5 Best Degreaser for Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting 2024

A dirty kitchen can become a nightmare for you as you have to use it regularly. Who wants to spend a huge time of day in a messy and greasy place? Nobody.

It is quite impossible for the kitchen if you don’t have the best degreaser for kitchen cabinets before painting.

However, buyers often get confused about which types of kitchen cleaners or degreasers to buy.

TSP substitute is used for cleaning before you start painting and a sander deglosser is used to strip out the painting. If you don’t want to sand but strip off the paint totally, then sander deglosser is a great option for you. There is another option which is heavy-duty kitchen degreaser. You can use it whenever you want.

Ever wondered about which degreasers to work to clean the cabinet properly? We are allowing you to let you know about some fantastic TSP Cleaner & kitchen degreaser with their review details!

Top 5 Kitchen Grease Cleaners – Comparison Table:

How To Prepare Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting:

Preparing kitchen cabinets before painting is very important. Cleaning is an essential part of this. Because if you don’t clean the cabinets properly, the dirt will be embedded in the wood, which will cause problems in the future.

There are many ways to clean the cabinet of your kitchen before painting. You can use a heavy-duty degreaser, TSP, or other things.

First, you have to empty the cupboards. Then, clean the greasy area of the cabinet properly. After that, let it dry and clean the cabinet with a tack cloth and vacuum. Then, it will be ready for future processes such as sanding and painting.

Why Cleaning is Important

The kitchen is the busiest and used place in a house as it is used for cooking, which is an essential part of our life. Thus, it becomes dirty, oily, and greasy. And over the years, the layer of oil and grease gets stronger. So, it is very important to clean the kitchen cabinet regularly, especially when you are going to paint it.

Otherwise, the dirt and dust will be set permanently under the painting and won’t give you the desired shiny look. That’s why cleaning is essential and should not be skipped.

Different Ways to Clean the Kitchen Cabinets:

There are several effective ways of cleaning kitchen cabinets before painting. You can use any product such as TSP, degreaser, deglosser, vinegar, soap, etc. for cleaning. They all are significant and cleans your cabinet correctly.

But it is best to know the details about these products, the using process, and what they do before start using them. Also, you must be eager to know how to clean cabinets before painting. Well, here you will find some most effective ways to clean the kitchen cabinets. Stay tuned!

a) Cleaning with TSP Cleaner

TSP is one of the best products for cleaning your kitchen cabinets before painting.  In this piece of writing, we are going to talk about TSP along with its cleaning process, pros, and cons.

What Is TSP Substitute Cleaner:

TSP is the short form of Trisodium Phosphate. It is one kind of cleaner and stain remover which is broadly used all over the world. The structure of trisodium phosphate is usually powdered or crystallized and white. You have to mix it with water before using it.

TSP works amazingly to remove the kitchen-made grease. Also, TSP is good at eliminating the mildew, molds, and heavy smoke. In that case, you have to blend some bleach with it. It works well when it is added with a little bit of household bleach.

How to Clean Your Kitchen Cabinets Using TSP [only before Painting]:

Here, we will discuss the process of cleaning kitchen cabinets or walls by using TSP. Don’t go anywhere.

Things You Will Need:

• 2 Buckets
• TSP
• Sponges
• Rubber Gloves
• Rags

Cleaning Process:

First, liquefied the TSP by using water. The best ratio for liquefying is two gallons of low-heated water for a half cup of TSP. You will also need clean water for later. So, it’s better to keep it ready in another bucket.

Then, remove the cabinet door from the cabinet. Create space for yourself as you are going to clean many doors at a time. Cleaning at a time is better because it needs some time to dry.

After that, put the gloves on as TSP can cause irritation, openings, or cuts on your hand. Then, liquidate the sponge into the mixture and wipe thoroughly. Pay more attention to the corners and areas that are close to the handle.

Later, liquidate a rag in the bucket of clean water and go over the areas you just cleansed. It rinses the TSP out and takes up the excess grease if there’s left any.

