Wooden cabinets are essential in every kitchen and you should keep them clean and functional. Since they’re exposed to food residue and water, the wooden finish can get damaged if you’re not careful.
If you want to know how to clean wood cabinets better, here are nine tips you can follow for long-lasting wooden cabinets.
Tip #1: The best time to clean is after cooking
If you’re not sure when to clean, don’t wait until it’s too late! After fixing a meal, do a quick cleaning right away. You’ll avoid any buildup that might make things harder for you. If you need deeper cleaning, twice a year is more than enough.
Tip #2: Sometimes warm water is enough
When your cabinets are clean, there isn’t much to wipe. However, they still need routine cleaning. Warm water and a soft cloth are all you need to clear any dirt and residue. Doing this early on will save you headaches, and you’ll maintain the wooden finish for longer.
If you find out that warm water isn’t enough, soapy water and a soft sponge will do the trick!
Tip #3: Baking soda is the ultimate cleaner
You don’t need to use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning pads to remove stubborn stains. For example, a baking soda paste is enough to remove even the worst grease buildup from your kitchen cabinets. Just mix one part water and three parts baking soda.
Tip #4: Don’t just pour vinegar!
Vinegar is an excellent cleaner, however, it shouldn’t be used the same way in every case. If you want to deep clean your wooden cabinets with vinegar, don’t pour it directly over them. Vinegar is acidic, and it could damage the finish on your cabinets.
Instead, follow these steps:
- Mix half warm water and half vinegar in a small container.
- Dip a cloth to wipe a small and hidden section of your cabinets. See how it reacts before continuing.
- If everything seems right, wipe the gunk and grime from the surfaces. Be very careful doing this, so you won’t risk damaging the wooden finish.
- Vinegar also works on hinges and knobs! Use it to clean rust or stains there.
Tip #5: Old toothbrushes are very handy
Whenever it’s time to deep clean your cabinets, there will always be tiny, hard-to-reach spots. It’s way easier and cheaper to buy a new toothbrush than a special tool, so any old brushes ready to be replaced will get the job done…and without damaging the wood!
Tip #6: Check the sides of the cabinets
When cleaning your wooden cabinets, some areas might slip unnoticed, especially the sides. To take care of unseen buildup, just make sure you clean the sides of your cabinets at least during the twice-a-year deep cleaning session.
Tip #7: Don’t use any polish
Whenever you’re done cleaning, you can always add a finishing touch. However, not all sprays and creams will do good to the wood, so make sure you don’t use petroleum-based products.
If you want a natural alternative, you can add a few drops of olive oil to a ¼ cup of vinegar. Apply the mixture with a clean cloth and buff your cabinets evenly.
Tip #8: Avoid moisture and water damage
Besides cleaning, it’s important to maintain your cabinets safe from water damage. To avoid moisture, watch out for spills when doing the dishes. Also, extreme heat combined with moisture will damage the wood, so be careful of steam sources.
Keep on learning to maintain your home spotless!
Besides the kitchen, the rest of your house also needs care. Do you want to learn other useful hacks to clean your home? At Rite Touch Maids, we have learned some effective cleaning tricks throughout all our years of experience!!
However, there’s no need to clean everything by yourself. If you need a hand with the chores, we can clean for you! Rite Touch Maids offers house cleaning services to Lawrenceville and surrounding areas. Book here now and enjoy a clean, happy home.