How to Clean Your Kitchen Cabinets so They Shine Like New
If you have dirty kitchen anxiety, wondering how to clean kitchen cabinets so they sparkle like new is something you think about often. You know that hard to remove, slightly sticky cabinet grime that just won’t go away no matter how many times you wash it? That crud makes cleaning a nightmare because it’s taken up permanent residence on your cupboards. (Honestly, you don’t even know how it got there in the first place.) But don’t fret! There are plenty of different ways to clean grease off kitchen cabinets — plus a whole lot more.
How to Clean Hardwood Kitchen Cabinets
Wooden cabinets in the kitchen are a good choice because they give your cooking space a warm, inviting feel. Whether you opt for a dark or light wood, you really can’t go wrong. And they fit every style, from rustic to traditional or even modern. It’s not surprising that people turn to wooden cabinets to make a statement in the kitchen — but what is shocking is how dirty they get.
To clean that caked-on grease, you have a few options. Here’s how to clean wooden cabinets:
How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets With Baking Soda
Is there anything you can’t clean with baking soda? To start, you want to make a paste with your baking soda. You can use either water or coconut oil, and you want a 2-to-1 ratio of baking soda to liquid. Work in your mixture with a sponge, scrubbing away months (or maybe years — we don’t judge!) of tough stains. If your cupboards feature decorative carvings, you can use a toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies. Then, wipe everything away with warm water.
How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets With Vinegar
Like baking soda, vinegar is a staple in your cleaning arsenal. But don’t go dousing your cabinets in vinegar just yet. First you want to dilute it a bit by mixing it with water in a 1-to-1 ratio. Then, pour it into a spray bottle and mist your grimy cabinets. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a cloth. If your cabinets are extra dirty, you can add a few drops of detergent to your mixture.
How to Clean Wood Kitchen Cabinets Naturally
Baking soda and vinegar are awesome all-natural cleaning products, but if you want to go even more basic, you can use ice cubes to remove sticky spots. There’s nothing worse than attempting to open the cabinet only to pull away in horror as your hand makes contact with an unidentified sticky substance. (Fortunately, it’s usually just maple syrup or honey left over from breakfast!) When this happens, grab a small bag of ice cubes and hold it over the stain. The residue should harden, and then you can scrape it off with a plastic knife or spoon.
How to Clean Laminate Kitchen Cabinets
One of the nice things about laminate counters is that they’re easy to clean. Plus you can opt for laminates that look like wood to give you the same feel and aesthetic without any of the downsides. But just like hardwoods and metals, laminate gets dirty. Here’s how to clean grease off laminate kitchen cabinets with ease.
When it comes to cleaning laminate kitchen cabinets, the above methods involving baking soda and vinegar will suit you well. For daily messes, you can opt for a gentler method. In a bowl, combine mild dish detergent and warm water. Then, simply mop off that pasta sauce splatter and you’re good to go.
How to Clean Metal Kitchen Cabinets
Metal is an easy surface to wipe off, so it stands to reason that metal kitchen cabinets are the easiest to clean. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t need a bit of elbow grease. One of the nice things about cleaning metal cabinets is that they can handle heavy-duty cleaners. With wooden cabinets, you have to be gentle in order to not only protect the cabinet’s finish but also the wood underneath. Conversely, with metal cabinets, you can really go at those messes with all sorts of cleaners.
On the doors and handles, rubbing alcohol should be enough to get rid of grime. If there are rusty spots, gently go over them with steel wool. Then, mix water and soap in a 1-to-1 ratio and wipe down your cabinets using this mixture. Make sure you dry your cupboards completely as you don’t want them to get rusty. If you want to give your cabinets an extra bit of shine, go over them with a bit of car wax.
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