4 Best Options for Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
By Natalie MorrisRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
You know you've been putting it off far too long. You look at it every day but you don't even see it. You have every good intention of getting it done, but somehow it falls to the bottom of the priority list, somewhere between rotating your mattress and finally going in for that root canal. But it's time.
Time to clean your kitchen cabinets. Ugh.
Of course, you regularly mop up any splashes and splatters caused by cooking or the occasional spill. But taking the time to scrub your cabinets top-to-bottom, inside and out, does not happen every day. If it does, you might want to find another way to relax. Cleaning kitchen cabinets, as noble a task as it is, should not be anyone's hobby.
So, time to get down and dirty. Here are four great ways to thoroughly clean those kitchen cabinets and make every minute count.
1. Natural Cleaners. Before you try anything else, why not try cleaning with natural ingredients? Often, products like white vinegar, baking soda, club soda, and lemon juice can clean your cabinets perfectly and won't leave behind unnecessary chemicals in the process.
2. All-Purpose Cleaners. Prefer to use a simple all-purpose cleaner for cleaning kitchen cabinets? Make sure whatever you use includes alkaline, an ingredient that should be able to cut through that layer of grease you've been ignoring. Another highly alkaline alternative lies in a solution of household borax and water. You can find any of these products at your local grocery store.
3. Oil Soap. If your kitchen includes wood cabinets and the dirty build-up has gotten out-of-control, start out by scrubbing particularly greasy areas with a simple hand dishwashing liquid. Focus your energy on commonly touched or splattered areas such as door handles. Once you've rinsed and dried the cabinets completely, wash them with a solution of warm water and oil soap. Wipe each cabinet with the grain and then dry with a towel.
4. TSP. Natural cleaners, all-purpose products, or oil soap should remove even oily grime with a little elbow grease. But if that doesn't do the trick you might think about using trisodium phosphate (TSP), an all-purpose cleaner used by painters to clean surfaces before painting them. TSP is heavy-duty stuff, so only use it if you really need to and then make sure to wear gloves and protective eye-wear. You can find this product at hardware and paint supply stores.
Then, congratulate yourself on a job well done and enjoy those "new" kitchen cabinets.
About The Author
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer who loves to learn and ask questions. Her favorite home improvement activities include gardening, organizing, and painting large expanses of wall while her husband does the trim work. Natalie holds a bachelor's degr
