Would You Please Clean Up? How to Clean Wood Cabinets around the House

When you think about cleaning up your kitchen, what comes to mind?

Probably tasks like loading the dishwasher, wiping down the countertops, or mopping the floor.

What about your wood cabinets, though? When was the last time you cleaned them?

If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your kitchen cabinets, it’s probably a good idea to move that task up to the top of your to-do list.

Not sure how to clean wood cabinets? Read on for some tips that will help you clean your cabinets and keep them looking nice for as long as possible.

How Often Should You Clean Wood Cabinets?

Before getting into the specific steps you need to take to clean your wood cabinets, let’s go over how often you ought to be cleaning them.

Whether you have high-quality RTA cabinets or antique cabinets that have been in the kitchen for decades, cabinet cleaning ought to be a regular part of your routine.

How often do you actually need to clean them, though?

How Often Do You Cook?

Generally speaking, the frequency with which you clean your kitchen cabinets will vary depending on the number of times you cook each week. If you cook on a daily basis, you probably ought to wipe them down once per day.

This might seem like a lot, but a quick wipe down when you’re tidying up the kitchen for the night will go a long way toward keeping your cabinets looking nice and well-maintained. Remember, too, that the more frequently you do this, the easier it will be and the less dust, dirt, and buildup will have collected on them.

If you only cook once or twice per week, wipe your counters down once you’re finished cooking.

At this point, you might be thinking something along the following lines: “I never cook? Does that mean I never have to clean my kitchen cabinets?”

Nice try, but that not quite the way it works.

Dust will continue to build up on your cabinets whether you cook or not. Even if your kitchen is fully decorative, try to dedicate one day per week to wiping down your cabinets to minimize dust and dirt build up.

How to Clean Wood Cabinets

You don’t have to totally update your kitchen to make it look fresh and inviting. Keeping the cabinets clean goes a long way toward maintaining your kitchen and making sure it’s appealing to anyone who happens to stop by.

Here are some tips that will help you keep your wood cabinets nice and clean.

Gather Your Supplies

First, make sure you have all the supplies on hand that you need to keep your cabinets clean. This includes the following items:

• Cleaning cloths (microfiber cloths tend to work the best)
• Dish soap
• A specialty cabinet cleaner that contains orange oil

You may also want to have an all-purpose cleaner on hand, too, along with a vacuum cleaner.

Everyday Cleaning

If your cabinets are in pretty good shape and just need some basic cleaning, follow these steps:

• Add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl or bucket of warm water
• Dip the cloth in the solution, then wipe down the cabinets gently
• Be sure to clean all areas of the cabinet door, including the edges and sides

Be sure to dry the cabinet with a clean cloth when you’re finished. If you leave water on wood cabinets, they could warp or become discolored.

Heavy Duty Cleaning

If your cabinets have a heavy buildup of grease and dust on them, you’re going to need to do a more thorough cleaning job with a specialty cabinet cleaner. Follow these steps to get rid of all the buildup and leave your cabinets squeaky clean:

• Test your cabinet cleaner on a hidden spot to make sure it doesn’t cause discoloration
• If your cabinet cleaner doesn’t cause any problems, spray it onto a cleaning cloth
• Wipe down the cabinets, cleaning all areas, including the edges and sides

If there are tough spots on your cabinet that won’t come off, try spraying the solution directly onto the cabinet.

Interior Cleaning

Don’t forget to clean the interior of your cabinets, either. Empty your cabinets out completely, starting with the highest one. Remove the shelf lining if it’s torn or discolored, too.

Use your vacuum to get rid of crumbs, dust, or other residues.

Then, wipe them down with a solution of dish soap and water. Rinse them with a clean, damp cloth, then use a clean, dry cloth to soak up excess water.

Repeat the process with each cabinet.

Bonus Kitchen Cleaning Tips

Now that you know how often to clean your kitchen cabinets and how to clean them correctly, it’s important to make sure you’re keeping the other items and appliances in your kitchen clean, too.

Here are some extra tips that will help you cover all your bases:

• Wipe down your dishwasher once a week — ideally at the same time that you wipe down the cabinets
• Clean the stovetop whenever you clean
• Clean the inside of your oven once every three months
• Clean your microwave inside and out once per week
• Wipe down the microwave handle once per day
• Clean your refrigerator at least once per week, inside and out

These steps might seem like a lot initially. Once you incorporate them into your kitchen cleaning routine, though, they’ll become second-nature.

Get More Home Cleaning Advice

Clean cabinets will dramatically transform the appearance of your kitchen. Whether it’s new and modern or has a more rustic design, clean cabinets are essential.

And, now that you know how to clean wood cabinets correctly, there’s no excuse not to have sparkling cabinets (inside and out) to complement the rest of your squeaky clean kitchen.

Do you want to learn more about keeping your home fresh and clean?

If so, be sure to check out the House and Home section of our website today.

There’s a wide range of helpful articles available here, including articles on decluttering and simple DIY kitchen projects.