How to Clean and Preserve Kitchen Cabinets

Basic Cleaning

Skipping your cabinet cleaning schedule will cause grime and grease to accumulate, covering up its natural good looks. You can use a soft cloth with warm water to remove the buildup of grime on your cabinet doors about every two weeks. 

However, sometimes using water alone might not yield satisfying results, especially if there is residue on your cabinet surfaces from using spray vegetable oil. In case of such instances, you can add mild dish soap to the warm water you use to wipe down your kitchen cabinets. After removing the buildup, use a soft cloth to get rid of the excess moisture. 

If your cabinet has sticky stains, you might need to form a paste using water and baking soda. Using a sponge and the paste, scrub the sticky stains, rinse the spot, and use a soft, clean cloth to dry it up. Another way of removing stains is by mixing diluted vinegar and water. 

It is also essential to note that not all cleaners are helpful when cleaning grimy cabinets. Some of the cleaning products to avoid when cleaning your wood kitchen cabinets include:

• Ammonia
• Paint thinners
• Solvents
• Scoring pad
• Bleach
• Steel wool
• Strong soaps and detergents
• Plastic brushes
• Abrasive cleaners like Comet
• Nail polish remover

All of the above cleaners can mar the finish on your cabinet surfaces and make them look worse than they did before! And you’ll often be amazed at how much you can accomplish with just a microfiber cloth (or other lint-free cloth) and some mild liquid dish soap mixed with warm water.

Wipe Spills Promptly

Some stains might be hard to remove, so it pays to wipe all spills right away whenever possible. You can use paper towels, a sponge or a damp cloth to wipe spills and avoid sticky stains. Dry with a soft cloth — this is also a good way to check and see if the area is still sticky.

Avoid Excessive Moisture

Moisture is one of the main enemies of wooden kitchen cabinets. If your cabinet comes into contact with excess water, be sure to dry it immediately. Avoid putting wet items like dish towels over your cabinet doors. 

Avoid Humidity and Temperature Extremes

Another way of preserving your kitchen cabinets is by controlling the humidity and the temperature levels inside them. Typically, extreme humidity and/or a high temperature causes your cabinet to swell, warp, expand, contract, or dry out. This is an unusual problem, but it’s worth considering what you store inside your cabinets and how it can affect them. 

Avoid Light Damage

A sunny kitchen is a happy place, but too much direct sunlight can cause damage to your wooden kitchen cabinets. If you have laminate cabinets or painted cabinet doors, they might also fade when exposed to direct sunlight. Be sure to use window coverings to eliminate or minimize the amount of direct sunlight on your wood or laminate cabinets. 

Clean kitchen cabinets make your whole kitchen look newer, cleaner overall, and maybe even more organized! It pays to do a routine cleaning of your wooden kitchen cabinets on a regular basis, as well as to promptly wipe up food splatters and food smudges as soon as possible after they happen. Keeping your cabinets in pristine condition helps them last longer and stay new-looking for years.