If you’d like to maintain the look and function of your kitchen cabinets, a few easy steps can be effective. First, avoid the use of soap and abrasive cleaners. Instead, use a baking soda or sponge to clean them. Also, adjust the fronts of your cabinet doors and drawers twice a year.
Avoiding harsh cleaners
Using a mild soap and water solution is the most recommended method for cleaning most types of kitchen cabinets. Keeping in mind that too much moisture can damage wood surfaces, you should always test your solution on a small area before applying it to the entire cabinet surface. Use a sponge or soft cloth to apply the solution. Allow it to soak in for about 30 seconds before rinsing off with clean water. After the cleaning solution dries, wipe the cabinet surface with a clean, dry cloth.
While cleaning your cabinets, avoid using sprays and paint on the surface. These can leave marks on your cabinets for years to come and can cause damage to your finish. Also, avoid putting wet items onto cabinet doors as it can scratch the surface. Also, do not use dishwashers near cabinet doors. If you use a dishwasher, you should make sure to open the door after the heat from the dishwasher has dissipated. Lastly, avoid harsh cleaners, self-polishing waxes, and abrasive cleaning products. These can damage the finish of your cabinets and cause a yellowing effect.
Using baking soda
If you want to keep the insides of your kitchen cabinets clean, using baking soda and water on a damp cloth can do wonders. The mixture can remove tough stains and grease. Apply it with a soft sponge or rag and work it into the surface using circular motions. Once you’ve finished, wipe the cabinet dry with a clean cloth.
To prepare this mixture, you’ll need a small bowl or basin. You’ll also need warm water. The water will dilute the baking soda and vinegar, so that they won’t damage your cabinets. After using the solution, wipe down the surface with a dry microfiber cloth or dry rag.
Avoiding sponge
Sponges can be harsh on the wood finish of kitchen cabinets. They often carry residues from harsh cleaning solutions and food oils, which can damage wood finishes. Keep them away from the surface of your cabinets, and always avoid their rough sides. This will prevent them from scratching the wood finish.
Sponges also harbor bacteria. If you use a dish sponge to clean food, you’ll be risking the spread of harmful foodborne pathogens. In addition, these sponges may smell bad, so you should toss them in the garbage as soon as you finish cleaning. Instead of using sponges, use dishcloths and disinfectant wipes to wipe down the countertops.
To clean kitchen cabinets, you should use mild soap and water. Avoid using too much water, as too much moisture is the enemy of wood. You should apply the solution to a soft cloth or sponge and then thoroughly rinse the cabinet with clean, fresh water. When you’re done, use a dry cloth to wipe away any leftover detergent.
Adjusting cabinet door and drawer fronts twice a year
Properly aligning cabinet door and drawer fronts can help improve the appearance of your kitchen. To ensure a perfect alignment, adjust each front at least twice a year. The video below will show you how to align your drawers and cabinet doors properly. It also shows how to adjust your cabinet doors on 6-way hinges.
The hinges on cabinet doors can become loose with age or use. To adjust them, first loosen the top and bottom screws. Then tighten them to maintain the proper tension. Make sure not to over tighten screws, because it may cause excessive strain. Likewise, creaky cabinet doors can be a major inconvenience, especially if you open and close them at odd times.
Cleaning the inside of cabinets
Before you can begin cleaning the inside of your kitchen cabinets, you need to remove all items and wipe them down. This will remove crumbs and food particles from the inside of the cabinet. You can use a mild dish soap and water solution to scrub the inside of your cabinet. The solution is safe for wood, laminate, and metal. It will remove dirt and moderate grease buildup without damaging the wood finish. If you don’t have a cleaning solution on hand, white vinegar can also be used, as it has antibacterial properties and can sanitize the surface of the cabinet.
For a tough job, you can use bleach. This solution is not harmful to your health, but it does contain chlorine, so you should only use it on surfaces that are not used for food. Always remember to wear a mask and rubber gloves when working with bleach.