Do you regularly clean your kitchen cabinets? Unless they’re covered in spills or fingerprints, you might not think to clean them as often as the countertops or floor. But a quick wipe reveals grease and grime have built up over time. Inside, you’ll likely find dust and crumbs, too.
When you cook, particles in the air settle on the cabinets, and every time you open them, dirt can accumulate inside. Whether your cabinets are wood, painted, metal, or laminate, they all need regular cleaning to avoid buildup.
General Cleaning Tips for Kitchen Cabinets
Cleaning your cabinets is easy. Brittany Greene, the owner of Happy Clean Atlanta, says you only need a little soap and water. Just mix two drops of Dawn dish soap in a gallon of room temperature water. Use a soft microfiber cloth or rag, dip it in the soapy water, and wring it out. Wipe the outside of the cabinets with it. For the inside, use a vacuum attachment to remove crumbs, then wipe it out with the same rag. It’s that simple. Don’t forget to dry your cabinets well after cleaning. If you leave moisture behind, it could cause damage, especially if the doors are closed and trap the moisture.
How To Clean Different Types Of Kitchen Cabinets
Cleaning kitchen cabinets is simple with soap and water, but the material makes a difference. Wooden cabinets should be cleaned with less water to avoid damaging the wood. Laminate cabinets can handle more moisture, but be careful not to scratch them. Painted cabinets need gentle cleaning to protect the paint. Metal cabinets should be cleaned with a mild cleaner to prevent rust. If you have glass-front cabinets, clean them carefully to avoid breaking. Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Make sure to dry your cabinets well after cleaning. This helps keep them in good shape for longer.
Painted Cabinets
Painted cabinets need a gentle approach to keep them looking their best. Magic Erasers might seem like a good choice, but they can damage the paint and leave dull spots because they act like fine sandpaper. Instead, use a soft microfiber cloth with a simple soap and water mix to clean them. If you need something stronger, you can use an all-purpose cleaner, but make sure it’s safe for painted surfaces. Being careful with cleaning tools will help preserve the finish and keep your cabinets looking great. The goal is to protect the work or money invested in making the cabinets look beautiful. Keep it simple and gentle to avoid any damage.
Wood Cabinets
Grimy wood cabinets clean up better with an oil-based cleaner because it breaks down the dirt. After using the oil cleaner, follow up with an all-purpose cleaner for a full clean. Wood cabinets also need care to keep them looking nice. Greene recommends using products like Beezwax or Liquid Gold to bring back their shine. These products help restore the wood’s natural look. Cleaning and nourishing your cabinets helps them stay in good shape. With this simple routine, your wood cabinets will stay clean and shiny for a long time. Taking care of them helps keep their beauty. Regular cleaning and nourishment are key to maintaining wood cabinets.
Laminate Cabinets
Grimy wood cabinets clean up better with an oil-based cleaner because it breaks down the dirt. After using the oil cleaner, follow up with an all-purpose cleaner for a full clean. Wood cabinets also need care to keep them looking nice. Greene recommends using products like Beezwax or Liquid Gold to bring back their shine. These products help restore the wood’s natural look. Cleaning and nourishing your cabinets helps them stay in good shape. With this simple routine, your wood cabinets will stay clean and shiny for a long time. Taking care of them helps keep their beauty. Regular cleaning and nourishment are key to maintaining wood cabinets.
Metal Cabinets
Metal cabinets are very durable and easy to clean. You can clean them with soap and water for general cleaning. For tougher stains, rubbing alcohol can help remove them. If there’s rust, use extra fine steel wool to gently scrub it away. Be careful not to scratch the surface with the steel wool. These cleaning methods help keep metal cabinets looking good. Metal can handle stronger cleaners without damage. Regular cleaning helps metal cabinets last longer. With the right care, your metal cabinets will stay in great condition. Just make sure to clean them gently to keep them looking their best.
Deep Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
Deep cleaning kitchen cabinets is like regular cleaning, but you should take everything out first. Greene suggests removing all items, then using a vacuum or cloth to get rid of crumbs and dirt. After that, wipe the inside with a cleaner. Don’t forget to clean the handles, knobs, and hardware because they get dirty from everyday use. Deep cleaning also helps you organize your cabinets and see what you have. You might find things you don’t need anymore. It helps keep your cabinets fresh and tidy. Cleaning this way helps your cabinets last longer. It also makes your kitchen feel more organized.
How Often To Clean Kitchen Cabinets
It’s best to clean your kitchen cabinets weekly. If you cook a lot, weekly cleaning keeps them looking nice. If you don’t use your kitchen much, cleaning once a month is fine. For busy kitchens, wipe down the outside of the cabinets every week to avoid buildup. Deep cleaning only needs to be done once a year, but twice a year is fine too. Regular weekly cleaning helps keep dirt from building up. It also makes deep cleaning easier. This helps your cabinets stay clean and last longer. Consistent cleaning keeps everything looking fresh.
