Routine Cleaning

• Keep your wood cabinets clean by simply wiping with a soft rag dipped in gentle dish soap or Murphy's Oil Soap and water, and toweling them off. The Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware website suggests this method for almost any modern wood finish. In between, wipe with furniture polish to cut down on the use of water, which can mar the finish. For shine, try lemon oil, but only on finishes more than six months old.
  
  

Deep Cleaning

• Wood cabinets soiled with a lot of dirt or grease require more than soap and water, according to the Michigan State University Extension. If a store-bought wood cleaner does not remove the layers of dirt, a solvent, such as paint thinner, may do the job. Work only in a ventilated room without open flames or pilot lights, or outdoors, the extension service warns. Read the label for directions and test a hidden spot to see if the product will damage the finish.
  
  

More Tips

• If your cabinets do not perk up after cleaning and shining, you likely will need to have them refinished, Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware's experts advise. Regular cleaning and keeping the wood dry will extend your cabinets' life and looks. Also, avoid harsh cleaners or powders that will scratch.