You know better than anyone that kitchen cupboards can get dirty fast. Often you make spills you don’t even notice, and the constant cooking sends all kinds of greasy gunk into the air that eventually land on your kitchen surfaces.
While we all tend to wipe down our counters several times a day, our kitchen cupboards are a little neglected. And it isn’t just the cabinet fronts that suffer. Drawers and the inside of your kitchen cupboards can also collect crumbs and other forms of kitchen dirt.
All of these issues are not only unsanitary but can attract pests. If you want to keep on top of all that grime, grease, and food grunge, you need to know how to keep your kitchen cupboards clean. Here’s our pro tips for spic and span, beautiful kitchen cupboards.
How Often You Should Clean
Keeping on top of the greasy, grimy build-up will make cleaning easier. Other than trying to pay attention to what messes you are making while you cook, you should be cleaning your cupboards every few weeks. This would include a basic wipe down to remove surface dirt and then a harder rub-down for stubborn, grimier build up.
Unfortunately, you also have to pay attention to the interior of all your kitchen storage, and this should be done every few months. Think of it as a seasonal job you can tackle 4 times a year. This requires taking everything out of drawers and off shelves for a thorough cleaning. Choose a time when you’ve loaded up the dishwasher, as this will make the job easier. Just about every surface can be cleaned using the following tips.
Use mild dish detergent and warm water applied to a clean, soft cloth to wipe down your cabinet surfaces. Always be sure to wring out the cloth after each dip of the soap mixture to reduce dampness. Be sure to get into the hinges, as well as the corners and nooks of your doors and drawer fronts.
Rinse the doors and sideboards with clear, warm water immediately after using the soap and water and dry with a separate dry, soft cloth. Do this door by door so the soap is not left on too long.
Greasier, stickier stains can be tackled with a natural solution of 1-part white vinegar and 2 parts hot water. Use a clean cloth and soak it in the solution, wring out the cloth, and apply pressure to the stain to wipe it away. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
For even stickier messes, you can try using undiluted white vinegar, and more elbow grease to get the stain off. In this case, you have to rinse the area with clean water and wipe with a dry, clean cloth.
Grease and grime can be very stubborn and require a bit of abrasion to be wiped away. A safe bet is to use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda made into a paste. Before going crazy with the mixture, test the inside of the door first to look for signs if it’s damaging the surface.
Use a warm, barely damp cloth and a touch of the paste, and apply the paste to the greasy area. Let it sit a few minutes before gently rubbing the area with a damp cloth or sponge. If it still doesn’t budge, try using a soft, nylon brush. Rinse away the paste with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid using anything that can damage the surface as all cabinets will be easily scratched with abrasive cleaners and scouring pads as well as strong detergents.
Interior Cleaning Tips
Every few months, the interior of your cabinets need a deep-clean. Empty out each cabinet, starting with the highest cabinets first and work your way down. If the shelving paper is damaged or yellowing, remove it and then use a vacuum to remove crumbs and dust using your hose attachment.
If you don’t have the hose attachment, brush crumbs away with a microfibre cloth. Wash the shelves with warm water and dish soap, then rinse with clean water and a fresh cloth. Wipe everything dry and add new shelving paper.
Proper Cleaning Products for the Job
The main challenge for kitchen cabinets is that each type of cabinet requires special considerations. You don’t want to inadvertently damage the surface over time.
While it might seem easy to identify wood surfaces, in some cases, you might not realize what you thought was wood is actually a laminate or faux wood surface. Other surfaces can include paint, glass or even mirrored fronts, laminates, plastics, metals and more.
Here are the most common finishes and special considerations when using our basic 101 cleaning instructions:
1. Wood
You can use the basic 101 cleaning instructions for wood, paying careful attention to avoid using strong detergents or abrasive cleaners such as scouring pads, as harsh cleaners and cleaning pads with abrasive surfaces will damage the finish of the wood.
2. Paint
Painted cupboards must be wiped dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots from forming. No air drying allowed! Also, don’t apply liquid waxes, as instead of protecting, they can actually act as a paint remover. Citrus oils can also cause damage to painted surfaces.
3. Laminate
Because laminate cupboards have seams, you will have to use a toothbrush to remove and lift dirt from the crevices. Be careful to wipe these areas down with a dry cloth as if moisture is left; it can cause the particle board beneath the laminate to swell and permanently damage your cupboards. In general, keep the amount of liquid you apply to your cupboards limited.
4. Metal
You can use rubbing alcohol to wipe away grimy, greasy build-up on metal cabinets using a soft cloth and a circular motion to remove the dirt. If you notice rust spots, rub them gently with extra-fine steel wool being very gentle, so you don’t leave scratch marks.
A blow dryer should be used after rust removal to dry the spot thoroughly, as well as to dry areas such as hinges where water can hide. After any cleaning, wipe away remaining wetness with a dry cloth or rust can form.
5. Glass
If you spill something on your glass fronts, or you spot dried food, soapy water and a wet sponge should be used first to remove the spots. You can then rinse and wipe away the dampness with a dry cloth and then apply a streak-free window cleaner or natural cleaner with equal parts water and vinegar.
Usually, your glass fronts have a wood frame, so remember to follow the wood instructions for these areas. If using streak-free cleaners, wipe any overspray off the wood frames, immediately stop to avoid and further damage.
If you have mullions — decorative wood slats — within the glassed area, your best bet is to spray the cleaner directly onto your cleaning cloth, instead of spraying the window.
These tips will keep your kitchen sparkling clean while helping your cupboards last longer.
To learn more about how to clean your kitchen cupboards, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.
Share , Like & Engage On Social Media:
