How to Clean Your Painted Kitchen Cabinets
It can sometimes seem impossible to keep your kitchen clean. And while most people clean their countertops, stoves, and floors on a regular basis, they often forget to clean their cabinets. With all the splatters, spills, and dirty fingerprints, you might be surprised by how much of this buildup sticks around and attracts more dust and dirt. Over time, this buildup can get harder to get rid of safely, especially if you use cleaners that are too harsh and damage the paint on your cabinets.
So, when it’s time to clean your painted cabinets, you’ll need to clean them gently. Keep reading to find out about the best ways to do this.
How Often Should Kitchen Cabinets Be Cleaned?
The best time to clean your kitchen cabinets is once a week or every other week. But this amount will change depending on how often they are used. In general, the less grease and hard-to-get-off stains build up on your cabinets, the more often you wipe them down. By cleaning often, you can get rid of unwanted dirt, bacteria, and grease. And cleaning painted cabinets often will help the paint last longer.
How to Clean Cabinets Made of Painted Wood
When you clean your painted wood cabinets, you need to be aware that too much water and rough cleaning tools can damage the wood and paint. So, you can try a few different gentle ways to clean, depending on how much dirt and grease have built up. These different ways include:
- For light splatters and dust, wipe your cabinets gently with a damp, soft cloth (microfiber works best). Then, dry them with another cloth or towel.
- Use dish soap and warm water to make a cleaning solution with a little bit of foam. This can be used to get rid of grease and grime. Dip a soft cloth into this mixture, being careful not to soak it too much, and use it to remove grease from your cabinets by moving it around in circles. Once the grease is gone, use another cloth and water without soap to get rid of any suds or spots that are still there. Dry the cabinets with a rag.
- As a cleaning solution, mix 1 cup of vinegar, 2 cups of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Use this on grease and stains that are tougher to get rid of (tip: add a small amount of dish soap for extra-strength). Take a soft cloth, dip it into this mixture, and use it to clean the grease and stains that are on your cabinets that are harder to reach. Or, use a mixture of vinegar and water that can be sprayed and let it sit on the stains for a few minutes before cleaning them off. Once you’re done, use another cloth and water without soap to wipe away any leftover dirt. Dry the cabinets with a rag.
If the natural solutions above don’t do the trick, you can also use paint-safe cleaners. Just make sure to test a small area first. But if you clean more often, you won’t have to clean your cabinets as hard, which could damage the paint.
How to Clean Painted Cabinets Without Making a Mess
- Scrubbers or sponges with rough edges
- Bleach, ammonia, and other harsh chemicals are used in some cleaners.
- Soaking your cabinets
- Getting water on your hinges or inside your cabinets
- letting wet cabinets dry in the air
How to Clean Cabinets That Have Been Painted
Regular, gentle cleaning is the best way to keep your cabinets free of stains, grease, dust, and other dirt. Here are some more tips to help keep your kitchen cabinets clean:
- Wipe them down often.
- When you use the kitchen, clean as you go.
- Clean up spills right away.
- Don’t hang damp towels over cabinets doors or drawers
- Once or twice a year, give the outside and inside a deep clean.
- When it’s time, touch up the paint.
Do you need to refinish the cabinets you just cleaned?
Even though you cleaned your cabinets, do you think they still look a little worse for wear? Getting a new coat of paint might be a good idea if the old one is dull or has chips in it. You can count on the local experts at CCT Apex House Painting to give your cabinets a new coat of paint that looks great. We can help make your cabinets and other parts of your home look like new again, both inside and out. Call us at (919) 646-5009 or schedule an estimate online today to find out more.