Cleaning and Caring for Kitchen Cabinets

Since kitchen cabinets are used frequently and occupy large spaces, they are exposed to elements that can cause them to degrade. Many homeowners don’t realize the importance of taking care of cabinets. They need to be cleaned and looked after on a regular basis. Dust, moisture, and creepy insects are just a few things that can accumulate inside of cabinets. Keeping the door closed isn’t enough to protect the interior. The exterior requires occasional repainting or staining.

It can be a nuisance to replace the kitchen cabinets. You can prolong their lives and save money if you take care of them properly. Here are some ways to clean and maintain cabinets in your kitchen:

Make sure you’re using the right kind of cleaning agents. Avoid any type of spray polish that contains ingredients that are potentially flammable, such as petroleum solvents. Always use a clean, damp cloth when wiping up normal spills. Dry the surface with a cotton cloth. If there are stubborn stains that just don’t want to come off, use a mild detergent. Never, ever allow the surface to remain wet. Always dry it immediately after wiping. Avoid the following: powdered cleansers, abrasive cleansers, oven cleaner, and dirty dish cloths that many contain remnants of detergents or grease.
Don’t forget the hardware. You’ll want to clean the drawer or door knobs/pulls periodically with warm water and mild soap. Thoroughly dry all the hardware surfaces and joints as well as the surrounding area with a soft, clean towel or cloth. While lubrication is not necessary, hinges should still be dusted every now and then with Q-tips. Do NOT use any cleaning agent with harsh chemicals on silver or brass polishes.
You can care for the inside of cabinets by making sure all of the items you place in it are all dust-free and clean. If crumbs still somehow end up on the inside, you might want to try sweeping it out with a handheld broom or even vacuuming with a handheld vacuum cleaner. Make sure the setting is on low and that all of the items are cleared out.
If you ever need to repaint the cabinet, choose between oil and latex, as both paints provide several advantages. Oil-based paint is often the most preferred due to its ability to provide smooth, yet durable results. It’s not necessary to spray the paint in order to get a smooth finish. Using a brush to paint will give you more control over where the paint actually goes.
Always wipe up splashes and spills as soon as they occur. Give extra attention to areas around the dishwasher and sink. Never leave a wet cloth or dish towel hanging over the countertop where they could drip onto cabinet doors. A convenient solution is to go with a sliding towel rack that can be installed at the back of the countertop.
If your kitchen cabinetry has glass doors, you will not want to spray any glass cleaner directly onto the glass. Instead, apply it onto a clean towel. Do not use any cleaners with lead, gold-, white-, or copper-clad mullions.

Just taking necessary precautions and spending a few minutes cleaning the kitchen cabinets every week or so will help them to last longer.

Cleaning and Caring for Kitchen Cabinets

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