The Complete Guide To Keeping White Cabinets Clean

Many homeowners adore the bright look and spacious feel of an all-white kitchen or bathroom. White cabinets can boost the value of your home and give spaces a positive feel. To keep these stunning accents as gorgeous as the day you bought them, periodic cleaning is important. This guide shows you the right and wrong ways to clean and protect white cabinets.

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Everyday Cleaning Tips for White Cabinets

It pays to take good care of custom cabinetry, and white cabinets need extra TLC. Fortunately, getting rid of dust, smudges and handprints only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps to keep kitchen cabinets looking shiny and attractive!

Microfiber Wipe Down

For everyday cleaning, wipe white cabinets down with a microfiber cloth. The microfiber picks up dirt and dust, gliding effortlessly over surfaces. Typically, you don’t even have to moisten the rag. Most of the time, all that’s needed is a quick once-over for the doors and knobs.

Quick Mealtime Cleanup

In many kitchen tasks, you can save time by focusing on preventative cleaning. This goes for wiping up spills on your cabinets, too. Cleaning food splashes right away is easier than scrubbing them later.

Following this tip also helps to protect your gorgeous cabinets from stains. If spaghetti sauce splatters everywhere, you should wipe it up ASAP with a damp microfiber cloth. The same thing goes for red wine, coffee, tea and markers.

Easy Cabinet Cleaning

Sometimes, wiping down cabinets with a dry microfiber cloth isn’t enough. For example, if kids accidentally spill cola or juice, you need an actual cleaning solution to remove the sticky film. Otherwise, the residue will attract dust and cause dirty spots. Wet your rag with a gentle cleaning solution, wring it out and clean the whole cabinet face. It can often be a good idea to dilute the cleaning solution with some warm water if you are worried it could harm the finish on the cabinet doors and drawers.

A Helpful Way To Prevent Grease and Grime

One great way to save a lot of time cleaning is to cover the top of kitchen cabinet shelves with wax paper. That way, instead of having to scrub accumulated grease and grime, you just throw away the paper.

Easy and Effective DIY Cleaning Products for White Cabinets

You don’t need any special products to clean white cabinets. Normal ingredients from around the kitchen work just fine.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Mix one cup vinegar, two cups warm water and one tablespoon baking soda. This mixture is excellent for getting rid of stains. For extra power, make a paste with the baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.

Dishwashing Soap

Prepare a dish soap solution in the sink or a small container. Dilute one part of mild dishwashing soap with two parts of warm water. This combination softens and removes built-up grease easily.

The Eraser Method

Believe it or not, the fastest way to remove scuff marks from shoes is to rub them with a soft eraser. Let the eraser do the work.

Tricks for a Deeper Clean

To preserve the spotless appearance of white cabinets, don’t forget to wipe the edges, too. Grease that gets into nooks and crannies can make the whole door look dirty. How can you reach into corners effectively?

Grab a soft-bristled toothbrush. With the same solution you use to clean the front of cabinets, wet the toothbrush and scrub gently. Cabinet pulls and handles also benefit from this type of cleaning.

Once you’ve finished scrubbing away the grime, it’s time to rinse. Wet a rag with clear water and wipe away the solution. Then, dry the cabinet with a cloth.

How Often Should You Clean White Cabinets?

The amount of cleaning required depends on your home, lifestyle and cabinet style. Kitchen cabinets generally need more TLC than bathroom cabinets. Flat-panel or shaker cabinets are easier to keep clean than styles with complex edge profiles or planks.

For homes with central air, cabinets may only need a wipe-down once a week. On the other hand, if you love opening the windows for fresh air, you’ll probably need to dust daily. Parents with small kids often end up spot cleaning cabinets several times a week.

Cooks who do a lot of sautéing or frying in the kitchen may notice a tendency for grease to stick to cabinets. This can give white surfaces a yellowish hue. In this situation, cabinet edges need deep cleaning at least once a month, usually twice.

The Biggest Mistakes To Avoid With White Kitchen Cabinets

Painted cabinets need periodic cleaning, but you have to be careful not to damage the finish. Unlike darker woods that can hide a lot of imperfections, white cabinets show everything. Avoid these common mistakes to keep them in excellent condition.

1. Not Using the Range Hood

You may be thinking, “Who has time to flip on the range hood every time they cook?” Unfortunately, that’s one of the prices you must pay for keeping an immaculate white kitchen. You need to keep grease and cooking vapors away from cabinet surfaces, countertops and flooring, or else you’ll be scrubbing constantly.

2. Getting Cabinets Overly Wet

Whenever you wipe down your cabinets, make sure to wring out any excess water from the rag. The cloth should only be damp, not wet. If you’re using a bottle with a cleaning solution, spray the rag first and then wipe, don’t spray the cabinets directly. Too much moisture can damage cabinets, making the hinges rust or causing the wood to swell.

3. Being Too Aggressive With Cleaning

One of the main concerns with any cabinets is scratches. With white cabinets, scratches and scuff marks are especially noticeable, and even more when you have a glossy finish.

Avoid grinding dirt into the finish when dusting. Resist the temptation to use pads or brushes with stiff bristles for cleaning. Only use microfiber cloths or soft toothbrushes when you need to scrub dirt or grease away.

White Cabinets Forever

White cabinets never go out of style. They feel modern and classic at the same time. They're both relaxing and elegant, and they adapt to virtually any design style, from country comfort to minimalist. Don't let the need to clean prevent you from enjoying the beauty of a white kitchen. Get inspired by our huge selection of painted kitchen cabinets right away.

If you are ready to get going on your home improvement project or if you need assistance getting started, please feel free to call us at 1-855-669-5222 or an email to info@cabinetnow.com. Our well-trained sales staff can help you with everything from measuring to ordering.