Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 2/25/2008

Question
How do you clean wooden oak stair railings that have oil, grime and dirt from hands and fingers without refinishing?  Our kitchen cupboards also have this problem around handles. Thank you.

Answer
Usually this is a buildup of grease which captures everything it comes in contact with.

For grease stained rails, I will usually use  a good degreaser such as Zep Citrus or Greased Lightning. Spray degreaser liberally on affected area then scrub with a plastic bristled brush. Sometimes you can let it stand for a few minutes. After cleaning with the degreaser, wash area with clear water.  You take an aerosol can of lacquer and re-spray the area to bring back the luster.

Some handrails, having a lacquer base, one finds the lacquer rubbing off and the grease penetrating the wood pours.  This can only be cured by taking and orbital sander and grinding down through the finish, or using a stripper (which is messy), then re-strain and finish.