Cabinets are the main point of practically every kitchen, so people will notice if they're unclean. The most common causes are fingerprints, food splatters, and watermarks, although stronger stains may develop over time. Fortunately, a few simple kitchen cabinet cleaning tips can help you deal with a variety of concerns, including grease stains and sticky cabinets. Use our time-saving cleaning routine that alternates between spot-cleaning and deep-cleaning to maintain your cabinets in tip-top shape. When it's time to clean, follow these guidelines for cleaning kitchen cabinets, which are adapted to certain cabinet designs. For instance, what may look well on a painted cabinet may not look good on a glass cabinet.
Before you begin, go through the procedures and double-check that you have all of the cleaning items you'll need. We utilized basic home cleaners like vinegar and baking soda for optimum ease, but it's always a good idea to double-check your cupboard. You should also be aware of the cabinet material you're dealing with. It might be difficult to tell the difference between wood and laminate, for example. If you're unsure, see your cabinet owner's handbook or consult a cabinet specialist.
When Should Your Kitchen Cabinets Be Cleaned?
We offer a two-part cabinet cleaning procedure that includes weekly and seasonal touch-ups to save time and energy.
- Weekly: Instead of cleaning down kitchen cabinets on a regular basis, a weekly spot treatment is the best method to keep them clean. Simply spritz a microfiber cloth with a multi-purpose cleaner and wipe away fingerprints, spatters, and other markings. Make sure the hardware is also disinfected.
- Seasonally: Deep clean your cabinets three or four times a year. To do so, remove everything from the cabinets. Then, using a light cleanser and a microfiber towel, wipe down the shelves, the inside of the door, and the outside of the door. Treat the corners and other minor spaces with a clean toothbrush. Before refilling, let everything dry fully.
Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinets are the main point of practically every kitchen, so people will notice if they're unclean. The most common causes are fingerprints, food splatters, and watermarks, although stronger stains may develop over time. Fortunately, a few simple kitchen cabinet cleaning tips can help you deal with a variety of concerns, including grease stains and sticky cabinets. Use our time-saving cleaning routine that alternates between spot-cleaning and deep-cleaning to maintain your cabinets in tip-top shape. When it's time to clean, follow these guidelines for cleaning kitchen cabinets, which are adapted to certain cabinet designs. For instance, what may look well on a painted cabinet may not look good on a glass cabinet.
Before you begin, go through the procedures and double-check that you have all of the cleaning items you'll need. We utilized basic home cleaners like vinegar and baking soda for optimum ease, but it's always a good idea to double-check your cupboard. You should also be aware of the cabinet material you're dealing with. It might be difficult to tell the difference between wood and laminate, for example. If you're unsure, see your cabinet owner's handbook or consult a cabinet specialist.
When Should Your Kitchen Cabinets Be Cleaned?
We offer a two-part cabinet cleaning procedure that includes weekly and seasonal touch-ups to save time and energy.
- Weekly: Instead of cleaning down kitchen cabinets on a regular basis, a weekly spot treatment is the best method to keep them clean. Simply spritz a microfiber cloth with a multi-purpose cleaner and wipe away fingerprints, spatters, and other markings. Make sure the hardware is also disinfected.
- Seasonally: Deep clean your cabinets three or four times a year. To do so, remove everything from the cabinets. Then, using a light cleanser and a microfiber towel, wipe down the shelves, the inside of the door, and the outside of the door. Treat the corners and other minor spaces with a clean toothbrush. Before refilling, let everything dry fully.
Stains on Kitchen Cabinets: How to Get Rid of Them
Your cabinets house a variety of objects and ingredients, as well as withstand regular usage. Some of the most common kitchen cabinet stains, as well as methods to remove them, are included below.
- Fingerprints: Fingerprints may create ugly markings on cabinet doors and hardware owing to their greasy residue. Fingerprints may be readily removed from kitchen cabinets by cleaning them with vinegar. Clean the prints using a dampened cloth soaked in a 50-50 combination of water and vinegar, then buff clean with a polishing cloth.
- Grease stains are particularly common in cabinets right over the stove. Cleaning grease off kitchen cabinets, on the other hand, is not difficult. You can clean oily kitchen cabinets with diluted vinegar, much like oil-based fingerprints. You may need to repeat the method multiple times to completely remove grease off cabinets since these stains are usually bigger than a fingertip.
- Splatters of food: Perhaps a splash of ketchup fell in the wrong place, or a spill on the counter spilled down to the base cabinets. In any case, clear up any food spills as quickly as possible before cleaning the kitchen cabinets with baking soda. You don't want to let the stain set in, especially if you're dealing with a porous material like wood. Wipe away as much of the residue as you can using a moist towel as soon as you detect it. Then, make a paste using baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area. Allow to rest for a few minutes before wiping away. Using a clean cloth, polish the area.
- Water stains on cabinets may be a typical concern while cleaning kitchen cabinets if you have hard water. When cleaning your cabinets, the easiest approach to avoid watermarks is to use distilled water instead of tap water.
- Scuffs: A soft eraser may be used to remove scuffs left by shoes, tables, or chairs. Rub the eraser over the blemish gently, then wipe the residue away with a clean towel. This method is extremely useful for cleaning white kitchen cabinets.
Cleaning Painted Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets that have been painted are a popular choice. They're a simple way to add fresh color and warmth to a room without having to completely redo it. Painted cabinets, like any other paint job, need some upkeep to keep them looking their best. To clean painted kitchen cabinets, use these steps:
- Mix one part water with two parts baking soda for a quick and inexpensive spot cleaning. Apply the paste to the stain, wait a few minutes, and then wipe it clean. Using a clean towel, buff off any leftover residue.
- Use a moistened towel wet with diluted ammonia to wipe grease from kitchen cabinets. Wipe the cabinet with a soft cloth until the stain has faded or is no longer visible.
Consider repainting the cabinets after a few years of use or when the paint begins to peel.
How to Keep Wood Cabinets Clean
Because wood kitchen cabinets are available in a range of finishes and coatings, determining the best approach to clean them may be difficult. Some seals are more forgiving than others, but on wood cabinets, use moderate cleansers to be safe. To learn how to clean wood kitchen cabinets, follow these guidelines:
- To clean and polish your cabinets, use oil soap like Murphy Oil Soap ($4, Target). This non-abrasive solution helps restore the appearance of your cabinets without causing any harm.
- When cleaning wood cabinets, use moist, not drenched, rags. The wood will be harmed if there is too much liquid saturation.
- Buff and polish the wood using a dry microfiber cloth. Wipe along the grain of the wood at all times.
- In high-moisture areas of the kitchen, such as immediately over the stove, keep an eye on the cabinets. These are the cabinets that will need the greatest attention since they are often exposed to steam and humidity. For these cabinets, add an additional layer of sealer.
Cleaning Laminate Cabinets
Laminate is a forgiving material. Most cleaners work well on the material, and it just has to be wiped down once a week. To clean laminate cabinets, follow these steps:
- Use an all-purpose cleaning wipe or diluted vinegar to wipe off cabinets. Using a clean towel, carefully dry the area.
- Remove stains using a paste made of baking soda and water, just as you would with painted cabinets. Allow the mixture to set into the stain before wiping it clean.
- Abrasive cleaning pads should be avoided since they may scratch the cabinet's surface.
- Scuffs on bottom cabinets may be removed using a soft eraser.
Cleaning Glass Cabinets
To make a paned door, glass cabinets are often combined with another material, such as wood or laminate. Even if the glass is easy to clean, be sure you choose a cleaner that won't damage the cabinetry around it. To clean glass cabinets, follow these guidelines:
- Remove fingerprints and other blemishes from the glass panes using a glass cleaner and a cleaning cloth.
- Open the cabinet door and clean inside as well. Individual blemishes on the front will still need to be removed, but this procedure allows you to wipe out the whole glass in one sweep.
- On the neighboring cabinet material, avoid using oil-based cleansers. They may leave difficult-to-remove residue and stains on the glass.