Over time, cooking oils and steam combine to form a sticky layer of grease on wood cabinets.  Many homeowners try to scrb them with harsh chemicals, but this strips away the original finish.

To safely bring them back to life, use a specialized cleaner-restorer like The Victorian House Rejvenator on a soft pad of #0000 steel wool. Apply the Finish Rejuvenator wet and even and watch decades of buildup melt away so you can wipe it away using an absorbent paper towel, leaving a beautiful nourished finish with No wax or oily residue.