How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets in 9 Easy Steps

How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: June 15, 2023
  • Updated On: September 28, 2023

We all know that cabinets are the most visible part of our kitchens. That’s why well-maintained and clean cabinets are essential to keep your kitchen look elegant. So, one must know about how to clean kitchen cabinets to make them shine through the accidental spills and greasy fingerprints.

You can deep clean your kitchen cabinets yourself if you want once or twice after every six months. But before cleaning kitchen cabinets, you have to understand that cleaning method for all types of cabinets varies from one another.

The reason is that the finishing of each cabinet, such as gloss or matte, is different snf also kitchen cabinet layout. 

So, in this blog we have discussed some of the most impressive ways to clean kitchen cabinets that you’ll find very useful without damaging them.

9 Steps to Clean Kitchen Cabinets without Removing Finish

You’ll love to know that you don’t need to remove the cabinets every time you clean your kitchen cabinets. Before starting cleaning your cabinets, ensure to collect all cleaning tools and products. So, you can get the job done without any difficulty. You can clean kitchen cabinets without removing the finish in 9 easy steps. 

1) Move Out Everything from Cabinets

Even if you are not going to clean the cabinets from inside, you still need to move out everything from the cabinets before cleaning. 

Ensure to cover all stuff with a sheet or tarp before starting cleaning your kitchen cabinets. Whether you are finishing kitchen cabinets or done replacing the counter tops for a small kitchen remodeling project, cover everything. This way, it would be easier for you to complete the cleaning process. You can place all moved out stuff on countertops.

2) Prepare a Homemade Cleaning Solution

While considering a modern kitchen layout design, most homeowners prefer to install a laminated, painted wood or vinyl cabinets. Cleaning these types of cabinets is super-easy even with mild or a homemade cleaning solution.

If you don’t want to rely on a chemical-based cleaning solution, you can prepare a cleaning solution yourself, by mixing liquid soap with warm water. It would be most effective cleaner to remove all dust and grime from your kitchen cabinets.

If your concern is how to clean wood veneer kitchen cabinets, you can also use an all-purpose cleaner. Ensure to follow the cabinet’s manufacturer guidelines before cleaning your wood veneer cabinets with a mild cleaner or solution.

3) Start Cleaning from the Top of Cabinets

If yours is a trendy galley kitchen, it will be easier to start cleaning your cabinets from top down. This way, you can complete the cleaning process in a proper pattern. If it is difficult to access the top cabinets from ground, use a ladder.

If cabinets have hard stains or spots there, it would be best to directly apply the cleaning solution on the stain. Such stains are commonyl found in commercial kitchens where heaving duty cooking and prepping is performed. Once you have applied the solution, let it sit there for a few minutes before wiping it off. 

For normal stains, you can use a cloth dipped in a cleaning solution and start cleaning your kitchen cabinets.

When cleaning kitchen cabinets remember that edges and cabinet ends are also important. So, you also need to clean the cabinet’s edges for a smooth and well-cleaned look. As we all know that thoroughly cleaning of cabinets is essential if you are working on a elevating galley kitchen remodeling.

4) Remove the Solution

Even after removing the stains from cabinets with a cloth, you still need to use another clean cloth to wipe out the remaining cleaner. It is necessary to avoid stains on your kitchen cabinets because they are cleaner.

You can also use a damp cloth to remove the cleaner from cabinets. If there is cleaner leftover on your kitchen cabinets, it will damage its look or surface over time. So, proper cleaning is essential.

5) Clean the Cabinets Hardware

If your main concern is to clean your kitchen cabinets, it doesn’t mean that you can neglect the cabinets hardware or other fixtures. Keep in mind that cabinet hardware such as knobs, locks and latches are also a part of your kitchen cabinets.

So, you will also need to learn how to clean kitchen cabinets hardware. To clean kitchen cabinets hardware, you can use a mixture of vinegar and warm water. If you find it difficult to clean hardware with cloth, you can apply the solution on a brush and start cleaning the cabinets hardware.

If your kitchen cabinets hardware is removable, it would be great to detach it at the time of cleaning.

6) Clean Cabinets for Buildup

Once you have cleaned your cabinets, if there are still buildup or sticky stains on your cabinets, you can remove those stains yourself. It might look difficult to clean the cabinets for buildup, but you can do it proficiently by choosing the right cleaning solution.

The best thing to remove buildup or grease from your cabinets is lime juice. Simply, spray the juice on the cabinets and let it sit there for a few minutes. If you still see the stickiness there, you can repeat the process.

7) Scrub the Cabinets

To remove buildup and stickiness from your cabinets, you can use baking soda. All you need to do is sprinkling the baking soda on the cabinets surface and start scrubbing it with a brush. Even if stains are hard on cabinets, never encourage using a scraping tool.

A scraping tool will scratch off the upper layer of your cabinets and damage its surface completely.

8) Clean Cabinets from Inside

If you know how to clean glossy kitchen cabinets after remodeling, you also know that cleaning cabinets from inside also matter. Most people prefer to clean the inside of kitchen cabinets before the outside surface. 

To clean the cabinets from inside, without increasing the average kitchen remodel cost, you can use a mild cleaner with warm water. If there is a lot of mess, you can also simply rinse off the inside of cabinets with warm water before applying the cleaning solution.

Keep in mind to dry the inside of kitchen cabinets appropriately after cleaning. It would be best to leave the cabinet doors open for a few hours after cleaning.

9) Put Back All Your Stuff

Once you have done cleaning kitchen cabinets, you are all set to put back your stuff in the cabinets. It would be best to clean your stuff such as crockery or cans before placing them back in the cabinets. Even after placing all your stuff, keep the cabinet doors open for a few hours.

DIY Method to Clean Varnished Kitchen Cabinets

To clean the varnished kitchen cabinets, baking soda is the best ingredient! If you know how to clean kitchen cabinets without removing finish, you can also learn how to clean varnished kitchen cabinets easily by considering the following points;

  • Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing baking soda with warm water.
  • You can also add vinegar or lime juice for tough stains.
  • Spray the solution on the varnished kitchen cabinets.
  • Let the solution sit on the cabinets for a few minutes
  • Use a soft sponge to clean or gently wipe out the solution
  • Clean the cabinets with a damp towel.
  • Once the cabinets have cleaned, dry or buff the cabinets surface with a clean cloth

No More Greasiness and Spills

Following the right protocols will help you clean the kitchen cabinets without any extra cost. Whether you are remodeling or painting kitchen cabinets, either way you can follow these steps to take care of the cabinet doors and countertops on a regular basis. Just make sure you have the right set of ingredients for a DIY cleaning solution and you are good to go.

FAQs

  • How Often Do I Need to Clean Kitchen Cabinets?
    It would be best to clean the cabinets for spills and stains immediately. However, you can deep clean your kitchen cabinets after two or three weeks. If you have enough time and budget, it would be great to clean your kitchen cabinets professionally once a year.
  • Can I Use Vinegar to Clean Grease from Kitchen Cabinets?
    Yes, you can clean kitchen cabinets using white vinegar. For this purpose, use a wet rag or sponge with vinegar and tap the greasy area for saturation. Wait for a while and then wipe it up. This method is useful for non-porous cabinets.
  • Which Chemical can be Used to Remove Oil stains on Cabinets?
    Salt and rubbing alcohol solution is the best way to lift off the oil stains. Alcohol dries off instantly.
Avatar photo
Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE