Cleaning Your Kitchen Cabinets

Cleaning your kitchen cabinets is a delicate procedure which is based on the type of material from which your kitchen cabinets are made. If the cabinets in your kitchen appear to be worn out or damaged, they might just need a good cleaning. Instead of going out and spending thousands of dollars to replace the kitchen cabinets or hundreds trying to reface them, you should first try to clean them. Cleaning your kitchen cabinets can do wonders in terms of reviving the original luster. It takes years for dirt and kitchen grime to accumulate on your kitchen cabinets but with the appropriate cleaning solution you can remove years in a matter of minutes.

The first step when cleaning your kitchen cabinets is to remove all handles, knobs, and other hardware. If the handles are not made of wood, then they should be left to sit in a solution which is fifty percent warm water and fifty percent white vinegar. After they have been left to soak they should be scrubbed with a toothbrush, rinsed, and dried.

After this you should begin working on the cabinet surfaces. As with all things, begin working on a small and inconspicuous area first to make sure that no damage to the surface or paint or stain results from the cleaning solution used. Allow this area to dry before you proceed. One you have determined that the cleaning solution is safe you can wash all of your finished surfaces.

Begin by mixing liquid dishwashing soap, oil soap, or a commercial cleanser with warm water. Take a micro fiber cloth, a soft sponge, or a plastic pad and allow it to soak into the solution. After this apply it to the cabinets in the direction of the grain. If you use commercial cleansers you should follow the instructions carefully so as to avoid marring the surface of your wood cabinets. Once you finish washing down each cabinet, wipe it is clean with a soft and dry cloth. Leave them to dry if any other liquid remains but be sure to thoroughly wash off the cleansing mixture.

Once your wood cabinets or laminate cabinets are dry and no sticky areas remain you can apply orange oil or commercial lemon oil. This will restore the shine and leave a citrus scent in your kitchen. This process should be completed annually. During this process be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin.