A clear finish can make worn kitchen cabinets easier to maintain, but the right product depends on the surface. Some wood needs cleaning before oil or wax goes on, while cabinets headed for a new color need paint instead of a transparent coat. The eight options here cover wood care, cabinet refinishing, and pantry storage that can complement a refreshed kitchen.
The Lineup, Simplified
Howard CBC012 Wood Cutting Board Cleaner 12 oz
HOWARD Wax-It-All Food-Grade Beeswax Polish
SteeLoong 75-Inch Metal Pantry Cabinet, 5 Shelves
General Finishes Milk Paint, Lamp Black
SteeLoong 90-Inch Metal Pantry Cabinet, 4 Shelves
SteeLoong 90-Inch Metal Pantry Cabinet, 5 Shelves
Itaar 71-Inch Pantry Cabinet, White
Itaar 71-Inch Pantry Cabinet, Grey
The Details Behind The Selections
A cutting board that feels sticky or carries kitchen odors needs cleaning before any new oil or wax is added. The Howard CBC012 is built for that preparation step, using coconut soap and lemon oil on wooden surfaces that may contact food. I find it more relevant to a cabinet refinishing project than the clear finishes themselves, since clean wood gives oil, wax, or paint a better starting point.
Unlike HOWARD Wax-It-All, which adds a protective beeswax layer, this cleaner removes residue and freshens the surface first. The required rinse and drying stage matters, particularly for a kitchen with several wooden boards and utensils. For a small apartment kitchen, the 12-ounce bottle looks manageable and useful for routine wood care.
Strong Points
- Coconut soap and lemon oil clean and freshen food-contact wood without treating the board like a generic household surface.
- Works on wooden cutting boards, butcher blocks, and utensils, giving one cleaner several kitchen jobs.
- Prepares well-used wood for cutting board oil or butcher block conditioner instead of leaving that work to a thick finish.
Practical Considerations
- This is a cleaner, not a clear coat, so it does not provide the visible or protective finish sought in a cabinet update.
- The board must be rinsed with warm water, towel dried, and left to air dry fully before oil or conditioner is applied.
Key Specs
Made For
This cleaner fits home cooks and refinishing projects that need food-contact wood cleaned before oil, wax, or conditioner is applied.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
HOWARD Wax-It-All Food-Grade Beeswax Polish suits a project that needs a protective finish rather than a cleaning stage.
A wax finish is useful when the goal is to enhance the character of wood without covering it in an opaque color. HOWARD Wax-It-All uses food-grade beeswax across wood, stone, metal, cement, paint, and plastic, giving it broader reach than a cabinet-only polish. I would consider it for wood cabinet trim, cutting boards, or counters that need a gently enhanced appearance and added stain resistance.
That versatility also creates a choice. The beeswax leaves a waxed look rather than the solid black coverage offered by General Finishes Milk Paint. Compared with Howard CBC012, Wax-It-All protects the cleaned surface instead of preparing it, making the two products more useful in sequence than as direct substitutes.
Well-Handled Touches
- Food-grade beeswax suits kitchen items and wood surfaces where a food-contact-oriented product matters.
- The formula works across several materials, reducing the need for separate cabinet and household surface polishes.
- Wax supports the existing appearance of wood rather than hiding its grain under an opaque layer.
- Stain resistance gives frequently handled cabinet details and kitchen wood a useful protective layer.
Compatibility Checks
- Wax changes the surface sheen, so a completely invisible result may not suit a cabinet with a very specific modern finish.
- Wood should be clean before application, making the Howard CBC012 cleaner a practical companion in a two-stage care routine.
Right Fit For
This polish fits households seeking a food-grade beeswax layer for cabinet accents, wooden kitchen items, or several mixed household surfaces.
Consider Something Else When
General Finishes Milk Paint in Lamp Black suits a cabinet project that calls for opaque black color rather than a clear wax sheen.
