Every spring there are two things on everyone’s minds: Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs and Spring cleaning. Some may argue that one is more fun than the other, but we will let you make that call! 😉
If you’re anything like us, you’re probably obsessed with watching cleaning videos on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Come on, they’re SO satisfying! Who would have thought that there would be a community of people online who all love watching a person clean their baseboards? You might even have bought every cleaning product they’ve suggested and now you have a small army of bottles and sprays at the ready – don’t worry we can help you with that too… Insert cabinet accessories.
As experts in all things wood and cabinetry, we understand that all of these store-bought potions are unnecessary when it comes to your cabinetry. In fact, they will actually deteriorate your cabinetry over time. To ensure that your cabinets will be clean, crisp, and last as long as possible, we’re going to share our top tips for cleaning your cabinetry.
Keep It Simple
When it comes to tidying your custom cabinetry, our #1 piece of advice is to keep it simple.
It’s tempting to scrub hard at any stains or spots, but unfortunately that has the opposite effect. The best thing you can do to keep your cabinetry clean and extend its life is to be gentle.
It’s easy to forget that wood is an organic material that changes over time. Therefore, the way you treat it matters! Wood will absorb liquid, which means cleaning products with lots of chemicals are a no go. The last thing you want is for the paint or stain on your cabinets to break down just because you went overboard with the cleaning products. But we get it, it can be hard to know what information to trust!
To prevent any confusion, let’s start with the basics of cabinet cleaning.
Cabinet Care 101
This might come as a shock, but the only thing you should be cleaning your cabinets with is water. Regardless of how messy they look or what you spilled on them; water is usually the answer.
Following the cleaning instructions outlined below is your best bet for increasing the life of your cabinetry.
Our recommended process for routine clean:
- Grab a microfiber cloth
- Dampen your microfiber cloth with warm water
- Lightly wipe down cabinets in a circular motion
- Dry your cabinetry with a dry microfiber cloth in the same circular motion
Our recommended process for deep clean:
- Mix warm water with a drop of blue Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle
- Lightly spray cabinets and follow the standard cleaning process
Dos and Don’ts of Cabinet Cleaning
Sticking to these routine and deep cleaning methods are the best thing you can do, but here’s some general dos and don’ts to keep in mind!
DO
- Use no more than a tiny drop of blue Dawn dish soap
- Practice regular, routine cleaning
- Deep clean every three to five months
DON’T
- Use harsh cleaning products on your cabinets (especially ones with wax)
- Polish your cabinets with Pine Sol (it may look like they’re getting shiny and clean, but it’s really deteriorating the finish)
- Leave liquid of any kind on your cabinets (wipe it up right away)
Why Cabinet Cleaning Matters
So, why is properly cleaning your cabinets important?
No matter how much money you spent on your cabinetry, whether it’s completely custom or a part of your rental home, it is good to take care of what you have and try and make it last as long as possible. Cleaning your cabinetry correctly will help them to stand the test of time and keep their value.
Another upside of taking care of your cabinetry is that your cabinets are much easier to refinish since the wood has not been damaged. Instead of being forced to purchase all new cabinets, you can upgrade your existing ones.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of the next big cleaning product or method, but keep in mind that oftentimes the most minimal solutions are the ones that have the longest positive impact.
Have more questions about cabinetry cleaning? Send us a message on social media and we’ll help you figure out a solution!
