Is there a secret to the successful use of Murphy's oil soap?

[Paper Roses]

I have old pine kitchen cabinets. Every so often I feel the need to wash them down. They are stained and finished with Minwax poly. Here and there there a a few nicks that I must touch up.

I tried to clean them a short time ago with Murphy's and found that the product did not seen to remove shadows of spots(spatters) on the wood, especially above my stove. I'd like to find something that would remove these spots that does not say "do not use on" whatever.

Do you have any ideas?

[BainsBane]

1. Simple green is safe on anything

and works very well. It won't condition like oil soap, but it won't harm the wood either.

[Suich]

2. I agree...try Simple Green.

Use a plastic scrubber...should get the spatters off.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. If there is a polyuretane finish on the wood,

Murphy's Oil Soap is not the best choice for cleaning it, especially if yours are greasy like mine get. I use a stronger cleaner on mine to get grease off since they are also finished. It doesn't do damage, but you would want to test whatever you try in a small area first. I am not sure that you will be able to remove the spatter spots since they may be from damage to the finish. I hope that I am wrong on that.