2 thoughts - can you try some Dawn (first) and then move to soft scrub (NOT with bleach) and a little steel wool on the greasy dingy? I know you said you've tried everything - but if there is build up, you should be able to remove it "mechanically".

I have never refinished cabinets - but I can tell you that you can likely RENT a sander from Home Depot or the like, if you go that route.

Ammonia?

Ok, I got online and found some solutions. A steam cleaner and a paste made up of baking soda and vegetable oil. The steamer softeners the grime and the paste removes it. Then you have to wipe again to get the baking soda grit off. I have not tried it on the grease above the stove but used it on all the other cabinets. This works miracles on dirt and grime.

I have cleaned half of the kitchen cabinets & drawers and the difference is amazing!!!! Who knew it would take so little with lots of elbow grease!

Oh, and there is no stager.

So glad I did not sell my steam cleaner after removing the wall paper from all the walls. This little steamer removed wallpaper from 5 rooms in my house. For 59.00 this steamer paid for itself 10x over.

You've already got so far with your current process and it sounds like it's working for you. Personally, I'm not a fan of subjecting the finish of cabinetry to steam. If it gets underneath the finish, it could start lifting. I always recommended the TSP to customers looking to do the same thing. You can view it here.

TSP can permanently alter the finish of some cabinets I would not do that without testing it first.

I would be afraid to use TSP on painted cabinets.

Show us a pic please. What you call "dingy" might not look that bad and may not be worth all the hassle :)

More thoughts-

I'd contact the cabinet maker and see what he charges to repaint/touch up the worst cabinets and/or see if he has the color code so you can match it. DIY isn't always cheaper. Quality paint cost money and so do nice brushes. You mention you "hand sanding" - sure, go ahead, but I'll bet your arm will fall off before you finish. I used a $30 sander and it was worth $500 by the time I was done (I sanded my first cabinet and my arms were burning, but maybe you're more in shape than I am). My cabinets took me 4 months to repaint. But I took my time, cleaned them with TSP, sanded, primed and painted, and then let them cure. If you're not going to do it right, then just leave it alone because you could end up creating a disaster.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I am sure the dingy would not appear if I took a photo.....so. One problem is my DH installed florescent bulbs that were rated "daylight" and I told him he need to replace them with the natural lights which are not as harsh. It is like a jewelry store lighting in here. :) This probably adds to my issue of seeing every blemish and grime.

The cabinet maker is retired and that was many many years ago when they were made and installed.

I have decided to clean these suckers up, get the right lighting and move forward. The rest of the house is updated and looks good.

I am really excited the process I am using to clean them is working so well.

Try Greased Lightning spray cleaner. It's fabulous for getting gas stove gunk on tiles behind the stove and for cleaning the stainless hood. Test it on paint first in an inconspicuous area.

As for selling your house...you don't mention type of neighborhood or price, but more and more high end buyers are gutting 5 yr old high end kitchens when it's "just not their style".

How do you get the vegetable oil of the cabinets? Or is it very little? Do you have any online instructions?

Suzanne

No this is not a high end house or neighborhood.

nosoccermom

I used very little oil just to make a paste. I don't have the instructions I just winged it and it worked out great. I had to wipe down the cabinets with a wet cloth after using the baking soda paste because of the gritty residue.

Moral of this story:

I will not have a gas stove in my next house.

I will never have white cabinets again. I always hated my cabinets because they showed everything and had to be wiped all the time.

My next house will be low or no maintenance.

So interesting. Everyone loves white- I do too, to look at, but I have wood...

I pulled my tchotchkes off the top of my cabinets the other day (removing clutter through out my house) and they were gross! I couldn't even wipe off the grease/dust build up...so so gross! I sprayed them down with Glass Plus, let that sit a few minutes and that enabled me to clean them. I have know idea what Glass Plus does to other surfaces though. I'm glad your concoction worked!

practigal

I understand. Our next house will be our retirement home and we want to spend time traveling, hiking, cycling and having fun. After living in three houses with different options I know what is high and low maintenance. Not trying to have a trendy house or showplace.

I'm not sure of what it would do to painted wood, but I used Zep commercial strength degreaser spray I found at Lowe's when we were cleaning my mom's house. She was a heavy smoker, and the residue was everywhere. I had scrubbed with 409 and other cleaners already, but was AMAZED at how much grime came off with the degreaser. Luckily her cabinets were the ugly white melamine, so they could take the degreaser. I did use it on the white ceiling fan blades and it worked great.