Oily hands and greasy objects touching and leaving unsightly marks on oak doors can be frustrating. If left unchecked, this grimy residue can bring permanent harm to the doors. So how can you remove oil and grease marks from oak doors? We researched this concern for you, and here’s what we found.
Homeowners can use the following solutions to eliminate oil and grease marks and stains from their oak doors:
- Dish soap
- Mineral spirits
- Steam cleaner
Bear in mind that haphazardly using some of these cleaning solutions might do more harm than good. Continue reading as we talk about these different ways to get oil and grease off oak doors in greater detail. We’ll also tackle a method to help finish and prevent additional stains on your oak doors. Without further ado, let's get into it!
Getting Oil And Grease Marks Off Oak Doors
Different techniques exist to help homeowners eliminate oil and grease marks from their oak doors. But it’s important to mention that some products on the market may contain harsh chemicals. Using these cleaning solutions on oak doors, particularly untreated units, may cause irreparable damage.
Do a spot test on the door if you’re unsure if a particular cleaning product is unsafe to use on it. Apply a small amount of that formula on a reasonably inconspicuous spot on the door. Then, observe the spot for any adverse effects. Continue using the product if you only see positive results from it.
After taking note of those precautions, here are some ways to potentially get rid of oil and grease marks on oak doors:
Dish Soap
Generally, using a mild liquid detergent can be a gentle way of removing grimy and oily residue from wooden doors, including those made of oak.
Also, it can be a fairly inexpensive way to clean doors since many households have this cleaning solution readily available. Still, keep in mind that mild dish soap may not be enough to remove tough oil and grease stains.
If you have a mild liquid soap ready, continue with the following steps to help clean your oak door:
What You'll Need
- Warm water
- Dish soap bowl
- Soft sponge or microfiber cloth
- Additional clean towels or pieces of cloth
Step-by-Step Guide
- Mix a liberal amount of dish soap in the small bowl filled with warm water. Stir the solution until you see a substantial amount of suds.
- Dip the soft sponge or microfiber cloth into the suds. Don’t dip the sponge or cloth in the water. Otherwise, you might exceed the oak door’s moisture threshold, resulting in problems like expanding and swelling.
- Scrub the sponge or cloth onto the oily and greasy substances on the oak door.
- Remove the soapy remains with a clean towel or another piece of dry cloth.
- Wipe the door once more with another clean towel or cloth to buff the surface dry.
Check out this mild liquid detergent on Amazon.
Mineral Spirits
Take note that mineral spirits can be quite strong. Applying more of this cleaning solution than necessary may increase the risk of damaging the oak material. Also, it might not be advisable to use mineral spirits for finished oak doors. Doing so may remove the coating.
Again, do a spot check on the door if you’re unsure if using mineral spirits will damage the fixture. Plus, make sure that you work in a properly ventilated area or use a respirator while working with mineral spirits.
This solution can be fairly harsh to the senses and may cause disorientation and other health problems when inhaled.
Finally, wear long-sleeved clothing and a good pair of gloves for this procedure. Mineral spirits can cause mild to moderate irritation with skin contact.
After noting those warnings and preventive measures, use the following guide to help you remove oil and grease marks from your oak door with mineral spirits:
What You’ll Need
- Mineral spirits
- Clean cloth
Step-by-Step Guide
- Apply a quarter-sized amount of mineral spirits on a clean cloth.
- Rub and spread that piece of cloth on the oil/grease mark on your oak door.
Remember, don’t saturate the oak door with mineral spirits. Stop spreading the solution as soon as you see the oil or greasy residue disappear.
Check out this bottle of mineral spirits on Amazon.
Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner with a hose attachment can be a good way to remove oil and grease from an oak door. Steam can help remove different unclean substances from various surfaces, including oil spills. Here are the steps to use a steam cleaner to help eliminate oily and greasy residues from an oak door:
What You’ll Need
- Steam cleaner with hose attachment
- Mild soap detergent
- Warm water
- Bowl
Step-by-Step Guide
- Mix warm water in a bowl with the mild soap detergent until you see a substantial amount of suds.
- Lightly dip the steam cleaner’s hose attachment into the soap suds.
- Apply steam on the oil and grease on the door until the residue is gone.
Remember, oak has a high resistance to heat. It takes about 572 degrees Fahrenheit before an oak door catches fire. In comparison, the typical steam cleaner will produce heat up to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Despite oak’s resistance to hot temperatures, don’t apply more steam than necessary. Frequent exposure to high temperatures can still put the wood at risk of damage.
If you want to learn more about the different types of wood and their heat resistance, take a look at this post: What Type Of Firewood Burns The Slowest?
Check out this steam cleaner on Amazon.
How To Clean Unfinished Oak Doors
Unfinished wooden surfaces, especially oak doors, can be susceptible to damage from the elements. Some homeowners may like to keep their oak doors unvarnished because of the visual appeal. Still, using improper maintenance methods can cause more harm than good to the material.
Also, make sure to repair any gaps or holes on the oak door before proceeding with this job. For more information, take a look at this post: How To Fix A Hole In A Door [7 Steps To Follow]
Moving forward, here are the steps to help you clean your unvarnished oak door:
What You’ll Need
- Bucket or large container
- Household sponge
- Clean cloth
- Liquid detergent
- Warm water
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Olive oil
Step-by-Step Guide
- Fill two buckets or large containers about halfway with warm water.
- Apply a pea-sized amount of liquid detergent and mix it with a small amount of vinegar and olive oil into one of the containers.
- Dip the sponge into the vinegar, oil, and liquid detergent mixture.
- Squeeze the excess moisture from the sponge and scrub the oak door with it. Take note that the sponge should only soak the surface slightly.
- Use a clean cloth to wipe off the moisture from the door.
- Add a small amount of olive oil into the second hot water container.
- Take another clean cloth and dip it into this water and olive oil mixture.
- Wring out the excess water/oil from the cloth and use it to wipe the door.
You can also watch the video below to gain additional insight into this process. Although this clip shows how to clean an unfinished wooden table, the process to care for an unvarnished oak door should still be roughly the same.
How Do You Finish An Unfinished Oak Door?
Finishing or varnishing an unfinished oak door can help enhance the door’s aesthetics. This project also helps protect it from possible damage such as the harm brought by oil and grease stains.
Follow this guide to help you in finishing your home’s oak door:
What You’ll Need
- Preferred wood oil, stain, or varnish
- Mixing tray
- Wide paintbrush
Step-by-Step Guide
- Remove the door from its frame and set it on a clean, flat surface horizontally.
- Stir your preferred oil treatment well and dispense a bit of it on a tray.
- Dip a wide paintbrush in the oil or varnish.
- Apply long, even strokes with the oil-dipped paintbrush onto the oak door.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 to cover the entire door.
- Let the coat dry and cure before reinstalling it to its frame.
Check out this oak varnish stain on Amazon.
Final Words
Removing oil and grease from an oak door is possible by using appropriate cleaning solutions. Homeowners may take advantage of methods like using mild detergents, mineral spirits, or steam cleaners to remove the residue.