Not every kitchen storage decision starts with a clear finish. A tall steel pantry can solve clutter in a room where adding wall cabinets would make the space feel tighter. The SteeLoong 75-inch model stands 32 inches wide and 16 inches deep, with five removable shelves for pantry goods, dishes, or small appliances.
Its steel construction is the defining difference from the wood-care products in this lineup. I would pair the blue cabinet with natural wood shelving rather than expecting a clear finish to change its color. The gold handles add a decorative note, but the practical value comes from the enclosed doors and adjustable shelf positions.
Features That Help
- Five removable shelves let storage zones change as bulk groceries give way to cookware or serving pieces.
- Doors conceal pantry clutter and give the kitchen a more finished appearance than open shelving.
- The steel body suits utility-focused storage areas where a painted wood cabinet might look out of place.
- Gold handles add visual contrast to the blue finish and make the doors easier to distinguish.
Size And Placement
- The 75-inch height requires a tall wall area, adequate floor clearance, and a route for opening both doors.
- Its steel construction does not benefit from cabinet wood oil or beeswax, so the finish-care products in this roundup serve a different role.
At A Glance
Who Should Grab It
This cabinet fits kitchens needing enclosed pantry storage in a tall space that can accommodate a 75-inch footprint.
Look Elsewhere When
SteeLoong 90-Inch Metal Pantry Cabinet with 4 Shelves suits households that prioritize extra height over the shorter cabinet profile.
Sometimes a kitchen cabinet does not need a clear finish at all. It needs a new color, and General Finishes Milk Paint in Lamp Black gives wood, metal, and other properly prepared surfaces an opaque black finish. The water-based formula is designed for furniture and works for interior or exterior projects, which makes it useful for doors, trim, and freestanding cabinet pieces.
Unlike the clear sheen from HOWARD Wax-It-All, this paint changes the visual character completely. The self-sealing finish means a separate clear topcoat is not required, a useful detail for a DIY project seeking a simpler finishing sequence. The honest read is that surface preparation still matters, especially on raw or previously finished wood.
Where It Helps
- Lamp black creates a decisive color change that hides the original cabinet finish more thoroughly than wax or oil.
- The self-sealing formula removes the need for a separate clear topcoat, simplifying the application sequence.
- Interior and exterior suitability broadens the project possibilities beyond standard indoor kitchen cabinetry.
Surface Preparation
- This is an opaque paint rather than a transparent finish, so it does not preserve the original wood color.
- Raw wood and previously finished surfaces require appropriate preparation before application for dependable adhesion.
Feature Snapshot
Built With In Mind
This paint fits DIY decorators and furniture restorers who want an opaque black cabinet finish with a self-sealing application.
Another Choice May Suit
HOWARD Wax-It-All Food-Grade Beeswax Polish better fits a wood cabinet detail that needs enhanced grain rather than a new black color.
The SteeLoong 90-inch cabinet uses extra height to create a narrow, enclosed storage tower for a kitchen with a tall available wall. It stands 32 inches wide and 16 inches deep, with four adjustable shelves behind black doors and gold handles. That profile fits neatly beside a refrigerator or in an open dining area where visible clutter would be distracting.
Compared with the 75-inch SteeLoong cabinet, this model trades one shelf for 15 additional inches of height. The result can be more practical for tall bottles and stacked containers, though the number of separate storage levels is slightly lower. It arrives in two packages, so access to the assembly area and a clear staging path matter.
Why It Works Well
- The 90-inch height makes better use of vertical space above a lower cabinet or appliance.
- Four adjustable shelves create flexible positions for dry goods, cookware, and serving pieces.
- Enclosed doors provide visual order while the steel body suits a practical pantry zone.
Shelf Configuration
- Four shelves offer fewer separate levels than the similarly sized five-shelf SteeLoong model.
- The cabinet ships in two packages, so both sections and the intended assembly location need adequate room.
Best Suited To
This cabinet fits households with a tall wall opening and a need for an enclosed, vertically oriented pantry.
Reach For A Different Pick When
SteeLoong 90-Inch Metal Pantry Cabinet with 5 Shelves suits the same footprint with a preference for one more adjustable storage level.
The green SteeLoong cabinet combines the same 90-by-32-by-16-inch footprint as the four-shelf model with an extra adjustable shelf. For a family that sorts pantry goods by type, that additional level can reduce crowding without widening the cabinet. Four gold handles give the double-door front a balanced appearance, while the steel body keeps the design practical.
This is the more flexible of the two 90-inch SteeLoong cabinets. Compared with the four-shelf version, the extra shelf creates another organization point rather than a fundamentally different footprint. In a dining room or kitchen where the cabinet acts as a visual anchor, I would also prefer the green finish because it reads more deliberately than plain utility black.
The Good Stuff
- Five adjustable shelves provide more organization options than the four-shelf 90-inch version.
- The 32-inch width and 16-inch depth preserve a relatively narrow profile within a 90-inch height.
- Removable shelves can be repositioned as pantry contents change.
- Green doors and four gold handles create a more decorative finish than the all-black cabinet.
Footprint And Handling
- The cabinet ships in two packages, making room for assembly and temporary storage important.
Technical Highlights
Who Will Love This
This cabinet fits organized households that want a tall steel pantry with several adjustable levels and a decorative green finish.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
SteeLoong 90-Inch Metal Pantry Cabinet with 4 Shelves better fits a preference for a black exterior and fewer shelf levels.
The Itaar pantry cabinet brings several convenience features into a comparatively narrow 47.2-inch-wide format. At 71 inches tall, it combines a charging station, LED lighting, a microwave stand, and a three-tier storage cart with enclosed cabinet space. I would consider it for a dining room that doubles as a coffee station or for a kitchen needing a dedicated appliance nook.
Unlike the narrow SteeLoong steel cabinet, the Itaar combines appliance support with conventional cabinet compartments. Inside are one drawer, three door shelves, and three double-door compartments. The white finish suits a bright room, although the amount of internal organization depends heavily on the dimensions of the appliances and dishes being stored.
Standout Benefits
- The charging station adds a practical power location near stored phones, tablets, or other everyday electronics.
- LED lighting improves visibility inside the cabinet and around its work areas.
- A microwave stand combines appliance placement with pantry storage instead of requiring a separate table.
- Three door shelves, three double-door compartments, one drawer, and a three-tier cart create several storage types.
Space Planning
- The 47.2-inch width suits a narrower wall better than Itaar 71-Inch Pantry Cabinet with 2 Drawers, which is 59 inches wide.
- The microwave stand, charging area, and cart need appliance dimensions and clear access paths planned before assembly.
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
This pantry fits apartment kitchens and dining rooms that need charging, lighting, microwave placement, and cabinet storage in one footprint.
Swap It Out When
Itaar 71-Inch Pantry Cabinet with 2 Drawers suits a wider wall and a household that needs more drawers and door shelving.
The grey Itaar cabinet expands the storage layout of the white version while adding 11.8 inches of width. At 59 inches across and 71 inches tall, it offers two drawers, four door shelves, four double-door compartments, and a three-tier cart. The charging station and LED lighting make it function as a kitchen service center rather than a simple storage cupboard.
Compared with Itaar 71-Inch Pantry Cabinet, White, this model trades a smaller footprint for more drawers and storage zones. I prefer it for a dining room with a generous wall, especially when a microwave, glassware, and charging devices all need dedicated space. The grey finish gives the unit a more grounded appearance than white cabinetry in a busy eating area.
Real Benefits
- Two drawers add pull-out storage for small utensils or items that are easier to reach than the upper shelves.
- Four door shelves and four double-door compartments create a larger organized interior than the 47.2-inch-wide model.
- The three-tier cart separates frequently moved items from the fixed cabinet storage.
- A charging station and LED lighting support a dining room used for everyday device charging and food preparation.
- The 59-inch width makes the extra storage practical for a room that can accommodate a broad cabinet footprint.
