When it’s time to clean the kitchen, our focus is usually on the floor, counters, and sinks. But there’s another area that needs attention — the cabinets. Cabinets go through a lot, from accidental spills to grease and food splatters. But what’s the best way to clean them?
To clean your kitchen cabinets, vacuum away the dust and spray the surfaces with a mixture of mild dish soap, vinegar, and water. Don’t forget to also clean the trim, hinges, handles, and any glass parts. Dry the cabinets with a microfiber cloth; air drying can bubble or damage the finish.
Kitchen cabinets get dirty really fast, and the food and grease present only attract more dust, making the cabinets appear dull and dingy. Let’s take a closer look at how you can fight off these stains and make your cabinets appear brand new once again.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
To thoroughly clean your cabinets, you’ll need some essential supplies, including:
- Mild dish soap
- Microfiber cloth (on Amazon)
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Long-handled duster (on Amazon)
- A toothbrush
Before you start, make sure you empty out the cabinets. Instead of cleaning all at once, it’s better to divide it up and clean one or two cabinets at a time. This is because you’ll have to remove and store the contents of the cabinets somewhere else.
Once you empty the cabinets, remove the shelf paper and get rid of dust and crumbs from the drawers and shelves (you can simply vacuum them). Then, you can start cleaning.
Step 2: Spray the Surface With Your Cleaner of Choice
Cabinets tend to be delicate, especially if they’re painted or made with finished wood, vinyl, or laminate, which is why you should stay away from abrasive cleaners. Instead, you should use mild dish soap and water to eliminate smudges, grease buildup, and dirt.
You can also add a little bit of white vinegar to it if you want to sanitize your cabinets (vinegar has antibacterial properties).
Simply mix these ingredients in a spray bottle and squirt some on a sponge or microfiber cloth until it’s damp (not soaking wet). Keep in mind that you shouldn’t saturate wood since it can damage the cabinets’ finish or paint.
Spray some more solution to the cloth or sponge as needed and squeeze the excess into the sink.
Step 3: Clean From the Top Down
Start cleaning your cabinets from the top and make your way to the bottom. Take care of the interiors first, like the back wall, sides, shelves, and drawers. Make sure you’re thorough with the corners; you can spritz some cleaning solution on an old toothbrush and scrub them gently.
Then, take a damp sponge or microfiber cloth and use it to remove the soap residue. Wipe the cabinets again with a dry cloth.
Cleaning the Top of the Cabinets
If your cabinets aren’t ceiling height, you’ll surely find a big mess on top of them. So, get a sturdy step stool and check what’s on top. If it’s only dust, you can remove it either with a vacuum (using the small round brush attachment) or a long-handled duster.
But if you find grease there, you’ll have to be more thorough. Pour some white vinegar on the surface, add a little bit of baking soda, and let it sit. Use a sponge to scrub it and scrape it with something that has a firm straight edge, like an old credit card. Then, wipe off the gunk with paper towels.
Dealing With the Grease
If there’s stubborn, sticky grease buildup inside your cabinets or on the doors, a mildly abrasive paste made with two parts water and one-part baking soda can help. Apply this paste to the stuck-on grease and let it sit for a few minutes.
Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub it gently and then rinse it with a moist microfiber cloth, sponge, or rag before wiping it dry.
If you decide to get rid of grease using a commercial cleaner, make sure you first do a spot test on an inconspicuous area. In particular, make sure you test a Magic Eraser (on Amazon) if you’re using one; these melamine foam blocks have a super-fine sandpaper texture that can damage the paint and varnish paint finish.
Cleaning the Trim
Dirt and grease tend to make a home in crevices like cabinet trims, and the more ornate they are, the dirtier they’re bound to be. To clean these, use a soft toothbrush (or wrap a cloth around your finger) with a basic cleaning solution, and rinse with a damp, clean cloth before wiping with a dry cloth.
Cleaning the Hardware and Hinges
When you’re cleaning your cabinets, make sure you don’t neglect their metal parts. Again, wrap a dry cloth around your finger and clean the hinges. In case of stubborn grease stains, make a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, spray it on an old toothbrush, and use that to scrub it off.
Follow the same technique for ceramic or metal hardware as well as the areas around the pulls, knobs, handles, and any place else that can accumulate grease and grime.
Make the Glass Shine
If you have cabinet doors with a glass front, you can use either a commercial glass cleaner or a DIY solution made with one cup of water, one cup of rubbing alcohol, and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Spray both the outer and inner panes and wipe them dry.
Step 4: Wipe Over Cabinets With a Damp Cloth
Once you’re done cleaning everything, make sure you clean the cabinets once more with a lightly dampened cloth to get rid of any lingering grime or cleaning solution. Once again, make sure you go top to bottom to avoid dripping.
Also, note that letting the cabinets air dry can bubble or damage the finish. This is why you should dry all the surfaces with a soft cloth at the end.
Which Commercial Cleaners Are Best?
When choosing a commercial cleaner for your cabinets, make sure you pick something gentle that won’t damage the look of your cabinets’ surfaces. Avoid anything harsh that contains strong chemicals. Alternatively, you can use an eco-friendly cleaner or check if your cabinet manufacturer has any recommendations.
Which Household Products Are Best?
The best household product for cleaning your cabinets is vinegar. It’s readily available and easy to use; all you have to do is mix it with warm and put it in a spray bottle. And in case the cabinets are extremely dirty, you can use just a little bit of dishwashing liquid to cut the grease.