Most people tend to focus on cleaning the big three — floor, counter and sinks in the kitchen area — forgetting other areas/facilities. Kitchen cabinets are among those needing regular cleaning too. This practical guide — how to clean kitchen cabinets — makes the entire cleaning process fast and straightforward.
Why?
Cleaning kitchen cabinets can be hectic and lousy without proper plans on how to clean inside kitchen cabinets. Besides, dirty cabinets are an eyesore and health risk as a potential breeding place for bacteria and fungal infections.
The Dirt In The Kitchen Cabinet
Food splatter, fingerprints, and watermarks are common, but tougher stains can accumulate over time, becoming hard to remove. Luckily this guide shows you how to tackle all types of dirt, including grease and sticky cabinets.
How Often To Clean Kitchen Cabinets
While the cabinets’ exterior parts require regular wiping, the interior needs cleaning after a few months. The frequency of cleaning kitchen cabinets depends on the level of usage. Busier kitchens need frequently cleaning than rarely used.
However, to maintain high hygienic standards, we recommend an inclusive method that incorporates weekly and periodic spruce-ups.
Weekly Kitchen Cabinets Cleaning
A weekly spot clean up is highly effective against food splatter, dust, fingerprints, and watermarks. Using a piece of cloth and a cleaner, wipe away the dirt every week.
Periodic Kitchen Cabinets Cleaning
Apart from the weekly touch-ups, kitchen cabinets need a thorough cleaning after three or four months. To do so, empty the cabinets, clean, rinse, and dry. Leave to air dry before replacing discolored shelf linings and restocking.
Cleaning Items
When it’s time for cleaning kitchen cabinets, please read our guide, and have the following cleaning supplies on hand.
- Several pieces of cloth or towels
- Dish soap
- Old toothbrush
- Vinegar to remove grease and fingerprints
- Warm water
- Baking powder to remove food splatter
- Cabinet cleaner
- Soft eraser to remove scuffs
The Best Way To Clean Kitchen Cabinets
Preparation
First, ensure you have the cleaning items listed above. Empty all the cabinets and put utensils on a worktop or kitchen table and remove discolored shelf lining. If you use commercial cleaners, read the manufacturer’s instructions and test it in hidden places to avoid damaging the cabinet’s finish.
Clean From Top To Down
Start cleaning at the top and work downwards. Use a dampened cloth or towel and scrub thoroughly to remove dirt and stains on the top, sides, and edges of your cabinets. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and then dry with another piece of cloth because water droplets discolor and damage some cabinets types.
Cleaning the Interior
Wipe down crumbs and residues inside the cabinet and then use a damp towel or cloth to clean the interior part. Rinse with clean water and other clean cloth before drying thoroughly with a towel or a piece of cloth.
Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets Contents
Cleaning kitchen cabinets will not be successful without cleaning its contents. Sort and dispose of unnecessary items and expired foodstuffs. Wipe and wash dusty containers and cans and then rinse and dry thoroughly, each time using clean water and cloth.
Dry the containers and cans entirely before replacing them in the cabinet. Also, leave the cabinets open for at least two hours to dry off thoroughly and fresh air.
How To Clean Kitchen Cabinets Grease
At times grease accumulates, becomes sticky and hard to remove with ordinary cleaning soap, and how to clean sticky grease off kitchen cabinets guide is crucial. Avoid scraping; instead, use degreasing agents — commercial grease remover or baking soda paste.
Commercial grease remover is effective but costly. Spray on the sticky substance, let it penetrate for about 5 minutes, and scrub repeatedly. Alternatively, mix baking soda and water into a paste. Use the paste and a soft-bristle brush to scrub the area.
After repeatedly scrubbing, wipe away the surface with a piece of cloth. Next, wash the cabinets’ surface with warm water and dish soap. Finish cleaning greasy kitchen cabinets by rinsing and drying thoroughly.
How To Clean Kitchen Cabinets Types
As you adopt the above procedure on how to clean kitchen cabinets, not all cabinets are made of the same material or have the same finish. Also, cleaners react differently to different cabinets types.
The best way to clean cabinets is to consider cabinets type, hardware, and sticky grease and stain. After all, what works best for a metal cabinet may not work for wooden or laminate types.
How To Clean Cabinet Hardware
Mix an equal proportion of vinegar and warm water on a cleaning basin. Dip a piece of cloth in the solution and scrub the knobs, pulls, and handles. Scrub also the surrounding wood and crevices. And whenever possible, unscrew them from the cabinets, clean, and then replace them.
Let’s also look at how to clean cabinet hinges. Cabinet hinges also accumulate dirt and grime, hence remove them for cleanings. Add a little dish soap to warm water in a basin. If the hinges have tough dirt, add vinegar or baking soda to the mix. Soak the hinges in the mixture for a few minutes.
Scrub the hinges vigorously with an old toothbrush rinse with clean water before drying with a towel or piece of cloth. Set them on a piece of cloth to dry completely before reinstalling.
How To Clean Wood Cabinets
First, check If the cabinet has grease, then deal with it; otherwise, use the procedure below on how to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers when cleaning wood kitchen cabinets.
Remove the grease with either a commercial cleaner or a homemade cleaning solution. Vinegar is commonly used to remove stains when cleaning wood kit cabinets. Mix an equal proportion of warm water and vinegar and put it in a spray bottle.
Spray the cabinets to form a mist and leave it for about five minutes, and then wipe clean with a piece of cloth or towel. For sticky greases, add dish soap to the vinegar solution. Spray the cabinets with a fine mist and scrub thoroughly with a piece of cloth.
After removing the greases, clean sticky wood cabinets this way. Have a wood cabinet cleaner, several pieces of cloth, and an old toothbrush.
- Dampen a piece of cloth in a cleaner and wipe the exterior, including doors and drawers
- Wipe the hardware
- Wipe the interior part
- Dip a toothbrush in a cleaner and scrub the hardware and crevices.
- Wipe the inner part of the cabinet’s door and drawers.
- Use another piece of clean cloth and water to rinse.
- Use a dry cloth or towel to dry all surfaces thoroughly.
For stubborn stains like syrup and chocolate, make a paste of salt and vinegar. Apply on the stained area and scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Rinse with clean water and then dry thoroughly. The above procedure works perfectly, even when cleaning hardwood cabinets.
How To Clean Painted Cabinets
Knowing how to clean painted kitchen cabinets prevents scraping or abrasion of paints. Cleaning painted cabinets require mild cleaners or baking soda paste. Dampen a piece of cloth with a cleaner and wipe the painted cabinets gently.
On stained spots, apply the cleaner and leave it for a few minutes and then brush gently. Rinse with clean water and dry. Grease also sticks on painted cabinets and should not be scraped off. Dampen a piece of cloth with diluted ammonia and gently wipe the grease repeatedly until it clears off.
Cleaning Glass Cabinets
Cleaning glass or mirror features is also essential, and a commercial glass cleaner works best. Spray the cleaner onto a paper towel or lint-free cloth and then use it to wipe mirror insets or glass. Avoid spraying directly onto the glass as the commercial cleaner can seep into other parts of the cabinets, causing discoloration and damages.
To remove stains in glass, mix liquid dish soap with warm water. Use a towel or cloth to wipe down grime, spills, and dried-on foodstuffs with the warm soapy water. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly
How To Clean metallic Kitchen Cabinets
Metallic cabinets have painted varnish; hence cleaning is similar to other painted cabinets.
- Mix liquid dish soap with warm water and use a towel or cloth to wipe down the surfaces.
- Use rubbing alcohol to remove sticky grime and grease. Apply some alcohol on a cloth or towel and scrub gently until it clears.
- Rub gently with fine steel wool to remove rusty spots taking care not to damage the metal finish.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Dry thoroughly to avoid rust.
How To Clean Laminate Kitchen Cabinet
Laminate is friendly to most cleaners and needs little maintenance because of the tough finish that is easy to clean with these steps:
- Wipe with vinegar or all-purpose cleaner.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.
- Use baking soda paste to remove stains and then wipe thoroughly.
- Use a soft nylon brush or toothbrush to remove grease and debris at the cabinets’ seams.
- Avoid too much liquid and dry thoroughly to avoid swelling of laminate.
- Do not use abrasive scrubbers.
- Remove scuffs marks on lower cabinets with soft erasers.
FAQs Regarding Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
1. How often should you clean kitchen cabinets?
Apart from the usual wiping, kitchen cabinets need thorough cleaning. The frequency or interval of cleaning kitchen cabinets depends on usage frequency. Cabinets used heavily need cleaning more often than rarely used. But for better hygienic standards, combine both weekly and periodic kitchen cleaning strategy. Weekly cleaning removes food splatter, fingerprints, dust, and watermarks. Do a more thorough cleaning periodically after 3 or 4 months.
2. What are the common specks of dirt in kitchen cabinets?
The everyday dirt affecting kitchen cabinets are food splatter, spills, grime, oil, and grease. If not cleaned immediately, food splatter, spills, and oil attract dust, eventually accumulating into a greasy substance that becomes harder to clean. Syrup, chocolate, coffee, tea, and juice also form stubborn stains in your kitchen cabinets.
3. What cleaners are appropriate for cleaning cabinets?
There are two types of cleaners suitable for kitchen cabinets cleaning, namely commercial and homemade type. Both are effective, but the commercial type comes at a higher price. On the other hand the cost-effective homemade types consist of either vinegar or baking soda mixed with water and liquid dish soap.
4. Are different kitchen types cleaned the same way?
No, different kitchen cabinets types are never cleaned the same way. Our – How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets – guide demonstrates the best way to clean various cabinet types. This is because of the different kinds of materials and finishes used, which react differently to different cleaners.
5. Why should we clean kitchen cabinets?
While learning how to clean kitchen cabinets is important, knowing why we should also is equally important. First, dirty cabinets are not pleasant to look at as you enter your kitchen. Second, dirty cabinets are a significant health risk because dirt is a potential breeding ground for disease-causing organisms such as salmonella. The microorganisms can easily contaminate food items stored in the cabinets.
6. Why is it essential to test cleaners in hidden places?
Whether using commercial or homemade cleaners, make your kitchen cabinets clean and sparkling. However, for the cabinet’s safety, it is essential to test cleaners and read manufacturers’ instructions. Therefore, before you use any cleaner, try in an inconspicuous place and wait for about five minutes to ensure that it will not damage the cabinet’s finish.
7. What is the best way to clean kitchen cabinets grease?
At times a thick sticky grease accumulates on the cabinets and becomes difficult to clean. Even though it is difficult to clean, never use a scraper as this will damage cabinets finish. Instead, buy a commercial cleaner or prepare a baking soda paste at home.
If you are using a commercial cleaner, spray it on the grease and leave it for about 5 minutes to penetrate. Next, wipe down the grease and repeat the process until it clears.
For a homemade solution, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply the paste on the grease and give it five minutes to penetrate. After that, use a toothbrush and softly scrub the grease until it disappears.
Takeaway
Make use of this How to clean kitchen cabinets guide, and you will have orderly and pristine germ-free kitchen cabinets. It will be fun, effective, and time-saving to clean your kitchen cabinets.
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