Kitchen Cabinet Maintenance Tips

Posted on: October 10, 2018

Your kitchen cabinets make up the most of your kitchen space that’s why when they’re dirty or already worn-out, people will easily notice.

Aside from being a kitchen focal point, your kitchen cabinets also help you keep your kitchen organized and clutter-free, that’s why it’s important to keep them in good condition.

Having that said, here are five kitchen cabinet maintenance tips that you can use to keep your kitchen cabinets in tip-top shape:

  1. Clean your kitchen cabinets regularly

Aside from keeping your kitchen cabinets hygienic, regular cleaning will also help maintain their beautiful color and finish.

Since kitchen cabinet doors are exposed to dust and cooking moisture, their surfaces need to be cleaned more often than their interiors.

A weekly surface cleaning routine is highly recommended to prevent dirt and grease build-up and to address stains early on.

On the other hand, emptying out your kitchen cabinets for deep interior cleaning needs to be done quarterly. Although this task is obviously time-consuming, it won’t only keep your cupboards and drawers clean, it will also help you sort through items and decide what needs to be tossed or donated.

Also, take note of cleaning and disinfecting your kitchen cabinet hardware, especially the handles because they accumulate bacteria and germs the most.

  1. Use the right cleaning materials

In cleaning your kitchen cabinets, no matter how dirty and gunky they are, do not use scouring pads, scrub brushes, bleaches, and harsh chemical cleaners.

Yes, these abrasive cleaners can clean your kitchen cabinets, but they can also cause scratches, discoloration, and damage to your cabinets.

Instead, use a dry microfiber cloth for dusty surfaces and a damp one for greasy surfaces. However, if a damp microfiber cloth isn’t enough, you can consider using a mixture of dishwashing soap and warm water, or a diluted mild all-purpose cleaner.

For hard to reach corners, and paneled cabinet doors, you can use either a clean toothbrush or a cotton swab.

While in cleaning and disinfecting your kitchen cabinet hardware, it’s best to use a material-specific cleaning solution to preserve the quality of the hardware (e.g. brass cleaning solution for brass hardware).

  1. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight

If you have wooden kitchen cabinets, you should avoid directly exposing it to sunlight because ultraviolet rays can fade and discolor their exteriors.

You should consider using kitchen curtains, blinds, or window films for your kitchen windows to protect your wooden kitchen cabinet doors from sun damage.

  1. Prevent water and moisture damage

Water and exposure to moisture can make wooden kitchen cabinets warp, discolor, and in worse cases, infested with mold.

That’s why if you’re storing your kitchen utensils and dishes inside your kitchen cabinets, you should wipe them first before storing and consider using stainless steel or plastic utensil inserts and dish racks. You can also place a tray or a cabinet liner on the surface below it so that water leaks won’t damage your kitchen cabinets.

Another factor that can cause moisture damage is cooking moisture. Although exposure to cooking moisture is unavoidable, you can lessen its effect by using an exhaust fan or an exhaust hood while cooking.

  1. Handle with Care

Last but not least, handle your kitchen cabinets with care. Avoid slamming your kitchen cabinet doors too hard, scrubbing and scratching while cleaning, and make sure that your hands are clean before you touch them.

However, if these tips aren’t working on your kitchen cabinet doors because they’re already deteriorated, consider refacing your kitchen cabinets instead. For best results, choose a local contractor that will help you choose a material that is suitable to your needs and will complement your kitchen theme.

Reface your kitchen cabinets with us today! Contact us at(800) 581-0694 and get a free quote.