I have 2 questions regarding an old house we just bought.
Although the main house is historic, the kitchen is about 25 years old. I had it professionally cleaned but the cabinet doors are very sticky/tacky around the knobs. They look to be cherry and I am thinking the finish is coming off of them? It’s not typical kitchen grease, I’ve tried Murphys oil soap etc. We are planning to paint the cabinets and do a refresh soon, but not for probably 6-12 months
Any ideas for how to make the sticky go away?
Good sources for area rugs? Particularly something that would help with sound proofing on old wide plank hardwood floors? I plan to get a ruggable for near the sink, but I want something more plush etc for in bedrooms, family room.
have you tried diluted Dawn on the cabinets? I’d try that first. Another option if the Dawn doesn’t work would be to spot test an inconspicuous spot with GooGone.
I got really nice room sized hand hooked wool rugs from Wayfair last fall. Love them! We got thick felt pads with rubber backing to go underneath, on top of wood floors. They are thick and cushy and definitely quiet.
In my area of Southern California Home Goods has the largest selection of good quality rugs. I got a 100% wool 8x10 for only $350. It has held up really well
I encounter the sticky cabinets a lot in my construction. It is the poly finish layer getting gunned up. I used a mild paste of baking soda to clean it up. That should work if you only need to get them cleaned up for about 6 months
I don’t recommend getting rugs that are too cheap. I got a runner from rugs. com for the kitchen in front of my sink and within a month or two, it already looked horrible.
Get quality rugs, especially for well trafficked areas.
Counterintuitively, you might try a little oil on the sticky cabinets. Oil will help remove and adhesive residue from tape, etc, so it might work in this too.
I was wondering about using De Solv It or Goo Gone. I just tried the baking soda that @coralbrook recommended, taking off the hardware (which was gross too). I can’t wait to see if that works, just to get us through til we can paint the cabinets.
We had a similar problem with our cabinets, about the same age - the previous owners were heavy HEAVY smokers and I think the smoke yellowed and affected the finish. We struggled to get them clean for long term. Like @coralbrook said a few months and seemed they attracted “goo” and gummed up again!
The one thing I DONT recommend is Murphy’s - i don’t know why but it seemed to not help and maybe make the gummy areas worse.
Re: rugs I also recommend Home Goods - I have bought many beautiful rugs there that have lasted 10 plus years. I like to change out decor now and then so I’m satisfied with that lifespan.
Do you have pets? That shed? Some of the thicker rugs really attract dog hair. I recently bought one of the thinner rugs and I love it - still a soft landing and I bought a nice pad - it works great!
Depends on your budget as well. Another hint. I have located rugs I liked and then searched Amazon to find the same rug much cheaper.