Cleaning & Sprucing-up Oak Kitchen Cabinets

[Doug Hobkirk]

I have a typical raised panel oak kitchen which is 18 years old. They are in quite good shape but there are several spots where the hand traffic has soiled the wood. In the past I've just used soap & water or Fantastic but I know more now and realize that Fantastic (or even soap?) might make it more difficult to rejuvenate the wood afterward.

I am contemplating using BriWax Golden Oak (a combo of beeswax and Carnauba waxes) afterward to give it more luster and a little protection. Or maybe some Sikkens golden oak stain followed by some shellac. I already have all of these. Or ???

Suggestions? Thanks

[Casey Gooding]

I would clean them with Murphy's Oil Soap & water. Shouldn't be any issues afterward.

[Chris Padilla]

We have the same in our kitchen as well except that all the oak was pickeled/whitewashed. That finish is slowing peeling away starting with the spot one's mitts touch it. I think when we redo this, we'll put some hardware to grab instead of the wood.

[Scott Holmes]

Is the finish damaged or missing from the "dirty" spots?

[Doug Hobkirk]

Is the finish damaged or missing from the "dirty" spots?
No, it's just dirty from hands.

[David Christopher]

+1 for Murphy's Oil Soap