How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets, Including Tough Grease Stains
Banish grease, grime, and food splatters from your kitchen cabinets with these cleaning tricks and helpful tips.
Knowing how to clean kitchen cabinets, which are the focal point of almost every kitchen, can make a big difference in the kitchen's overall appearance because when cabinets are dirty, people will notice. Fingerprints, food splatters, and watermarks are usually the main culprits, but tougher stains can build up over time. Fortunately, our easy tips for how to clean kitchen cabinets can help you tackle all types of issues, including grease stains and sticky cabinets.
To keep your cabinetry pristine, use our time-saving cleaning schedule that alternates between spot-cleans and deep-cleans. When it's time for cleaning, use our tips for the best way to clean kitchen cabinets tailored to individual cabinet styles. After all, what works on a painted cabinet might not work on a glass-front cabinet.
Before you begin, read through the steps and ensure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies. We used standard household supplies, like vinegar and baking soda. You'll also want to double-check what cabinet material you're working with. For example, the difference between wood and laminate can sometimes be tricky to spot. Consult your cabinet owner's manual or speak with a cabinet professional if you're unsure.
Related: 7 Kitchen Items That Need to Be Cleaned or Replaced ASAP
BHG / Laura Wheatley
When to Clean Your Kitchen Cabinets
We recommend a two-part method for how to clean kitchen cabinets, incorporating weekly and seasonal touch-ups to save time and energy.
Weekly: Instead of frequently wiping down cabinets, the best way to clean kitchen cabinets is with a weekly spot treatment. Just spray a multi-purpose cleaner on a microfiber cloth and wipe away fingerprints, spatters, and other marks. Make sure to disinfect the hardware, too.
Seasonally: Give your cabinets a deep clean three or four times yearly. To do so, empty the cabinets of all contents. Then, dab a microfiber cloth with a mild cleanser. Wipe down the shelves and the inside and outside of the door. Use a clean toothbrush to treat the corners and other small crevices. Let dry completely before restocking.
Related: How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen Appliances?
How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets That Are Stained
Your cabinets are home to various items and ingredients. They also get a lot of daily use. Here's how to clean kitchen cabinets with the most common stains.
Fingerprints: The oily residue on fingers can leave unsightly marks on cabinet doors and hardware. Cleaning kitchen cabinets with vinegar will easily remove fingerprints. Dampen a cloth in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar, apply to the prints, and buff clean with a polishing cloth.
Grease: Cabinets directly above the range are most prone to grease stains. But cleaning kitchen cabinet grease isn't tricky. Like oil-based fingerprints, you can clean greasy kitchen cabinets with diluted vinegar. Since these stains are likely larger than a fingerprint, you might need to repeat the process several times to entirely eliminate grease on cabinets.
Food splatters: Maybe a squirt of ketchup landed in the wrong spot, or a countertop spill trickled down to the base cabinets. Whatever the scenario, wipe up food messes as soon as possible with a damp cloth before cleaning kitchen cabinets with baking soda. This is especially true when working with a porous material like wood. You don't want to give the stain a chance to set in. Then, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the spot. Let sit for a few minutes, then wipe away. Polish the area with a clean cloth.
Water stains: If you have hard water, water stains on cabinets can be a common problem when cleaning kitchen cabinets. The best way to prevent water spots is to swap tap water for distilled water whenever you clean your cabinets.
Scuffs: Remove scuffs caused by shoes, tables, or chairs with a soft eraser. Gently rub the eraser along the mark, then wipe away the residue with a clean cloth. This trick is especially handy for cleaning white kitchen cabinets.
Related: 37 Kitchen Cabinet Ideas for Every Design Style
How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets That Are Painted
Painted cabinets are a common feature in kitchens. They're an easy way to inject new color and warmth into a space without a total remodel. But like any other paint project, painted cabinets require some maintenance to look their best. Follow these tips for how to clean kitchen cabinets that are painted:
Mix one part water with two parts baking soda for an easy, budget-friendly spot cleaner. Dab the paste onto the stain, let sit for a few minutes, and wipe clean. Buff out any remaining residue with a clean cloth.
Use a cloth dampened with diluted ammonia to clean grease off kitchen cabinets. Gently wipe the cabinet until the stain is removed or visibly less noticeable.
After several years of wear, consider repainting the cabinets once the paint starts to chip.
How to Clean Wood Cabinets
It can be tough to determine how to clean kitchen cabinets made of wood because they come in many different finishes with various seals. Some seals are more forgiving than others, but stick with gentle cleaners on wood cabinets to be safe. Follow these tips to learn how to clean wood kitchen cabinets:
Use oil soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap ($4, Target), to both clean and shine your cabinets. This non-abrasive solution will make your cabinets look new without causing any damage.
Always use damp, not soaked, cloths when cleaning wood cabinets. Too much liquid saturation will hurt the wood.
Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff and polish the wood. Always wipe with the grain of the wood.
Monitor the cabinets in high-moisture parts of the kitchen, such as directly above the stove. These will need the most care as they're regularly exposed to steam and condensation. Consider an extra coat of sealant for these cabinets.
Related: The Best Woods for Kitchen Cabinets That Suit Every Style
BHG / Laura Wheatley
How to Clean Laminate Cabinets
Laminate is very forgiving. The material responds well to most cleaners and requires little maintenance beyond weekly wipe-downs. Here's how to clean cabinets made of laminate:
Wipe cabinets with an all-purpose cleaning wipe or diluted vinegar. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.
As with painted cabinets, remove stains with a paste made from baking soda and water. Let the mixture set into the stain, then wipe clean.
Avoid using abrasive cleaning pads, which could scratch the cabinet's surface.
For scuffs on lower cabinets, use a soft eraser to remove marks.
How to Clean Glass Cabinets
Glass cabinets are often mixed with another material, such as wood or laminate, to create a paned door. Though the glass is simple to clean, choose an agent that won't harm the adjacent cabinet material. Here's how to clean cabinets with glass:
Use glass cleaner and a polishing cloth to remove fingerprints and other marks from the glass panes.
Open the cabinet door and clean from the inside, too. You'll still need to remove individual marks on the front, but this method lets you wipe down the entire pane in one swipe.
Avoid oil-based cleaners on the adjacent cabinet material. They can leave residue and streaks on the glass that are tricky to remove.
Cleaning Tips for Kitchen Surfaces
Use these tips when deep-cleaning your kitchen for a spotless space to cook meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make my cabinets shine?
Use a small amount of citrus-based oil and a soft cloth to make laminate cabinets shine. Mix equal parts water and vinegar for wood cabinets and spray on the wood. Wipe with a soft cloth. Painted cabinets will shine again by rubbing vegetable oil on them.
Do I need to deep clean cabinets seasonally?
You can deep clean cabinets as often as you like, but use caution with wood cabinets, which too much water or cleaning products can damage. Painted cabinets can scratch if they're scrubbed too vigorously. Also, keep water and other liquids away from hardware and hinges, which can discolor.
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