Every homeowner must know how to clean kitchen cabinet doors. A dusty, greasy, or grimy cabinet is not a good look for your kitchen! In this article, we will walk you through all the steps of kitchen cabinet door cleaning.
Why should you clean your kitchen cabinet doors?
You may think visitors will not notice, but dirty cabinets are the first thing people spot when entering a kitchen. The cabinet is the focal point of most kitchens you will visit.
Thus, their dirty doors will inevitably catch unwanted attention. If you enjoy cooking, baking, and spending time in the kitchen in general, dirt will eventually accumulate over time.
Aside from unsightly filth, having dirty kitchen cabinets are unsanitary and may cause health hazards.
Cleaning your kitchen cabinet doors involves more than just wiping the surface. It can be a big task, so we compiled everything you need to know!
In this blog, we covered topics crucial to keep your kitchen looking fresh and pristine.
Later on, we will discuss the optimal schedule for cleaning your kitchen cabinets and the typical stains you may encounter.
We will also cover how to clean kitchen cabinet doors based on what their material is. Read on!
When should I clean my kitchen cabinet doors?
To conserve energy and time, we suggest having daily, weekly, and monthly cabinet cleaning routines. First, the daily routine will involve the dusting of the cabinet doors.
Do this to remove the layer of dust that gathered on the surface of the door. Dusting will be very helpful for those who have allergic rhinitis or those with asthmatic children.
Dust is a notorious allergen—keeping your kitchen cabinet doors dust-free is for the betterment of your health.
For your weekly cleaning routine, do a spot treatment for your cabinet doors. You may do this by spraying a multi-purpose cleaner on a piece of cleaning cloth and wiping away dirt.
Wipe away food and oil splatters, fingerprints, and other unsightly marks.
Lastly, you must deep-clean your kitchen cabinet doors weekly. Deep cleaning involves thoroughly cleaning the kitchen cabinet doors and the hardware attached to them.
The deep-cleaning process varies based on the material of your kitchen cabinet door. We will discuss this matter, later on, so sit tight.
What are the usual kitchen cabinet door stains?
Kitchen cabinets endure different kinds of elements daily. Cabinets house various items and are within the proximity of cooking equipment that may introduce stains.
Here are the most common kitchen cabinet door stains you may encounter.
- Fingerprints: these are stains left by the oily residue on your fingers.
- Scuffs: these are marks of dirt caused by shoes and are usually on base cabinets.
- Food splatters: these are the most common kitchen cabinet stains and may cause permanent damage if not cleaned up immediately.
- Grease: you can commonly find grease stains on cabinets near a stove or gas range.
- Water stains: water stains are common problems for kitchens with hard water.
How to clean kitchen cabinet doors according to their material?
In cleaning your kitchen cabinet doors, the first step is to know what their material is. This strategy will aid you in cleaning your cabinets without introducing damage.
Some cleaning solvents may be too harsh for a type of material. Thus, always exercise caution to keep your kitchen cabinets in prime condition.
How to clean kitchen cabinet doors made of wood?
Cleaning kitchen cabinet doors made of wood can be tricky. For one, cabinet wood comes in various finishes with a variety of seals. Some seals are more sensitive than others, so it is safe to stick with gentle wood cleaners.
It will be helpful to use oil soap to both shine and clean your kitchen cabinet doors. Since this solution is non-abrasive, oil soap will make your cabinets look new without damaging them.
Moreover, use damp cloths instead of soaked fabric. Introducing too much saturation to the wood will cause damage.
Use a dry microfiber towel to polish and buff your wood cabinet doors. Remember to wipe along the grain of the wood for maximum shine.
For cabinets in high-moisture areas, add an extra coat of sealant. These cabinets are prone to damage due to constant exposure to condensation and steam.
How to clean kitchen cabinet doors made of laminate?
Laminate is more forgiving as compared to its wood counterpart. This type of material can endure the harshness of most cleaning agents and laminate kitchen cabinet doors are low maintenance, but they still need TLC every once in a while.
To clean your laminate kitchen cabinet doors, wipe their surface with diluted vinegar or an all-purpose cleaning wipe. Then, dry the surface thoroughly using a clean washcloth.
You may remove stains with a baking soda paste. Moreover, avoid abrasive cleaning pads as they may introduce scratches to the surface.
For scruffs, you may use hardware soft erasers.
How to clean kitchen cabinet doors made of glass?
Glass cabinet doors often have wooden or laminate frames. The glass part may be simple to clean, but always remember to choose a cleaning solution that will not damage the adjacent materials.
To remove fingerprints and stains from the glass panes, use a glass cleaner and a polishing cloth. Since glass is transparent, make sure to clean the other side of the glass pane from the inside too.
Avoid oil-based agents such as oil soap as these introduce streak and residue on the glass pane.
How to clean kitchen cabinet doors that have a painted surface?
Painted cabinets are what you usually see in most kitchens. Homeowners prefer these types of cabinets as they add a pop of color to the room.
Aside from storing kitchen items, painted kitchen cabinets also add life to the atmosphere. To maintain the color of these cabinets, you must clean them regularly.
If you are on a budget, mix two parts baking soda with one part water to make a spot-cleaner.
Apply this to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away. Afterward, you may buff out residue with a clean piece of cloth.
Use a piece of cloth with diluted ammonia to remove grease from painted cabinets. Use a gentle force to wipe the grease stains until they are less noticeable.
If the paint on the cabinets begins chipping, repaint the cabinets.
How to clean kitchen cabinet doors made of metal?
Manufacturers usually paint metal cabinets with an enamel finish. Thus, you may follow the steps in the previous section. The crucial part of metal cabinet door maintenance is allowing it to 100% dry after cleaning.
Exposure to moisture may cause rusting and thus damage the metal.
Keep Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors Clean All The Time!
Clean and good-as-new kitchen cabinets will be your secret to a beautiful kitchen. Shiny cabinets will warmly welcome your visitors, letting them know that your kitchen is a clean and safe one.
Let your friends know that you value sanitation in your home! Make sure to follow all the tips above to make the cleaning process less tedious.
Be careful in cleaning your cabinet doors, and make sure to keep their surfaces undamaged.
Good luck in cleaning your kitchen cabinet doors!