How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets to Remove Tough Messes

By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 10/19/22
Fact checked by
Emily Estep
Emily Estep
Fact checked by Emily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
woman putting jars into cabinets

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 2 - 4 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner

You probably wipe down your kitchen counters and mop your kitchen floor every day, or at least regularly. Your kitchen cabinets, on the other hand, may not get the same attention—but they should. All day they collect dirt, dust, splatters, grease, and other cooking residues; over time this mixture sticks to cabinet surfaces like a tacky glue that can be difficult to remove. Besides becoming an eyesore, unclean kitchen cabinets could pose a health risk. Bacteria like Salmonella can easily contaminate cabinet handles and knobs. Grime and old food particles have no business building up inside the place where we store the items we put our food on. Your kitchen cabinets need simple, regular maintenance.

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Click Play to Learn How to Deep Clean Kitchen Cabinets

How Often to Clean Kitchen Cabinets

Ideally, you should wipe down the exterior of your cabinets every week, or at least every other week. But every few months, the interior of your cabinets needs a deep-clean. The idea of emptying out your entire kitchen may sound overwhelming, but if you approach the task one cabinet at a time it'll be easier. For example, if all your plates are in the dishwasher at a given moment, you can use that opportunity to clean the spot they usually sit in. Keep a list of what you’ve cleaned as you go, and make sure you cover the spots where your plates, bowls, and drinking glasses sit.

how to clean kitchen cabinets
The Spruce
supplies for cleaning cabinets
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Cleaning cloths
  • Old toothbrush
  • Vacuum (optional)

Materials

  • Dish soap
  • Vinegar/warm water solution
  • Specialty cabinet cleaner or cleaner with orange oil
  • All-purpose cleaner (optional)
  • Baking soda (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

    Most cabinet types, including metal, plastic laminate, painted wood, and vinyl cabinets, can be cleaned with a solution of liquid dish soap and warm water. This simple and mild solution is enough to get food smudges, dust, and mild grease build-up off of your cabinets. Dish soap works as a degreaser and can even remove some tough buildup on the exterior.

    An all-purpose cleaner can be used to clean cabinets too, but it's important to test cleaners in a hidden spot to make sure that they won't damage your cabinet's finish. Be sure to read the instructions before using, and test first in a hidden spot.

    woman dipping rag into soapy water
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu 

  2. Work From the Top Down

    Begin at the top and work your way down each cabinet. For tough cabinets that are empty, you can spray directly onto the surface; otherwise, spray onto a cleaning cloth and then wipe the cabinets down. Don't forget the edges and sides of your cabinets.

    woman beginning at the top of her cabinets
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  3. Wipe Off the Cleaner

    Rinse thoroughly with another clean cloth, before drying with a final cloth. Water left sitting on your cabinets can discolor and damage them.

    woman drying off cabinets with a dry rag
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  4. Clean Glass or Mirror Features

    Spray commercial glass cleaner onto a lint-free cloth or paper towel before wiping onto the glass or mirror insets of cabinets. Never spray the glass directly because the cleaner can seep into woodwork or other parts of the cabinet and cause discoloration.

    woman spraying cleaner onto a cloth
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu 

  5. Wipe Handles, Knobs, and Pulls

    For metal hardware on wood cabinets, dip a toothbrush in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and scrub the hardware, the surrounding wood, and the crevices of ornate trim. If possible, remove the hardware from the cabinets and drawers before cleaning.

    woman using a toothbrush to scrub hardware
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  6. Remove Thick Grease Buildup

    Sometimes the buildup of grease—an orange or yellowish sticky substance—on your kitchen cabinets is so thick that it can be seen but not easily removed. An orange oil cleaner can help, especially if it is allowed to sit and penetrate the grease for two to four minutes. This may need to be repeated a few times.

    You can also gently scrub the area with a paste of baking soda and water and a soft-bristled brush. Depending on the finish of your cabinets, a magic eraser might be a good option. Since magic erasers can scrub away the finish of surfaces, test it on a hidden spot on your cabinets first. Avoid trying to scrape away the grease since this increases the chance that you will damage the cabinets' finish.

    using baking soda to clean grease off cabinets
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  7. Empty Each Cabinet

    Beginning with the highest cabinet, empty contents and remove any torn or discolored shelf lining if necessary. If the interior cabinets have a lot of crumbs and residue, it may be a good idea to vacuum the cabinets out after they've been emptied, before wiping them down.

    woman emptying out cabinets
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  8. Wash the Interiors

    Wash the interior of the cabinets with warm water and a mild detergent.

    woman wiping down cabinet interior
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  9. Rinse With a Damp Cloth

    Rinse with another clean damp cloth. Wipe dry with an additional cloth to make sure no standing water is left to damage the cabinet surfaces.

    woman wiping down interior of the cabinets
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  10. Clean Cabinet Contents

    Wipe down dusty cans and containers with warm water and dish soap on a dampened cloth. Throw out any items that have expired. Dry items thoroughly before replacing them in the cabinets. Leave the cabinets open for one to two hours to fully dry before replacing the contents of the cabinet.

    woman wiping outside of jars
    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu 

Tips for Keeping Kitchen Cabinets Clean Longer

  • Dust your cabinets at least once every two weeks with a soft cloth, rag, or standard duster. This should cut down on the need for a deeper cleaning.
  • Clean up spills as soon as they happen with a damp cloth or sponge. The longer a substance hangs around on your cabinets, the greater the likelihood it will cause stains that are difficult to remove or other damage.
  • Cabinets installed near a self-cleaning oven are prone to damage from the intense heat that can escape from a faulty heat gasket seal. To avoid this, remove the doors (if possible) and drawers from all cabinets above or adjacent to the oven during a cleaning cycle.
  • Keep heat-producing appliances—such as coffee makers and toasters—away from cabinets; excess heat and moisture can damage cabinet surfaces.
woman drying off cabinets
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
FAQ
  • What is the best way to clean greasy wood kitchen cabinets?

    Scrubbing with a solution of water and grease-cutting dish soap is usually sufficient to clean greasy wood kitchen cabinets. You also can use an all-purpose cleaner if it says it's safe for wood or a baking soda paste.

  • Why are my kitchen cabinets sticky after cleaning?

    It's possible you didn't rinse thoroughly enough if your cabinets are still sticky after cleaning. Another possibility is the cleaner didn't get all the grease and grime, in which case you must repeat your cleaning process.

  • Does vinegar harm wood cabinets?

    Cleaning wood cabinets with vinegar can strip the finish due to its acidic properties. You can use a vinegar solution on metal hardware, but it's best to keep it off a wood cabinet's surface.