Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets - 7 Easy And Effective Tips

The Importance of cleaning kitchen cabinets is beyond doubt, because they get exposed to a lot of grease and dirt. Left unattended this could cause bacteria to spread and make its way to your food. No need for that to happen however, as we have tips to keep your cabinets clean and tidy.

How Often Should You Clean Kitchen Cabinets?

Kitchen cabinets should be cleaned at least once a week. If the cabinets get a lot of use and they’re opened and closed frequently, condensation will build up more quickly as will grease and dirt. In this case it is best to clean them daily.

Cleaning Tools and Materials

Kitchen cabinets that don’t get a lot of use just need warm water, a general type cleaner and scrubbing. While this method is good for general cleaning, it may damage the surface is done too frequently.

If your cabinets are made of wood or special paint, use only light cleaning materials to avoid damage. The most common materials used are:

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Water
Baking soda
Vinegar and water
All purpose cleaner (non abrasive)
Oil soap wood cleaner

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7 Easy and Effective Tips to Clean Kitchen Cabinets

Oil Soap Wood Cleaner

Next to water and an all purpose cleaner, an oil soap wood cleaner is the best option available. You can purchase these in your local hardware store. Follow the instructions on the label and clean your kitchen cabinets.

Cleaning Detergents

Almost any cleaning detergent or laundry detergent can be used. Just mix a cup of detergent for every two cups of water.

Do not use harsh detergents or make the surface too wet as that might damage the finish. Apply the solution, wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth then wipe again with water and a clean cloth.

Vinegar

Mixing vinegar and water is a good choice if you don’t have a cleaning detergent handy. Just mix two cups of water with a cup of vinegar and clean your cabinet. This solution is particularly good for getting rid of sticky materials left on the cabinet surface.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an all-purpose cleaner and works well for different types of kitchen cabinets. Baking soda paste is ideal for removing persistent stains. Mix baking soda with water and apply the paste on your kitchen cabinet.

Once you have prepared the mix, test it on a discreet part of the cabinet and if it’s okay, wipe the rest of the cabinet.

Cleaning Painted Cabinets

Oil painted kitchen cabinets can withstand intense scrubbing and they are also more heavy duty than wood. You can use baking soda and other cleaning detergents like those mentioned earlier.

The difference is that the material is more durable so you don’t have to be concerned about the finish as it will hold up. Oil painted kitchen cabinets can take rigorous scrubbing, perfect if for removing bacteria and stubborn stains.

This is also effective for getting rid of food bacteria and other residues. Apart from detergents you can also use baking soda and water. If your cabinets have water based paint, be careful when you scrub. You also need to be careful with baking soda as it could damage the surface.

For kitchen cabinets with water based paint, non-abrasive cleaner and warm water is the better solution. No matter what cleaning solution you choose, make sure to wipe gently.

Metal Kitchen Cabinet Cleaning

Metal kitchen cabinets are the easiest to clean. You can use any of the methods described above and there should be no problems as long as you don’t get it too wet.

Maintenance

The easiest way to maintain your kitchen cabinets is to clean them on a regular basis. Cleaning on a daily or weekly basis will prevent dirt and bacteria from building up. The longer you put off cleaning the more difficult it will be to remove the dirt as the residue will stick.

Do not put jars, utensils, pots or other items in the cabinet until they have dried. This eliminates the possibility of bacteria building up. Do not store items in the cabinet until the have been thoroughly cleaned.

If your cabinet came with cleaning instructions, follow it. If it says use a specific type of cleaning solution other than the one mentioned here, use that instead.

If you have new kitchen cabinets and won’t be installing them for a while, store in a clean dry location so dirt does not build up. When it’s time to install them, you don’t have to do any cleaning.

Keep the cabinets’ content organized and clean. That will make it easier for you to keep it clean. A few more tips on cleaning kitchen cabinets:
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Kitchen cabinets today are well made, but their longevity will depend on how well you take care of them. That is why it is important to clean on a consistent basis.
If possible, wipe the cabinets on a daily basis and then perform a more comprehensive cleanup each week. This approach will reduce the amount of heavy cleaning you have to do.
Use a damp, clean cloth when cleaning cabinets. Wipe one small section at a time and wipe it dry quickly. Wipe dry as quickly as possible reduces the possibility of moisture damage.
Kitchen cabinets can handle a lot of condensation, heat and humidity. However you need to do your part in keeping the cabinet in as good condition as possible.
Never use harsh abrasives, detergents or other heavy cleaning solutions on kitchen cabinets that have sensitive surfaces.
Look for kitchen cabinets that can handle exposure to UV and sunlight if there are widows in your kitchen where sunlight gets through