from another bulletin board site
In Reply to: Lightening oak cabinets posted by Ranelle Turman on March 10, 19102 at 11:41:29:
:Get you rubber gloves on and wire wool and paint stripper will get the oak back to a more natural colour clean off with white spirit and then wax them with a natural wax/beeswax to a lovely natural finish. Do not use poly it only sits on the surface and does not enhance or feed the finish.
Easiest way to lighten of course is to paint. good luck