That’s it. It is so simple that you can do it all by yourself. Follow the same process for cleaning the cabinets and walls. And after cleaning, give it time to dry.

Pros and Cons of TSP:

Many DIYers use TSP for cleaning purposes. But there are some issues that you should know. Despite the problems, you can enjoy it.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Powerful and effective
• Can be used as a stripping agent
• Smells good
• Affordable and long-lasting
• Can store for 3 to 4 year

Cons

• Toxic
• Not environment friendly

b) Cleaning with Heavy Duty Kitchen Degreaser [Clean Anytime]

A heavy-duty degreaser is very effective for removing grease, oil, and other food splatters. You can use this for your kitchen cabinets, range hoods, burner grates, and microwaves. You can clean grease easily with a heavy-duty degreaser. It doesn’t leave any bad smell and helps to kill the germs.

The cleaning process of this degreaser is also straightforward. First, turn off the stove and cool it down. Then spray it to the greasy surface and wait for 3 minutes. After that, wipe it clean, and you are done.

c) Cleaning Cabinet Using Soap Or Vinegar:

Cleaning cabinets with vinegar before painting is very easy and effective. Vinegar is very effective for cleaning light layers of dust and dirt. It also sanitizes the surface.

First, take a bucket and mix the same amount of vinegar and water. Also, add 3 or 4 drops of liquid dish shop with it.

Then, take a rag and liquefied is into mixed vinegar and wipe it down. After that, rinse the surface thoroughly and let it dry.

d) Using Liquid Sander Deglosser [Sanding Alternative]:

Wall paint usually lasts for 6 to 10 years. After this period, it is wise to redo the painting. Before applying the new coat of paint, you have to remove the earlier coat and glossiness. This step is called deglossing, which is essential, and liquid sander deglosser is the perfect solution for this. It also does a bit of a sanding job.

First, remove all the dust and dirt and clean it with Tsp Substitute Cleaner or water and soap.

Then, give it time to dry. Drying the cabinets is very important. Use a cloth for soaking the water if needed.

Now, take a cloth and apply the liquid deglosser to the surface and rub it. It will help to degloss the body. After this, leave it for some time so the deglosser can sit on the surface.

Now, remove the liquid sandpaper deglosser, and you are done. You can use a dry cloth for removing it or just wash the surface.

TSP or Deglosser:

TSP is used for cleaning, especially before painting, and can be used as a stripping agent. However, it does not strip out the whole thing. That’s why it is important to paint after using TSP.

On the other hand, deglosser is used for removing the glossiness. It also does a little sanding job. Deglosser is also used before painting. It strips out the older painting fully from the wood surface, while TSP removes it partially.

Thus, you can use the one you needed before painting as per your choice. If you want to remove the paint thoroughly and don’t want to sand, you can use Liquid sander deglosser. And, if you’re going to paint afterword, then tsp will be a good option. However, many people use TSP for cleaning before using deglosser.

How To Choose The Best Degreaser:

If you want to buy the best degreaser, then you must keep it in mind that there are some considerations which should be followed before buying a degreaser. Here they are.

The degreaser should be non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-corrosive. Also, make sure that it is free from harmful chemicals and safe to use around plants and kids.

It is wise to choose a multipurpose cleaner that cleans other greasy and dirty surfaces beside the kitchen cabinet. It will be beneficial for you. Buy a powerful cleaner that can clean anything.

Buy a scratch-free degreaser. A good degreaser only needs a wipe off after applying it for a few seconds.

5 Best Degreaser For Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting – Review of 2024:

1. KRUD KUTTER PC326 PC32 Prepaint Cleaner/TSP Substitute, 32-Ounce

KRUD KUTTER is initially concerned about fast cleaning and safety. It is an all-purpose cleaner, which is an essential requirement for the best degreaser to use before painting.

You can use this product for pet stains, carpet stains, floors, kitchen cabinets, and many more. This fantastic product also dispels tough soils fast.

This product comes with a 32 oz chemical size, which cleans the surface excellently. Also, it provides impressive adhesion to the surface as well as a high gloss surface.

