Tips for Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets Inside and Out

Kitchen cabinets take a beating each and every day. Doors are slammed shut repeatedly, drawers slid in and out, beverages are spilled, and grease and food splatter can quickly coat cabinet fronts with a gummy residue. Over time their exterior can take on a worn out appearance, giving the impression that they need replaced. But there's no need to reface or replace your cabinetry! Instead, by cleaning kitchen cabinets using the proper technique you can bring them back to life and refresh your cabinets in no time flat.

What you'll need to clean kitchen cabinets

- Soft cloth
- Warm water
- White distilled vinegar
- Baking soda
- Mild detergent
- Soft bristled toothbrush
- Vacuum with attachment

If you're going to do a job, you may as well do it right. Block off an entire weekend to finish this project. One day can be set aside for cleaning the inside of the cabinets, the next can be for cleaning the outside. When the job is complete, your cabinets will look and smell clean, and be free of germs, bacteria, and food particles that may attract insects and rodents.

Cleaning kitchen cabinets - Inside

1. Remove everything from inside the cabinets. Food, pots and pans, storage containers…everything must go!

2. Use a vacuum with attachment to clean the area of any debris. You may be surprised how dirty it is in there. Crumbs, food wrappers, spilled spices, and much more have been hiding behind your dishes.

3. Combine a gallon of warm water and ¼ cup vinegar. Use the mixture to wipe down the shelves with a soft cloth. Be sure to clean the cloth each time it becomes dirty.

4. Sticky residue can be removed by adding baking soda to the cloth. Very stubborn areas may require the use of a soft toothbrush.

Cleaning kitchen cabinets - Outside

The main problem with cleaning kitchen cabinets will be grease and food splatter. Grease is particularly difficult to remove, especially on surfaces beside the stove. Here, grease has splatter and dried, splattered again and dried, over and over until it has a thick build-up. Moreover, food splatter hardens and can embed into the grease itself. The best way to remove stubborn grease and food build up is as follows:

Mild detergent - Use a mild detergent that is made specifically for removing grease and oil. Add a few drops to warm water and wipe the cabinet fronts with a soft cloth. A soft bristled toothbrush can be used to clean around door handles, drawer pulls, drawer guides, and other nooks and crannies, Using a hard bristled brush is not advised, as it will scratch the surface and leave marks behind.

Water and vinegar - Follow up by wiping away traces of the detergent with a combination of water and vinegar. Not wiping away the detergent will actually cause another build-up entirely and give the cabinets a muddy appearance.

Once you have clean cabinets that are free of food, grease, and other debris, give them a nice shine with a fragrant orange oil. Not only will it smell great and make your cabinets nice and glossy, but it will also help protect them and make the surface easier to keep clean.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Eliminate Garbage Disposal Odor Once and For All

Best Products for Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

How to Cut Down Kitchen Remodel Costs

Source: Personal knowledge