required comparing with the other degreasers
  • For multi-surface
What we liked
  • Works quickly
  • Phosphate-free and biodegradable
  • Minimal portion requirements compared to other products
What we disliked
  • Can’t be sprayed

Best pre-painting degreaser

Klean-Strip GIDDS-881056 Jasco TSP No Rinse Substitute Cleaner Quart

Klean-Strip GIDDS-881056 Jasco TSP

The last product on our best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting is the Jasco TPS type degreaser from Klean Strip. This particular product comes with an item weight of 2 lb and contains more than 40 Oz. of the degreaser. An item package contains 1 Jasco TSP degreaser container. 

Jasco TSP degreaser can be applied on multiple surfaces. It removes grease, grime, mildew, and food stains, crayon, smoke, old wallpaper paste, and wax from painted or unpainted wood, metal, or vinyl wallpaper. Jasco TSP degreaser has no odor, is biodegradable, and has no phosphates.

The Jasco TSP degreaser is easy to use. Mix with water with a 1:4 formula where the larger portion is water. Apply on the toughest grease on kitchen cabinets’ surface before applying paint. Then remove the grease. Simple! Now prepare the surface to apply your desired paint on your kitchen cabinets. Enjoy!

Features:

  • Package contains 1 degreaser container
  • Item weight 2 lb
  • Contains more than 40 Oz. of TSP degreaser
  • 1:4 mixing with water formula
  • No phosphates
  • No odor
What we liked
  • Biodegradable
  • No rinsing required
  • Odorless and phosphate free
What we disliked
  • Better not to use on paint with polyurethane finish.

What to consider when buying best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting

Cleaning is a very important part of your kitchen. Especially before painting, you must clean the surface of your kitchen cabinets with a good degreaser to remove all the dirt and grease from the surface before sanding and other preparations. If you don’t properly remove the grease from the surface of your kitchen cabinets, the grease and dirt will be entrenched in between the surface and the paint. This will lead the paint looking different from what it was supposed to look like.

There are many ways to degrease your kitchen cabinets. You can use a heavy-duty degreaser or a TSP degreaser. Heavy-duty degreasers can be used to remove the grease, dirt, and stains from a painted surface and while some of them can be used near preparing the surface for painting. 

Another type of degreaser is TSP. TSP stands for Trisodium Phosphates. It is recommended to use the TSP type degrease before applying the paint while preparing the surface, before sanding, and other preparations. 

What type of degreaser to choose

While preparing your kitchen cabinets’ surface before painting, please decide whether you are planning to remove the grease and dirt from the surface of your already painted kitchen cabinets or you are wanting to remove the dirt and grease as preparation before applying new paint.

If you are planning to remove grease and dirt from the painted surface of your kitchen cabinets, you must not use a TSP-type degreaser. TSP type degreaser will distort the shine of the painted surface of your kitchen cabinets. You should select a heavy-duty degreaser to remove grease, dirt, and stains from a painted surface. You can even use a heavy-duty degreaser while preparing the kitchen cabinets for a new paint job.

TSP type degreaser is best for applying while preparing the kitchen cabinets for a new painting. Apply the degreaser on the surface of the kitchen cabinets, remove the grease and, then do sanding, and other preparations. 

How to use a degreaser before painting

Select a degreaser based on your work. If you are preparing your kitchen cabinets for a new paint job, use either a TSP type degreaser or a heavy-duty degreaser

A TSP type degreaser should be used while preparing the kitchen cabinets before applying new paint. TSP type degreaser works well, quick, and kills mildews. It is powered and white. You have to mix with water and then apply on the wooden surface. The portion of the TSP type degreaser with water is written by the manufacturer at the back of the product. Follow the instruction. As TSP type degreaser has phosphates, you better use not near food prep areas, near plants, and pets. Phosphate is toxic and using it with bare hands will give irritation. You better use kitchen gloves while using this.

A heavy-duty degreaser can be applied both before and after painting on your kitchen cabinets. Heavy-duty degreasers are environmentally friendly, can be used near food prep areas, and safe to use near plants and pets. Heavy-duty degreasers are multi-purpose. You can use it to remove dirt, stains, gum & adhesive, lipstick, overpainting automobiles, and many more. Most of the degreasers have fragrances, so, while removing dirt and grease, you will not be bored. As a heavy-duty degreaser has no toxic chemicals, you don’t need to wear kitchen gloves.

How to use a degreaser on your kitchen cabinets before painting

Use TSP type or heavy-duty degreaser based on your requirement. Follow the instructions written at the back of the container. Remove everything from the inside of your kitchen cabinets and apply your preferred degreaser on the surface of your kitchen cabinets. Wait no more than 1-2 minutes and remove the grease. Give special care to the corners of the cabinets, where most of the grease gets stuck. After removing all the grease, do sanding, apply primer, then apply your preferred paint, and finally, use a top coating to help to shine and protect the color for years to come.


FAQs on Best Degreasers for Your Kitchen Cabinets

What is a good degreaser for kitchen cabinets?

A good degreaser can remove the dirt, grease, and stains from multiple surfaces and do its job quickly. It shouldn’t have any toxic chemicals, safe to use at home, safe to use near food prep surfaces, plants & pets, and shouldn’t have any bad odor.

What to use to degrease before painting?

Use a TSP type or heavy-duty degreaser to degrease before painting.

What removes grease from cabinets before painting?

Both TSP type and heavy-duty degreasers remove grease from cabinets before painting. Use TSP type degreasers only before painting. Heavy-duty degreasers can also be used after painting.

How do you clean sticky wood cabinets before painting?

After applying a degreaser while preparing the kitchen cabinets before painting, you can use both the TSP type or a heavy-duty degreaser to remove the grease and dirt from the kitchen cabinets’ surface. Use kitchen gloves while using a TSP-type degreaser. Use a sponge, soft brush, or a towel to remove the grease. Apply special attention to the corners of the kitchen cabinets where most of the grease gets stuck.

Is Dawn a degreaser?

Yes, Dawn is a heavy-duty degreaser, has fragrance, can be used both at home and commercially, and on multiple surfaces.

What is the best degreaser for engines?

Any heavy-duty degreaser can be used as a degreaser for engines.


Final thoughts

The 6 best degreasers for your kitchen cabinets before painting list is created with thorough research and based on the customers’ reviews after their usage experiences. We finally recommend you to select based on your best judgment, your preference, and the type of requirement. Try to use non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and safe to use at home. Purchase a degreaser that can be used on multiple surfaces, this is how you don’t need to purchase different types of cleaners for different surfaces and this will also help you to save money.

Our listed degreaser will help to remove the toughest grease from your kitchen cabinets thoroughly and quickly. You can use a degreaser with fragrance which makes your degreasing work fun, easy, and not making you bore. Happy cooking! 

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James is a plumber and handyman hailing from the southwest with over 20+ years of experience in his field. He has incredible knowledge on all the brands in the market and how to perform installation, maintenance and repairs of anything you need in the kitchen.

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