6 Easiest Ways to Make Kitchen Cabinets Look Glossy

Kitchen Cabinets
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: September 16, 2021
  • Updated On: September 14, 2023

Kitchen cabinets cover the major part of a kitchen. Whether it’s a small galley kitchen design or a larger one, cabinets shape the overall look. To reduce kitchen remodeling average cost, almost 65% of homeowners choose to refinish their kitchen cabinets. However, despite their importance, they are prone to dust particles that embed themselves in the muck, resulting in a thick layer of difficult-to-remove residue. 

If your cabinets are dark, it’s easy to overlook them, but after a while, your cabinet doors virtually scream to be cleaned. Therefore you can make kitchen cabinets look glossy with the right tips and tricks. 

Quickest Methods to Make Kitchen Cabinets Look Glossy 

A strong degreaser may get the job done quickly, but they can be harsh on kitchen cabinets, and many homeowners are chemically and fragrance-sensitive. The good news is that you can use different cabinet finishes doesn’t require a weekend of scrubbing and painting.

Your entire kitchen appears dirty when your cabinets are dirty. And it appears that following cleaning tricks will be a significant undertaking. 

Use A Mild Dish Soap

You won’t have to work too hard to clean kitchen cabinets. Most dish soaps contain degreasers, they offer favorable cleaning results on the surface. 

Make sure the one you like removes oil by reading the label. Then, in two cups of hot water, add two tablespoons of it. You can use an ordinary towel or cloth to clean the nooks and crannies, and a soft-bristle toothbrush can get into the tight spaces.

Microfibre works well on laminates and other ultra-smooth surfaces, while a basic smooth sponge can help with grainy or creviced wood. Avoid using scrubbing sponges or white erasers since they can produce minor scratches in the finish, attracting dirt and making cleaning the cabinets twice as tricky.

Protect your hands from the hot water by putting on durable and all-around nitrile gloves. They are helpful in any kind of kitchen work, including cleaning kitchen cabinets. You can rely on these when doing the scrubbing, as they will protect your hands from the hot water and chemicals from cleaners.

Plus, you can avoid getting a strong soap odor directly on your skin with the help of these gloves. Dip a clean rag or sponge into the cleaning solution of vinegar. To remove dirt, grease, and other deposits, carefully scrub the outer surfaces. To form a thick paste, mix a little water with baking soda.

Apply it to any rough, greasy places with a clean cloth and gently massage them away. Wipe off all kitchen cabinet surfaces with a clean towel soaked in clear water. Lastly, Using a gentle, clean towel, dry the cabinets.

Use Baking Soda For Stains Or Scrubbing

Baking soda is abrasive and absorbs grease. This is the foremost reason homeowners prefer to clean the sink with baking soda. Similarly, you can add the dry baking soda to remove the grease, from cabinets. If baking soda is warm enough, it will seep into grease making it much easier to remove. 

Because heat can harm some finishes, this will only work after a hot water scrub to maintain the glossy look.

A modest amount of baking soda can be made into a paste with just a dab of hot water as an alternative. Rub the paste into the cabinet with a cloth or a toothbrush, going with the grain. Rinse and dry as you would with dish soap, though you may need to scrub the grooves with a clean toothbrush to get the grit out.

Mix Dish Soap and Vinegar For Stubborn Stains

When it comes to natural household cleaning, white vinegar reigns supreme. It’s a disinfectant as well as a degreaser. When paired with the strength of dish soap, the two are nearly invincible. Combine two cups of water, one cup of vinegar, and two tablespoons of dish soap in a mixing bowl.

Scrub with the same technique as you would with regular dish soap and water.

Make sure not to use the vinegar individually on the cabinets for cleaning purposes. The reason is the higher PH level of vinegar. If you use vinegar separately after installing base cabinets, it may harm the color and upper surface unnoticeably.

Use Rust-Oleum Paint Spray

Make sure to protect the kitchen cabinet doors from liquid. It also includes paint sprays. You can set newspaper or a dust sheet on the cabinets. Mask off any portions of the object that you don’t want to paint. You can also use additional dust sheets or newspapers to protect the surrounding area as well.

Fill any fractures and sand the surface carefully, paying particular attention to any discrepancies in the original finish or rough areas. Always sand along the direction of the wood grain when working with wooden surfaces. Keep in mind that you will need to hire a professional kitchen cabinet painting expert who will paint using all kinds of wax, oil, and grease. 

But if you want to do it yourself, then hold the can of Rust-Oleum Mode Spray Paint about 25cm away from the object’s surface. Spray in a steady side-to-side motion, gently overlapping each stroke. Keep the can at the same distance from the surface and move while spraying for the most significant effects.

Pro Tip:

Never use the first coat of paint to cover your doors or drawers. Allow at least half an hour between layers when applying two coats of paint. Allow one hour after applying the last coat to ensure that they are scorched before handling. Always read the back of the can for instructions.

Use The Borax As The Last Option

Borax is a natural cleaning agent, but it has been pitted against each other by eco- and health-conscious groups. It’s sometimes used also for pest control. Make sure to use the Borax by mixing it with other mild ingredients. Using this solution tends to reduce the average cost to paint kitchen cabinets, as the color will remain for a longer duration. So you will not have to re-coat the paint repeatedly. Instead, cabinets will have a glossier look. 

Combine water, vinegar, one-half cup Borax, and a few tablespoons of dish soap in a mixing bowl. Once all the ingredients have been mixed evenly, you are all set to clean the cabinets with this mixture.

You’ll Love the Shiny Kitchen Cabinets

Using these easiest ways, you can make the kitchen cabinets more glossy and maintain them really well. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check your warranty information and care instructions, as well as test each combination in a hidden location before going all-in on your cabinets.

FAQs

  • What Material Should I Use for Glossy Kitchen Cabinets?
    You can choose from lacquer, acrylic, and theromofoil. For a longer and thicker coat than enamel pain, you can use lacquer.
  • What Gives the Best Gloss Finish for Kitchen Cabinets?
    Semi-gloss finish is considered one of the best gloss finishings for cabinets. They are sheen and reflect light, also they are also more durable.
  • Are Glossy Cabinets Better than Matte Cabinets?
    Glossy kitchen cabinets are a popular opinion for many because of their sleek and modern look. When kitchen remodeling, most prefer them as they are easy to clean and maintain.
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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.

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