How To Clean Kitchen Cupboard Doors (Make Them Look Good As New!)

When was the last time you cleaned your kitchen? Do you get a pang of shame when guests come over? You’ve come to the right place if you don’t know how to clean your kitchen cupboard doors. Unfortunately, when grease and grime build up on these units, it can make the entire room look old and tired. Luckily, there’s a simple way to solve this problem yourself.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach here. The cleaning method you use will depend on the type of kitchen units you have. That’s why it’s essential to do your research ahead of time. Using the wrong cleaner could mean that you damage your kitchen cupboards. That is the last thing that you want. This guide will go over the main methods you can use.

Why do kitchen units get so greasy?

First up, let’s talk about why kitchen units get so greasy. One of the main reasons that your kitchen cupboards get so dirty is their proximity to your appliances. For example, if your kitchen units are close to your stove, you may find that they get dirty.

That is because — when you’re cooking — the grease from your food naturally rises. As a result, you may find that the oil and grime sticks to your kitchen cupboards. If you don’t try to clean this up immediately, the grease can stick and be harder to clean.

If you’ve ignored this problem in the past, you’re not alone. Many of us don’t have the time or energy to clean our kitchen cupboards regularly. However, the sooner you get into this habit, the better it will be for your kitchen units. You will find that cleaning cupboards take much less time when you do it regularly. So, by adding it to your existing cleaning regime, you can change how you deal with it. It doesn’t have to be a big mystery at all. You can learn how to get this right in a few minutes. Within this guide, we will take a deep look at how to clean sticky grease off kitchen cabinets.

Tips on cleaning laminate kitchen cupboard doors

Laminate cabinets are the easiest to clean. You don’t need to have any expertise to get this right. Anyone can quickly tidy up these kitchen units in a few simple steps. Set aside 10 minutes of your time and get started. Here’s what you need to know to get it right.

1. Dust your kitchen units first

First up, you need to dust your laminate cabinets. You can use a clean cloth to get this done. The general idea is to get rid of any dust or grime on the exterior before you start using water. That way, you will find that the dirt doesn’t settle or stick to the units.

2. Use some washing-up liquid

Next up, you must use washing-up liquid on the laminate doors. You can make a solution from some hot water and any cleaning soap. Grab a clean cloth and dip it in the solution. You should first aim to deal with any significant stains — focusing your energy on them — and then clean the entire cupboard doors.

3. Rinse and dry the kitchen units

The final top here is to rinse the kitchen units. You can use some cool, clean water to get the job done. Grab a sponge and get to work. When you have got rid of all of the soapy water, you can dry the laminate kitchen cupboards using some kitchen paper.

How to clean white kitchen cupboard doors

White kitchen cupboard doors can be particularly tough to clean. We have found that using a specific cleaning agent such as The Pink Stuff will make these look brand new. Since this product includes natural ingredients like baking soda, quartz, sodium silicate, and soap, it can easily make white items look clean. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Use a mix of The Pink Stuff and water

In a bucket, mix The Pink Stuff and some lukewarm water. When you have done that, you can use a sponge to clean your white cupboard doors. Make sure that you focus your energy on stains and greasy patches. You can refresh the solution and repeat too.

2. Use a lemon-based cleaning solution

The citric acid in lemon juice also makes an excellent cleaner. If you are having trouble getting your white kitchen cupboards to look clean, you can try this trick: mix lemon juice, baking soda, and warm water in a bucket. When you have done that, you can use the solution directly on any stains. However, avoid leaving the solution on for too long. You may find that the acidic nature of the solution damages the material if you leave it too long.

How to clean wood kitchen cupboard doors

When cleaning wooden kitchen cupboard doors, you should use a gentle approach. Unfortunately, one of the biggest mistakes you can make here is using vinegar or lemon juice.

As we have already mentioned, these are acidic. If the wood on your cupboard doors is untreated, you will find it’s porous. That’s bad news for you! When you use acidic-based cleaning solutions, you could find that they damage the material. Do this instead:

1. Use a gentle cleaning approach

For the best results, you should use a gentle cleaning approach. That means using the washing-up liquid and water solution. You can use a cloth to clean your wooden kitchen units as thoroughly as possible. Don’t allow the water to sit for too long when you do this.

2. Dry the wooden cabinets quickly!

When you use the above method, it’s essential to dry the kitchen units as soon as possible. If you have used a lot of water in the process, you may find that it seeps into the pores of the untreated wood. That may make your wood expand and damage the cupboard doors. Instead, you should act fast and use a clean cloth to dry the doors.

What are you waiting for? Now that you know how to clean kitchen cupboard doors, there’s no time like the present. This household chore will take you no longer than an hour. You can quite literally do it on your next lunch break. Whether it’s been six months or six years since you last gave your cabinets a clean, it’s time to get started. Use our expert-backed advice above and get moving. Chances are, the results will surprise you!

Q&A

Do you have a burning question? Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Let’s look at some of the answers to the frequently asked questions about cupboard doors.

How do you get sticky grease off kitchen cabinets?

It’s easier than you think! You can use a mixture of lemon juice, baking soda, and warm water to get the job done. First, mix all of the above in even parts in a bucket. Next, get yourself a squidgy cloth and get to work. While you may need to use a little elbow grease, you should find that the above cleaning solution helps you remove that tough stickiness.

What is the best cabinet cleaner?

While there’s a whole load of commercial cleaners, we have found that The Pink Stuff works exceptionally well. Mix this cleaning agent with warm water to make your kitchen cupboards sparkle again. Simply apply the solution, allow it to sit for around 10 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Of course, you can also repeat if needed here.

Does vinegar harm wood cabinets?

The short answer is yes! Vinegar is acidic and can cause corrosion to materials, such as wood. For that reason, if your wooden kitchen cabinets are untreated, you should ultimately avoid using vinegar-based cleaning solutions. However, if you have varnished cupboards, you may be able to use a diluted vinegar mixture on your kitchen units.

How do you make wooden cabinets look new?

You don’t have to be Mrs Hinch to get this right. To make your kitchen cabinets look new, you should look at the advice we have outlined here. In most cases, you will find that a mild cleaning agent, some hot water, and a cloth does the trick. On average, you should aim to clean your kitchen units once every six months. By taking this approach, you can avoid that horrible grease build-up, which is often hard to shift with cleaning products.

Can you refresh the cabinet doors?

If your kitchen units make your home look dated, it’s time to do something about it. There are a few ways that you can refresh your cabinet doors. For example, you might want to replace the exterior of the doors completely. You can enlist the help of a trained carpenter to get this job done. Alternatively, you can wash the cupboards and then repaint and varnish them. While this is a big DIY job, it will entirely change the room’s look.

When was the last time you cleaned your kitchen cupboards? Let us know in the comments below!