The Easy Way to Clean the Kitchen Cupboards

Cleaning the kitchen cupboards is not a fun way to spend your afternoon. However, it’s a necessary evil so we might as well make it easier and more enjoyable. 

In this article:

• How often should you clean your kitchen cupboards?
• How to remove stains from kitchen cupboards
• How to clean painted cupboards
• How to clean wooden cupboards
• How to clean glass cupboards
• Conclusion

How often should you clean your kitchen cupboards?

If you’re like me, the answer is probably something along the lines of once in a blue moon. Seriously, I hate cleaning the kitchen cupboards. Give me bathroom cleaning, cleaning the ceramic hob, or the kitchen sink. Just keep cupboards away from me. Cleaning them always takes more time than you intend.

That being said, ever since I increased the cleaning frequency and decreased the intensity, things have been better (who knew, right?). 

What do I mean by that? Instead of investing the time to deep clean the cupboards every once in a while, I clean them lightly every week.

I know this sounds horrible, but trust me – it’s a great way to cut down on your cleaning. You simply spray some soapy water or multipurpose cleaner on a microfiber cloth wipe down your cupboards every weekend. It’s literally that simple.

This way, you can afford to deep clean them seasonally (especially during spring cleaning). Once I started employing this tactic, the task of cabinet cleaning has become a lot more manageable. Don’t get me wrong – it’s still annoying, but it’s a lot more manageable. 

How to remove stains from kitchen cupboards

Sometimes, soapy water or a multipurpose cleaner won’t be enough to save the day (especially if you haven’t cleaned in a while). Since we’re talking about the kitchen, there’s plenty that can go wrong. From splatter made during last Thursday’s chili con carne to pizza grease from last night’s takeout, there’s always something.

In those cases, you’ll need to use something stronger than soapy water.  But this isn’t a “one size fits all” situation, so let’s dive deeper and see what we can do.

• Grease and fingerprints – whether you’ve touched your kitchen cupboards with an oily hand or there’s greasy splatter from cooking, grease is annoying to deal with. Some people recommend using a 1:1 vinegar and water solution but this is total nonsense. White vinegar is not a magic solution. Instead, make some paste from baking soda and water (don’t add vinegar) and lightly clean the oily stains with it.

Note: If you this your first time trying this and you’re not sure how your cupboard will handle it, simply test the solution on a small patch out of sight. This way, even if there is a problem, you won’t ruin your cupboards. 

• Food splatter – small pockets of air sometimes form during cooking and food splatters everywhere when they burst. Obviously, take care of yourself if the splatter has burnt you. If you’re unharmed but your kitchen cupboards look like a modern art canvas, you need to act quickly before the stains get a chance to set in. Wipe off the stains with a paper towel (preferably recyclable) and then clean them with a paste of baking soda and water. If this is your first time trying baking soda on your cupboards, refer to the note above.
• Hard water stains – sometimes, it’s not food but water that leaves its mark on your cabinets. Luckily, you probably have the perfect tool to clean them up in your kitchen already. Now you can whip up a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water use it to clean the hard water stains. White vinegar is perfect for cleaning mineral deposits. Again, if this is your first time trying this, refer to the note above.

Note: Many people don’t like the smell of white vinegar. The good news is, you can easily make your own scented white vinegar for cleaning at home. 

How to clean painted cupboards

Painted cabinets are a great way to spruce up your kitchen without having to completely remodel it. Unfortunately, they can also be a nightmare to clean.

Since it’s easy to damage the paint, you should put extra care in cleaning painted kitchen cupboards. Usually, soapy water will get the job done. If you need something stronger, try baking soda and water.

Alternatively, you can use an all-purpose cleaner, or better yet – a cleaner specifically for painted surfaces. I’d advise against using white vinegar since it can damage the paint.

How to clean wooden cupboards

Wooden cupboards give your kitchen a more classical feel. You can’t go wrong with wood in the aesthetics department, but it’s not always easy to maintain.

For one, it’s not a good idea to use white vinegar on a wooden cupboard. It strips down the polish, giving the wood a dull, tortured look no one likes.

Also, you should mind the dampness. Never use a wet cloth to clean wood. Slightly damp – yes. Wet – no. Wood is excellent at absorbing moisture. Once it’s had its fill of moisture, it will expand and deform.

Baking soda and water also won’t work here. It’s best to use a non-abrasive solution, so either soapy water (again, slightly damp cloth) or a wood cleaner.

How to clean glass cupboards

This is where we enter a gray area. While white vinegar is a great homemade glass cleaner (solution of 2 parts vinegar and 1 part water), you should be extra careful with how you apply it. While it won’t damage the glass, it may damage adjacent surfaces or materials.

The same goes for commercial glass cleaners. The best way to avoid problems is to use a microfibre cloth and spray the cleaning product on the cloth instead of the glass. Then wipe the glass parts of the cupboards and remove any smudges without touching other materials. 

Conclusion

While cleaning your cupboards is not an enjoyable experience, it’s a necessary evil. However, you can lighten the load by cleaning more frequently (prevention, as they say, is the best cure).

When it comes to stains or deep cleaning, it’s a good idea to know what you’re up against. Using the proper cleaner against a certain stain on a certain surface will save you a world of hurt. I hope this article helps.

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Author: Atanas Dzhingarov

Hi, I’m Atanas - brand consultant and writer. I’m helping Samyx Cleaning create the best cleaning company blog on the Internet. Join us on our journey and learn how to live a cleaner, healthier, happier life in the process.