Some time ago, last year I think it was. I went to set up camp and discovered that my bottle of vegetable oil had tipped over and the cap came off. It was in one of my upper cabinets. You can imagine the mess it created. After all this time and trying everything I can think off, I can't get the sticky film off the outside of the cabinets. It must have been in there for a couple of hundred miles before I discovered it. The whole bank of cabinets is one solid bottom piece. That entire piece was soaked with oil. I had non skid shelf liners and they have been washed and have come clean. I just need to find out what I can do about the bottom of the cabinets.Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Last resort, I may have to replace them. That will be a chore I bet. Thanks...John

I would try Lestoil grease cleaner.

I'd try a citrus based cleaner, like LA's Totally Awesome Orange Degreaser. I've never tried it on THAT much oil, but it's cheap at dollar stores and might be worth a try.

What material are we talking about? Wood, MDF, vinyl faced particle board, melamine, etc.?

Try some hand cleaner like mechanics use (Go-Jo) or other brands. Most auto parts store have it. There is an Orange that I use that has a grit to it that should help get into the wood grain. If you use one with a grit, be careful to not rub too hard for too long as it could remove the finish.

The problem with most of the cleaning agents is they are very liquid and will soak into the cabinet. I am assuming the oil has left a sticky film on the bottom of the cabinet. What about Goo-Gone? I would try something with a minimum amount of liquid and move into something more liquid if the previous cleaner didn't work. If you make a mess out of the bottom of the cabinet you may be able to cut a piece of paneling to re-line the cabinet bottom. A cabinet shop may be able to remove and replace any parts.

Vegetable oil spill | Good Sam Community

GordonThree
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
Use an alkaline cleaner to clean up the oil varnish. Start with baking soda, and move up to stronger alkali cleaners as needed.

Clicky
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
cover it completely with a generous amount of white flour… The flour should fully cover the spill, and it should be enough to soak up the oil… allow it to sit and absorb the oil… scrap up with a plastic spatula and discard into a trash bag…

Go over the area of the cooking oil spill two or three times with Dawn dishwashing liquid, a rag and bucket of very warm water rinsing the rag with hot water often…
mike243
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
coarse ground cornmeal to soak it up then hot water with a good dose of dawn dishwashing soap original,
stubblejumper
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
Wipe down with a rag wet with varsol or odourless paint thinner then just wipe with a cloth wrung out in the sink with water and dish detergent.
notruffinit
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
OIL SPILL! Call the HAZMAT team and the EPA!! :-) I am kinda with loulou57 on this one though. The wood has absorbed the oil and you will not have a lot of success in cleaning it. Sorry.
loulou57
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
Hubby the carpenter says, sorry but you will have to replace them.
old_guy
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
kitty litter first then try Dawn dish soap if the litter doesn't get it all.
mhardin
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
I think I'd treat it just like an oil spill in the garage. Cover it with kitty litter and stir it around every day for a few days. The kitty litter will soak up the oil and then you can use a degreaser to finish up.

Oops! Just re-read the original post. He said "outside" of the cabinets. Scratch my idea.
F1bNorm
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
I'm thinking some product that will draw the oil out, like K2R. Or a homemade paste of corn starch and the strongest solvent the surface will take. Start with 70% rubbing alcohol or windex, 90% alcohol next. Just make sure the solvent doesn't damage the finish.

Let the product dry then vacuum up the powder.

Norm
love2rvcamp
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
X2 on Goo Gone

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