Component Layout
- The wider 59-inch footprint requires more wall and floor clearance than the white Itaar model.
- Planning space around the microwave stand, charging station, drawers, and cart is important for smooth daily use.
Core Details
Match Made For
This cabinet fits a spacious dining room or kitchen that needs extra storage, appliance placement, charging, and lighting.
A Better Alternative Nearby
Itaar 71-Inch Pantry Cabinet, White better fits a narrower wall where preserving open floor space matters more than extra drawers.
What Matters Before Changing a Kitchen Cabinet Finish
Start with the surface
A clear wax, cleaning product, and opaque paint solve different problems. Wood that only needs cleaning and a refreshed sheen works with a product such as Howard CBC012 followed by a compatible conditioner. Cabinet doors headed for black or another solid color call for paint, not wax. Existing painted or metal surfaces need a compatibility check before any new coating is added.
Decide between color and clarity
Opaque milk paint changes the cabinet’s appearance completely, while clear wax retains more of the wood’s character. A clear finish should be selected for maintenance and surface appearance, not as a method of hiding a tired color. In a kitchen where cabinet doors are mixed with appliances, the finish also needs to coordinate visually with the surrounding metal, painted trim, and counters.
Check the project area
Wood projects need enough space for cleaning, sanding when repainting, application, and drying. Storage cabinets bring a different set of constraints: height, width, door clearance, and assembly space. The SteeLoong cabinets need a full 90 inches of vertical clearance, while both Itaar pantry models require appliance measurements and a clear path to the charging and microwave areas.
Match the product to the maintenance routine
Food-contact wood deserves particular attention because cutting boards, butcher blocks, and utensils encounter moisture and repeated handling. A cleaner can remove residue, while a food-grade beeswax polish adds a protective layer. Neither creates an opaque cabinet color. For a full kitchen refresh, combining the correct wood care with General Finishes Milk Paint can make the process more coherent.
Practical Choices for a Cabinet Makeover
Mistakes Worth Dodging
The most common mistake is treating cleaner, wax, and paint as interchangeable. Each occupies a different step: cleaning prepares the surface, wax adds a clear protective sheen, and milk paint creates an opaque color change. Another mistake is checking the new product before measuring the cabinet area, doors, appliances, and assembly path.
What Separates Premium From Basic
The meaningful upgrade is rarely an extra label. It is a product that matches the surface, provides the right type of finish, and fits the available space. A self-sealing paint can simplify cabinet painting, while a wider pantry with additional drawers can prevent a crowded kitchen from feeling disorderly. The useful choice is the one that solves the actual constraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a clear coat over General Finishes Milk Paint?
No separate clear topcoat is required because the paint is self-sealing. Surface preparation still matters, particularly on raw wood or previously finished cabinet parts.
Can HOWARD Wax-It-All be used on kitchen cabinet wood?
Yes, it is designed for wood and carries a food-grade beeswax formulation. It suits cabinet accents and food-contact kitchen items that need enhanced grain and stain resistance.
What is the difference between wood cleaner and cabinet paint?
Wood cleaner removes residue and freshens the surface before conditioning or finishing. Cabinet paint creates an opaque color layer, so General Finishes Milk Paint changes the appearance while a clear wax generally retains it.
Do the SteeLoong pantry cabinets need clear finish?
The cabinets are made from steel, so wood oil and beeswax are not part of their normal care routine. Their main fit considerations involve height, width, shelf configuration, and door clearance.
Is the 59-inch Itaar pantry wider than the white model?
Yes. The grey Itaar model measures 59 inches wide, compared with 47.2 inches for the white model, and it also adds a second drawer and additional door shelving.
Final Verdict
Howard CBC012 prepares food-contact wood, and HOWARD Wax-It-All provides a clear beeswax finish for suitable surfaces. General Finishes Milk Paint serves a separate cabinet-color project, while the SteeLoong and Itaar cabinets address pantry storage rather than refinishing. The right choice depends on whether the immediate need is wood care, a new color, or more organized kitchen space.