9 Steps to Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets

9 Steps to Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets

Mij Gibson Jan 28, 2021

For most kitchens the cabinets are the focal point and when they are dirty, visitors will notice. Spills, fingerprints, food splatters, grease and watermarks create the most dirt. There are many ways to cleaning kitchen cabinets, including removing grease stains to keep your cabinets in pristine order.

In this article you learn about 9 steps to cleaning your kitchen cabinets.

  1. Empty out the cabinets

Once emptied, remove and discard any past-its-prime shelf paper if necessary. Vacuum or wipe crumbs and dust from the shelves and drawers.

  1. Clean the empty gaps above the cabinets

Some cabinets don’t reach the ceiling, leaving a gap that can attract a mess. Use a safe and sturdy step tool or ladder. Clear dust using a long-handled duster or a small round brush attachment of a vacuum.

If there’s grease with dust then:

  • Use spray the surface with white vinegar, sprinkle on some baking soda, and then wait several minutes.

  • Wipe with a sponge, then scrape with a firm straight edge tool like an old credit card and wipe off the gunk with a rag or paper towels.

  • Spray again lightly and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

  1. Prepare a mild cleaning solution

Mix a few squirts of a mild dish soap with hot water. This is a safe and effective formula cleaning painted and finished woods, including metal, laminate, and vinyl.

White vinegar has antibacterial properties. This will give the solution a sanitising effect. It will remove dirt, smudges, and moderate grease buildup.

Mix in a spray bottle, but apply onto a microfiber cloth or sponge rather than directly on the cabinet surface, as it’s best to avoid saturating wood.

  1. Start from high to low

Start with the top and work your way down.

Clean interiors first:

  • Back wall

  • Sides

  • Shelves and drawers.

  • Clean the corners, spraying cleaning solution on a toothbrush and scrubbing gently if necessary.

Use a cloth/sponge lightly moistened with plain water to remove any soap residue.

Wipe dry completely after rinsing, then close the cabinets.

Clean the sides of the boxes and do the doors/drawer fronts last.

  1. Remove grease

Use a mild abrasive paste of one-part baking soda to two-parts water.

Apply to grease and leave it for several minutes. Then scrub gently (no scraping!) with a soft-bristled brush.

Rinse with a moist rag, sponge, or microfiber cloth, then dry.

If using a commercial product, then test it first on an inconspicuous area. Be especially cautious with magic erasers; these blocks of non-toxic melamine foam have the texture of super-fine sandpaper that can damage varnished wood and glossy paint finishes.

  1. Clean the trim

Use your basic cleaning solution and a soft toothbrush or cloth wrapped around your index finger to slowly clean the trim.

Then rinse with a clean cloth moistened with plain water and dry.

  1. Hinges and hardware 

Clean metal parts of the cabinets properly.

Wrap a dry cloth on your index finger to clean the hinges. If you encounter stubborn grease, spray a 50/50 water-white vinegar mixture on an old soft toothbrush to scrub it off, then dry.

Employ the toothbrush approach to metal or ceramic hardware, and the areas around these handles, knobs, and pulls, all of which can accumulate grime and grease.

  1. Clean the glass

Use commercial glass cleaner or a homemade spray solution of one cup of rubbing alcohol, one cup of water, and one tablespoon of white vinegar on any glass cabinet door panes.

  1. Clean the contents

Remember to clean any cookware, dishes, food packages before returning them to the cabinets.

Fortunately Marsden Park has its own shopping centre. There is Ikea, Bunnings, Costco, Aldi and many other stores with cleaning solutions to help get your cupboards into pristine condition.

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