It is safe for me to say that your kitchen cabinet has gone through every mess and grease. We open and close cabinets with our hands dirty which makes them look messier than other parts of the kitchen. Also, we don’t get time to clean kitchen cabinets daily like countertops which can take the mess to another level.
But hey! There comes a day when we decide to put our cleaning gloves on and make our kitchen cabinets shine. And it is definite that you’re planning to deep clean kitchen cabinets shortly. And we’re here to ease your job by giving some helpful tips and tricks.
But before we jump to the deep cleaning segment, it is important to know that not all kitchen cabinets are made of the same material. And therefore, cleaning techniques are different for various kitchen cabinet materials.
Most people use wood or plywood to make kitchen furniture but nowadays steel kitchen cabinets are also popular. This is because steel is strong, lightweight, and easy to maintain. So we’ve included a cleaning guide for both the popular kitchen cabinet materials.
Let’s get the cleaning started!
How to Clean Steel Kitchen Cabinets
Modular kitchens often have stainless steel cabinets. And not only do they give a completely new look to the kitchen space but steel is relatively easier to maintain. And if your kitchen comprises stainless steel cabinets then follow the below instructions.
What you need:
- Lukewarm water
- Mild Detergent
- Sponge
- White vinegar(Optional)
- Microfiber towel
- Paper towels
Instructions:
- Dip the microfiber cloth into the lukewarm water and wring it tightly so it does not leak water. Now run the damp cloth over the stainless steel cabinets.
- The next step is to either use detergent or white vinegar to clean grease off the cabinets. Use a mild detergent or dishwashing liquid to remove grease and grime from the cabinets. Or you can use white vinegar to get rid of tough spots on stainless steel kitchen cabinets.
- Again take the damp cloth and clean all the cabinets thoroughly. This is a must step to remove liquid or white vinegar from the surface.
- Wipe the surface immediately with paper towels after running a damp cloth over it to avoid water marks on stainless steel cabinets.
How to Clean Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Wooden kitchen cabinets are highly durable. And deep cleaning of wood cabinets is important to maintain their good condition for a long time. However, wood requires extra care while cleaning so your regular detergent or liquid will not work. Follow the below tips for the safe cleaning of wood kitchen cabinets.
What you need:
- Oil soap(I prefer Murphy’s Orange Oil Spray)
- 2 microfiber clothes
Instructions:
- Take one microfiber cloth and spray the oil soap solution 2-3 times. The target is to dampen the cloth not to soak it. So 2-3 sprays would be enough for a single set of wooden cabinets. (Tip: Avoid direct spraying of solution on the wooden surfaces)
- Then rub the cloth against the wooden surface covering the edges and wooden knobs/handles.
- Then take the other dry cloth and wipe the areas you just cleaned with the oil soap.
- This will remove dirt and grease from the surface and bring back the shine.
How to Clean Sticky Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets
Accumulation of grease is common on kitchen cabinets, especially those that are placed directly over the gas stove and if you are not using a range hood. And it is important to get rid of grease to avoid attracting pesky insects into your kitchen.
There are two ways to clean stinky grease off the kitchen cabinets. One is by using natural ingredients and the other is to use dishwashing liquid. You can follow any method whichever is convenient.
1. White Vinegar and Warm water(Natural Way)
The acidic nature of white vinegar makes it an ideal cleaning agent. There are multiple uses for white vinegar due to its degreasing properties. But today we’ll be looking at how to use vinegar to clean grease from kitchen cabinets.
You’ll Need:
- White vinegar
- Warm water(not boiling)
- A large bowl with a pour spout
- An empty sprayer bottle
- Soft cloth
Method:
- Mix a 50-50 mix of warm water and white vinegar in the bowl and transfer the mixture into the spray bottle.
- Generously spray the natural cleaning solution directly onto the kitchen cabinets and leave it for 5-8 minutes.
- Now take the cloth and dip it into clean warm water and wring it enough that it gets damp. Clean the sprayed surfaces with a damp cloth.
2. Dishwashing Liquid
If your cabinets are too greasy then I would suggest using a dishwashing liquid. It effectively de-greases the surface and removes grime.
You’ll Need:
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Sponge
- Dry cloth
- Clean water
- Old toothbrush(Optional)
Method:
- In a bowl, add one tbsp of dishwashing liquid and water.
- Dip the sponge into the solution and gently scrub the kitchen cabinet surface. (Tip: Clean in the direction of the wooden grain)
- Use your old toothbrush for cleaning stubborn grease and spots. Directly add a drop of dish cleaning liquid to your old toothbrush and spot clean grime/spot.
- Finally, use the damp cloth to clean off the dishwashing solution from the cabinet surface. Change the water if it gets very dirty.
Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Cabinets
As I mentioned earlier that different cabinet materials require different care. So you cannot use one type of cleaning detergent or soap for all the materials. Below Dos and Don’ts will make it easier for you to clean kitchen cabinets or freestanding pantry.
- Do not use an Abrasive cleaning sponge: Using a metal cleaning wool is a big No when it comes to deep cleaning kitchen cabinets. It leaves ugly marks behind as well as takes away the natural shine from the surface. Also, avoid using a hard-bristle brush.
- Do use an Old Toothbrush for Spot Cleaning: Sometimes a sponge cannot effectively clean a huge lump of grease or grime on the cabinet surface. That’s where you can use your toothbrush. Soft bristles of toothbrush won’t harm the cabinet surface.
- Do Not Soak Cabinets: Special care is required while cleaning wooden cabinets. And you must never soak entire cabinets in water. This will only puff up the wood and hinder its smooth operation.
- Do Dry Kitchen Cabinets after Cleaning: Use paper towels at the end to soak excessive moisture. Doing this one step will remove water marks from stainless steel cabinets and will not cause any damage to wooden cabinets.
Tip: You can use a stackable cabinet organizer to keep it organized and sorted to avoid any future cluttering.
Keeping Your Kitchen Clean! Read More:
Wrapping Up
Deep cleaning kitchen cabinets once in a while is necessary. Not only does it make your kitchen look clean and fresh, but also keeps pesky insects and flies away.
You can opt for natural cleaning of kitchen cabinets if you’re not okay with using artificial cleaning agents. Also, you can easily find natural cleaning ingredients in your kitchen itself.
Now that you’ve got a better idea about deep cleaning kitchen cabinets, I’m sure you will successfully remove grease and grime with minimal effort. And thus, experience the smell of satisfaction at last.
