Different cabinet surfaces require different cleaning techniques. Whether your cabinets are stained, painted or laminate, they all need special attention. Here are a few easy tips and cleaning recipes for keeping them looking their best.
How to Clean Stained Wood Cabinets
You will want to thoroughly clean and oil your stained wood cabinets once or twice a year. Clean them with a mixture of seven-eighths distilled white vinegar and one-eighth rubbing alcohol, with a few drops of dish soap added.
Wipe the cabinets down with this cleaning mixture using a microfiber cloth. Next, rinse the cabinets completely with warm water then use a furniture oil that contains beeswax to seal the finish. This process will keep your cabinets looking new for a long time.
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How to Clean Painted Cabinets
Painted cabinets need to be cleaned with a gentle cleaner, rinsed and dried. If you use a harsh cleaner on the painted surface, the cleaner can actually remove the paint.
Instead, mix up a cleaner of distilled white vinegar and a few drops of dish soap, but this time leave out the rubbing alcohol. Try putting this mixture into a spray bottle to better control the amount. After spraying, wipe the cabinets down with a damp microfiber cloth. Finally, use another clean microfiber cloth to dry.
How to Clean Black Cabinets
Whether painted black or stained ebony, black cabinets create a chic look in a kitchen, but they do take some extra care. Every water and grease spot will show up on these cabinets as will an accumulation of dust. You should get into a routine of wiping them down at least once a week with a damp microfiber cloth. It will only take a few minutes but doing this will prevent nasty buildup.
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How to Clean White Cabinets
White cabinets provide a fresh, clean look to many a kitchen, but they also show every fingerprint and scrape. Just like black cabinets, white ones should be wiped at least once a week with a damp microfiber cloth. You should also have a small bottle of matching white paint on hand to fix chips and scrapes that are bound to show up with white cabinets.
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How to Clean Laminate Cabinets
Laminate cabinets are the easiest to keep clean because their surface doesn’t have porous wood grains that absorb dirt and grease. A damp microfiber cloth and minimal elbow grease once a week usually does the trick.
For deeper cleaning, the same DIY cleaner for stained wood cabinets will do the trick. Vinegar is a natural acid and will work to lift off stuck-on food. The alcohol cuts through grease and oil. And the few drops of dish soap help to create a mild lather for easier cleaning.
How to Clean Cabinet Handles
Areas around handles can get very sticky. The oils from your hands can mix with the finish on your wood and break down the finish. You can prevent this from happening by wiping the areas around the handles with a damp microfiber cloth. If you get that sticky buildup, you can wash it off with a gentle hand soap mixed with some rubbing alcohol.
To really get at hidden grime, it is recommended that you remove your pulls and knobs at least once a year and clean the fronts of your cabinets before putting handles back on.
How to Clean the Nooks and Crannies in Your Cabinets
Cabinets with nooks and crannies need extra care to remove dirt, dust and buildup in those tight places. You can use a microfiber cloth wrapped around a table knife to get into flat areas that need to be cleaned.
While a pointed knife will also work, just be careful it doesn’t penetrate the cloth and scratch or nick the wood. A toothpick will also work for tight corners and small crevices.
How to Clean Around the Stove
Cabinets around your stove can get spattered with grease and oil. You can clean them quickly with a spray bottle of vodka and a few drops of Castile soap. The vodka will work to cut through the grease and oil, while the soap will lift it away. Make sure to rinse the cabinets after with a damp microfiber cloth.
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FAQs
Clean With Mild Dish Soap
What is the best solution to clean inside cabinets? ›
Clean Your Cabinets with Vinegar
Empty your cabinets. Mix a 50:50 solution of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent for extra grimy surfaces.
How to clean years of grease off kitchen cabinets? ›
Start by mixing a solution of warm water and a mild dish soap. Using a soft cloth or sponge, gently scrub the greasy areas, applying light pressure to avoid damaging the cabinet finish. For tougher grease stains, add a small amount of white vinegar or baking soda to the soapy solution.
