THE KITCHEN: Clean Kitchen Cabinets

Clean Kitchen Cabinets

By Sarah Aguirre

Photo Credit: Steve Cole/Getty Images

Fingerprints, food smudges, and greasy buildup can leave your kitchen cabinets looking dingy and dull. The longer you wait to clean them, the harder it becomes. Find out how to restore your cabinet's luster in just a few simple steps.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 30-1 hr.

Here's How:

1. Regular Cleaning: ExteriorMost cabinet types, including metal, plastic laminate, painted wood, and vinyl cabinets, can be cleaned with a solution of dish soap liquid and warm water. This simple and mild solution is enough to get food smudges, dust, and mild grease build-up off of your cabinets. Rinse thoroughly with another clean cloth, before drying with a final cloth.
2. Heavy Duty Cleaning: Exterior For heavy build-ups of grease and dust, your best bet is a commercial cleaner designed to be used on wood kitchen cabinets. My favorites are cleaners with orange oil. They have a way of breaking down the thick grime that can accumulate on cabinet surfaces. Be sure to read the instructions before using, and test first in a hidden spot.
3. Interior Cleaning Empty each cabinet, beginning with the top most one. Remove shelf lining if necessary. Wash the interior of the cabinets with warm water and a mild detergent. If the interior cabinets have a lot of crumbs and residue, it may be a good idea to vacuum the cabinets out after they've been emptied, before wiping them down. Rinse with another clean damp cloth. Wipe dry with an additional cloth.
4. Cleaning Cabinet ContentsWipe down dusty cans and containers with warm water and dish soap on a dampened cloth. Throw out any items that have expired. Leave the cabinets open for a 1-2 hours to fully dry, before replacing the contents of the cabinet.

Tips:

An all-purpose cleaner can be used to clean cabinets too, but it's important to test cleaners in a hidden spot to make sure that they won't damage your cabinet's finish