It is an all-purpose degreaser that is known for removing tough stains such as smoke, grease, grime, wax, dirt, mildew, etc. This product removes all of these like magic and gives you a clean and fresh surface.

Another excellent thing about Krud Kutter TSP cleaner is, it is not time-consuming at all. You can literally paint after 10 minutes, which is a big yay.

The brand itself is very concerned about safety. Thus, this product is non-toxic and biodegradable. It is also water-based and free from xylene and non-flammable.

It is prior to painting, and no sanding is required. You can use it on all paint, lacquer, varnish, and polyurethane. It is super safe for all of these.

PROS

• Remove tough stains
• Easy to use
• Non-toxic and biodegradable
• No sanding
• Not time-consuming

CONS

• Can cause fumes

2. Klean-Strip GIDDS-881056 Jasco Tsp No Rinse Substitute Cleaner Quart

KLEAN-STRIP is a tough task product that is created to persevere in your need for cleaning. This TSP cleaner degreaser removes grease, dirt, crayon, and smoke, etc.

This product required no rinsing as it contains TSP substitute. It is perfect for the fastest cleaning and preparation of the surface. You can clean it entirely just by wiping it. Another great thing about this Tsp Substitute Cleaner is that it deglosses and tends in one step.

It is used for ladders flooring and building materials, which is manufactured in the USA. You can bond this product with latex, old enamel, lacquer, varnish, etc.

This is a powerful degreaser that quickly removes grimes, grease, food stain, mildew, smoke, crayon, etc. It also dispels wax and old wallpaper paste from vinyl, wood, and metal wallpaper.

Also, this powerful product has no phosphates in it, and it kills germs. It does not harm ceramic tile, glass, chrome, and aluminium.

PROS

• Deglosses and cleans in just one step
• No rinse required
• Removes grease, grime, wax, smoke, etc.
• No phosphates
• Biodegradable

CONS

• Not found

3. Savogran 10622 Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)

SAVOGRAN is a well-known brand for degreasers which contains non-sudsing powdered TSP compound. This product is an amazing addition to your kits. Many professional people use this product regularly because of its heavy-duty cleaning.

This product uses TSP to clean the periphery correctly after using varnish or paint remover. It is heavy duty and an all-purpose cleaner. It is ideal for tough cleaning jobs.

As it is a famous brand, it has a huge fan base. Many cleaning and painting professionals have this product and use it on a regular basis for their work as it removes heavy grease and grime. It also dispels the stains of soot and smoke from the wall, chalked paint from woodwork, wall, and floors. If you mix it with bleach, it will remove mildew stain as well. Thus, it is one of the best degreasers for painted kitchen cabinets.

Caking is a common problem among degreasers. Savogran 10622 Trisodium Phosphate is also not free from it. However, this problem can be solved just by dissolving it in hot water, which is a big positive side.

However, you should have stored this all-purpose degreaser in a dry and cool place so that it doesn’t turn out into cake.

PROS

• Used by many professionals
• Heavy-duty cleaner
• Removes heavy grease, shot and smoke stain, chalked paint etc.
• Remove mildew stains

CONS

• Bad shipping method
• Often comes as a brick.

4. Krud Kutter 316492 Original Concentrated Kitchen Cleaner Degreaser 32 oz

Again, KRUD KUTTER has made a place in this review, because it’s the best degreaser for painted kitchen cabinets.

Well, we know that this brand is originally concerned about safety and cleaning at the same time. Also, this fantastic brand always tries to deliver a good quality kitchen degreaser at a reasonable price.

This water-based product is used for several uses, such as a cleaner, stain remover, and degreaser. It even removes the toughest stain easily. Also, this is non-toxic, biodegradable, and environment friendly. It is not dangerous at all for pets, plants, and humans.

This all-purpose cleaner can be used daily to remove all kinds of dirt. It works way better than any regular cleaner. It dispels grime, grease, wax, oil, dried latex paint, smoke, tar, etc., which regular cleaners usually leave behind.

PROS

• Water-based and concentrated
• All-in-one (cleaner, stain remover, and degreaser)
• Great cleaner
• Non-toxic, biodegradable, and environment-friendly
• Clean things that regular cleaners left behind

CONS

• A little pricey
• A bit underperforming

5. Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser

Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser is an ideal degreaser for the stove. It has an excellent customer rating. It also promises to deliver the finest products within time.

This degreaser can clean your kitchen like a crystal and leave your kitchen looking spotless and shiny. It has a working formula that is very fast; thus, you don’t have to be worried about the counter surface getting ruined or harmed.

It has strong foam that dispels even the toughest grease from the surface. This amazing product can be used on various surfaces, for instance, pots, pans, stovetops, oven hoods, countertops, food preparation areas, and kitchen appliances. It is safe to use in the kitchen cabinet preparation area as food cannot absorb it.

Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser also works on finished wood, sealed stone, porcelain, ceramic, glass, plastics, etc. This product will not harm the surface of the kitchen as it has a fantastic biodegradable formula. Also, this leaves a beautiful scent after greasing.

PROS

• Gives a shiny and spotless kitchen
• The counter doesn’t get harmed
• Has strong foam
• Has biodegradable formula

CONS

• Cannot dispel heavy baked grease

Buying Guide:

There are some significant things that you should consider before buying a degreaser as they are different from each other. Though the purpose is the same still, there are differences between their strength level, ingredients, chemicals, etc. That’s why it’s important to follow some guidelines before buying if you do not want to regret it later. So, here are some of them in case you need them.

Safety and Cleaning Power

Cleaning power is essential when it comes to degreasers, but you cannot ignore your hand as well. You don’t want a burned hand for the sake of a clean kitchen, I guess. That’s why buy a product that does not do any harm to your skin and cleans the wood surface well too. Also, we keep our food and all in the kitchen and why it must be healthy.

The Smell

Many of you have experienced the smell of the kitchen cabinet degreaser. I bet you don’t like it always as they sometimes contain chemicals that smell terrible and stay for a long time like a day! Well, who wants to tolerate that smell for that much of time? I bet no one. That’s why checking the ingredients before buying is a must. Check if the degreaser you are going to buy contains lemongrass or lemon or not. Try to purchase a degreaser with lemongrass or lemon as it refreshes and cleans at the same time.

Versatility

There are tons of degreasers out there in the market, and you can buy more than one for a different purpose if you want. But why waste dollars when you can get all in one? That’s why versatility is very important. There are some all-purpose degreasers, and you can definitely go for them as it will save a lot of money and the work will be done too.

So, just pick an all-purpose degreaser if you want to save money and make sure it doesn’t harm you and your pets and plants as well.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.) Can you use a kitchen degreaser daily?

It is not safe to use a kitchen degreaser daily as it might have some chemicals that are harmful to you.

2.) Is it safe to use kitchen degrease?

Yes, it is safe if you follow some rules and don’t bring the toxic one into your home. Try to use hand gloves while using the degreaser for your safety. Also, you can buy the organic one to avoid the risk.

3.) Can I mix bleach and degreaser?

It is best not to mix chemicals like ammonia, acids, bleach, etc. with a degreaser. It might create a huge problem because of its chemical reaction.

4.) Vinegar vs chemical degreaser: which one to choose?

Vinegar is a homemade cleaner and not as powerful as a chemical one. It only cleans the surface up to an extent. Thus, you can use it if the kitchen is not much greasy. But if it is or if you want to paint it afterwards, then a chemical degreaser is the one for you.

Final Thought

We are not going to advertise or take sides with any of these products. But we let you know all the information that you need. You can use a heavy-duty degreaser any time you want to clean kitchen cabinets. However, we recommend you to use the TSP Substitute Cleaner only before painting.

Now, it’s time to think of your own and choose the Best Degreaser for Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting. All of them are amazing. Just buy a good all-purpose cleaner, which is safe among them. Have an excellent cleaning.

Last Updated on September 19, 2024 by Rogers Weber

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