A Guide to Cleaning Your Kitchen Cabinets

Spring cleaning is upon us! Time to open those windows and let the germs out.

Your kitchen cabinets are one of the most used and eye-catching features in your home and keeping them clean is essential for maintaining their beauty and longevity. Whether you've just installed new cabinetry or want to refresh your existing ones, a proper cleaning routine will help prevent dirt, grease, and stains from building up. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why cleaning your cabinets is important, the best products and techniques to use (even the controversial ones), and how to maintain them—from everyday cleaning to deep cleaning—to keep them looking their best for many years to come.

Why Cabinet Care Is Important

The most obvious reason to clean your cabinets is to maintain a fresh and tidy kitchen. If you spend a lot of time cooking, your cabinets are constantly exposed to greasy fingerprints, spills, and food residue. Plus, when handling raw ingredients, keeping your cabinets clean is important for maintaining a hygienic space.

Over time, dirt and buildup can wear down your cabinets' finish, leaving them looking dull or worn. To prevent this, maintain a consistent cleaning routine to preserve their beauty and durability. With regular care, your cabinets will stay as stunning as the day they were installed, remaining a lasting feature in your home.

Beyond appearance, proper maintenance can also protect your investment by addressing minor issues before they turn into costly repairs. In this guide, we’ll cover which harsh chemicals to avoid, the best gentle cleaners to use, and why wiping up spills immediately can prevent stains, warping, and surface deterioration.

Effective Cleaning Techniques for Your Cabinets

Though it may be time consuming, keeping your kitchen cabinets clean doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right approach, you can remove dust, grease, and everyday grime without damaging the finish. Follow these simple step-by-step guides below to ensure your cabinets stay spotless and well-maintained.

Everyday Cabinet Cleaning

For daily or weekly maintenance, we recommend using Dawn dish soap mixed with warm water. This simple solution effectively removes dust, fingerprints, and light grease without damaging the cabinet finish.

Here is our step-by-step guide for everyday cleaning:

1. Dust first – Use a microfiber cloth or duster to remove surface dust. Avoid rough sponges or abrasive materials that can scratch the finish.

2. Mix your cleaning solution – Add 5 drops of Dawn dish soap to a gallon of warm water.

3. Dampen a microfiber cloth – Wring out excess liquid to avoid over-saturating the wood.

4. Wipe down cabinets – Follow the natural grain or direction of the material for a streak-free finish.

5. Dry thoroughly – Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any moisture and prevent water damage.

   
   

This method keeps your cabinets looking fresh while being gentle enough for everyday use.

Deep Cabinet Cleaning

Over time, kitchen cabinets can accumulate grease, food splatters, and sticky fingerprints, especially if you cook frequently, have kids, or pets. While everyday cleaning helps maintain their appearance, an occasional deep clean is necessary to remove hard-built-up grime and restore their original shine, which we recommend every six months.

For tougher messes, we recommend using a spray degreaser or multi-surface cleaner, such as Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray or Mr. Clean, Clean Freak All-Purpose Cleaner Spray.

Important: These cleaners are safe for painted, stained, and clear-coated cabinets if used SPARINGLY and correctly. Always spray onto a microfiber cloth first—never directly onto the cabinet—to prevent oversaturation. Keep in mind a little goes a long way.

Here is our step-by-step guide for deep cleaning:

1. Dust first – Use a microfiber cloth or duster to remove surface debris and avoid scratching the finish.

2. Apply the cleaner -- Lightly spray microfiber cloth with your cleaner -- never spray directly onto cabinets to prevent oversaturation.

3. Gently wipe down cabinets – Follow the wood grain or material direction for a streak-free finish.

4. Use the Dawn dish soap solution (from the everyday cleaning method) – Wipe down cabinets again with the Dawn mixture (5 drops of Dawn in a gallon of warm water) to remove any residue from the degreaser.

5. Wipe again with a damp cloth – Go over the cabinets with a clean, damp microfiber cloth to ensure no cleaning product remains.

6. Dry thoroughly – Always dry cabinets completely with a clean microfiber cloth to prevent water damage.

   
   

Best and Worst Products for Cleaning Cabinets

Using the right cleaning products is crucial for keeping your cabinets looking their best while protecting their finish. Below are our top recommendations for both everyday cleaning and deep cleaning—as well as the products to avoid that could damage your cabinets over time.

Best Everyday Cleaning Products

For regular maintenance, we recommend gentle, non-abrasive cleaners that effectively remove dust and light grease without harming the finish.

• Rejuvenate Cabinet and Furniture Cleaner – A great option for everyday use or occasional use every few months. This cleaner leaves cabinets streak-free and enhances their shine without damaging the surface.

• Dawn Platinum Dish Soap (5 drops per gallon of warm water) – A simple yet powerful option for daily use, it keeps your cabinets looking fresh while gently removing dirt and grease without damaging the finish.

Best Deep Cleaning Products (Every 6 months)

For tackling tougher stains, spills, and grease buildup, these multi-surface cleaners are excellent when used SPARINGLY and correctly.

• Mr. Clean, Clean Freak All-Purpose Cleaner Spray - Ideal for tackling tough stains and grease.

• Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray - A more gentle option for a deeper clean without damaging finishes.

• Murphy's Oil Products - Ideal for dirt and grim for natural wood cabinets.

  
  

While these products work well for removing stubborn stains and grease they should NOT be used daily. To protect your cabinets, always spray onto a microfiber cloth first rather than directly onto the cabinet surface.

Cleaning Products to AVOID

Certain cleaning products can strip the finish, cause discoloration, or damage the wood over time. To protect your cabinets, avoid using:

• Harsh Chemicals & Abrasive Cleaners – Bleach, ammonia, and strong degreasers can strip the cabinet’s finish, leading to dullness and damage.

• Scouring Pads & Steel Wool – These can scratch and wear down the surface, leaving permanent marks.

• Vinegar & Baking Soda Mixtures – While often used in DIY cleaning solutions, vinegar is acidic and can break down the finish over time, while baking soda can be too abrasive.

• Magic Erasers – Though effective on tough stains, they are abrasive and can wear down the protective coating on your cabinets.

By using the right products and following proper cleaning techniques, you can preserve the beauty and durability of your cabinets for a lasting, like-new appearance.

Conclusion

Now it's times to kick it into gear and get those kitchen cabinets clean!

Keeping your kitchen cabinets clean is one of the easiest ways to refresh your space and keep your kitchen looking its best. As one of the most noticeable features in your home, cabinets can quickly make or break the look of your kitchen. Fingerprints, food splatters, and watermarks can leave them looking messy, while grease and grime build-up over time can dull their finish.

By following this cleaning guide and using the right techniques and products, you can effortlessly maintain the beauty and longevity of your cabinets. Be mindful of your cabinet’s finish and choose a cleaning solution that is both safe and effective for its material. Remember to scrub gently to avoid damage and wipe up spills immediately to prevent stains or warping.

A little effort goes a long way—remember to stick to gentle cleaners, wipe spills immediately, and deep clean every six months to prevent buildup. Your cabinets will thank you with a spotless, polished look you can be proud of!

Want custom cabinetry that’s both stylish and easy to maintain? Contact us today to explore our high-quality, durable kitchen cabinetry options!