Have you ever noticed how good brand-new cabinets look, feel, and smell? You can close the doors quietly, the smooth grain or fresh wood finish catches the light just right, and everything appears to be working fine.
You may have just completed renovating your entire kitchen or upgraded only a single piece, but nothing is going to dampen your spirits!
But the thing is that kitchen cabinets can attract a lot of mess, especially in the form of grease, mystery smudges, and fingerprints. So, how can you make sure that you keep them looking sharp and as good as new?
It is not rocket science. There are some tips on how do you clean kitchen cabinets that you can follow to keep them spotless and clean. Let’s find out what these are.
Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets: Pro Tips For You
1. Understanding the Basics
The first thing you need to do before you can get to scrubbing or spraying is to know the basics of kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind that different cabinet finishes, such as stained wood, painted, laminated, etc, have different care and maintenance needs.
However, there is one principle that is consistent across the board, which is to be as gentle as possible.
If you are going to do a routine kitchen cabinet cleaning, you can use a sponge or a soft microfiber cloth. Dampen it a bit, making sure that you do not soak it all the way, in mild dish soap and some warm water.
Slowly and gently, wipe down the handles, edges, and the entire doors at least once a week. But you can also do it more often if your cooking style is splashier!
2. Focusing on Grease
More often than not, grease is going to be the problem. After all, you may be frying chicken every other day, sautéing your veggies, or making pasta. All these dishes give off steam, which has oils, and those settle down right there on your cabinet doors.
So, what is the trick to this? How to clean grease on kitchen cabinets without scrubbing your arm off? Here is a DIY kitchen cabinet grease cleaner for you.
- 1-part warm water
- 1-part white vinegar
- A few drops of dish soap, preferably something that is often used as the best cleaner for grease on cabinets
Now, mix all of these together in a single spray bottle, shake the solution properly, and spritz on the greasy parts. That is a simple way on how to clean old doorknobs and complete cupboards. Just make sure to let it sit for a couple of minutes, before using a clean cloth to wipe it down.
If the stains are stubborn and do not come off in the first go, try again as needed. After all, this is a non-toxic and cheap solution for everyday use that you cannot go wrong with.
In addition, this grease cleaner smells like salad. But if you are not a fan of vinegar, you can always search for a professional cabinet cleaning solution that is safe for wood surfaces, as well as grease.
3. Small Details Matter
Cleaning kitchen cupboards does not just mean that you focus on the larger slabs. In fact, you would be surprised at the number of bacteria and germs that live atop your cabinet knobs and handles. But how can you clean them without causing any damage?
The first thing to do would be to take your dentist’s advice for your teeth; use a soft toothbrush. Add some mild soap and water solution to it and you are good to go. But keep in mind to avoid anything abrasive, such as steel wood, that could pull off the paint or scratch the finish.
Moreover, if your knobs can be removed, pop them off and soak them in warm water for a while before you get to work scrubbing.
4. What is on the Inside Counts Too
You may not see the interiors of your kitchen cabinets on a daily basis, but they are not out of the reach of grime and grease. Spice spills, oil leaks, and crumbs can cause a mess! But you do not have to fret, because we know just how to clean inside of kitchen cabinets.
- Empty out all the contents of your kitchen cabinets
- Use a small vacuum to get rid of debris or crumbs
- Use the same mild soapy water solution that you made above to wipe down the shelves.
- Give your clean cabinet some time to dry before you put everything back where it belongs.
But if you are looking for something a little stronger, you can always use a diluted vinegar mix, which is mainly two parts water and one part vinegar. It is an excellent cleaning solution for kitchen cabinets, especially the inside.
5. Know When to Deep Clean
You may be cleaning kitchen cupboards on a weekly basis, but that is not enough. You will need to carry out a thorough and deep cleaning every couple of months. Here is how you can do it.
- Remove all the hardware and handles and clean them
- Wipe down the front, sides, as well as the undersides
- Degrease the kitchen cabinets completely, which also includes the top. This is where the grease dust often settles.
- Make a checklist for cleaning kitchen cabinets to help you keep track of what has been done.
Doing a deep cleaning comes with various benefits. One of the primary reasons why you should keep up with this practice is to help you spot any signs of wear and tear early on. This includes water damage, loosening hardware, and peeling paint.
Final Word
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cleaning kitchen cupboards. However, you can maintain and extend the life of your furniture and fixtures with the help of some useful cleaning tips, like the ones we have given above.
But remember, whether you are looking to degrease kitchen cabinets or get rid of germs, the key is consistency, gentleness, and the best solution to clean kitchen cabinets.