How do I clean my kitchen like a professional? ›
How to Thoroughly Clean a Kitchen: Step-by-Step Guide
- Clear all kitchen surfaces. ...
- Load the dishwasher. ...
- Wipe down the sink with dish soap or spray. ...
- Dust the refrigerator and kitchen cabinet tops. ...
- Clean the stove top and oven. ...
- Maintain proper kitchen ventilation. ...
- Clean small appliances. ...
- Clean the dishwasher.
Dawn recommends adding a few drops of detergent to a bowl of warm water for general cabinet cleaning. For stubborn areas, it says to squirt detergent directly onto a sponge or cloth while holding it under running warm water. Test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area before you commit to cleaning everything.
What is the best mix to clean kitchen cabinets? ›
The Spray Bottle System for Cleaning Cabinets
The recipe is really simple – just mix 1 cup hot water + 1/4 cup of dish soap into a spray bottle. Any dish soap will do, but for an option without harsh chemicals I like Attitude brand or Castile soap. If dealing with greasy cabinets I would use Sal Suds.
What is the best cleaner for greasy kitchen cabinets? ›
Simple solutions of dish soap and water can do wonders for cleaning away grease, splatters, and food messes. Dawn® Platinum makes cleaning kitchen cabinets So Dawn Easy! The unique formula quickly breaks down grease particles while staying gentle enough to not cause any damage.
Is Murphy oil soap good for cleaning kitchen cabinets? ›
Murphy® Oil Soap gets deep into grime to break up dirt particles and it's safe to use on wood products like cabinets.
Is it good to clean kitchen cabinets with vinegar? ›
Vinegar is a great cleaner for many surfaces, but wood isn't one of them. Vinegar is acidic, which means that, even when diluted with water, it can damage the cabinet finish.
How do you remove icky sticky greasy gunk from kitchen cabinets? ›
Greasy Cabinet Cleaning Method: Murphy Oil Soap
The method: Fill a bucket with warm water and add the popular Murphy Oil Soap. Use a rag to wipe cabinets with cleaning solution. Use a second rag to wipe down cabinets with clean water to remove any residue and leftover grime.
Solvalene, the highest strength industrial degreaser, can conquer countless tough cleaning assignments.
What not to do when cleaning a kitchen? ›
5 Kitchen Cleaning Mistakes That Could Be Doing More Harm Than Good
- Cleaning With Bleach.
- Using Multiple Cleaning Products.
- Spraying And Quickly Wiping Down.
- Not Replacing Your Sponge Often Enough.
- Forgetting To Clean Your Trash Can.
Mix 1 part any vegetable oil to 2 parts baking soda. Apply this oily paste to dirty areas using a soft cloth or paper towel. That ugly greasy dirty build-up will begin to soften and disappear. Wipe clean and buff with a soft cloth.
What are the 7 steps of cleaning a kitchen? ›
- There's a reason why the kitchen is usually first on the list of rooms in bad need of a deep-clean. ...
- Kitchen cleaning essentials. ...
- Step 1: Cut the clutter and do the dishes. ...
- Step 2: Dust from top to bottom. ...
- Step 4: Clean the countertops, cupboards, and pantry. ...
- Step 6: Clean the sink. ...
- Step 7: Clean out the fridge.
Murphy® Oil Soap gets deep into grime to break up dirt particles and it's safe to use on wood products like cabinets. Next, gather another cloth or sponge. You may also want to use an old toothbrush to get into crevices.
What is the best way to clean and shine kitchen cabinets? ›
Best Way to Shine Kitchen Cabinets
We recommend Murphy Oil Soap. The two-in-one solution is not only used for cleaning but giving your cabinets a beautiful sheen. After the cabinets are grease and dust-free, apply Murphy's to a sponge or cloth and then gently wipe the cabinet surface in circular motions.
How do you clean wood cabinets without damaging the finish? ›
Oil soap removes grease and other caked-on substances without damaging wooden surfaces. It's stronger than vinegar or a simple dish soap solution, so it's a good product to have on hand when you want to give your cabinets a deep cleaning.
