How to Keep Your Kitchen Cabinets Looking Their Best

You’ve just had guests over for some company and used your kitchen to prepare a meal. Now the day is over and it’s time to tidy up. You clear your countertops, wipe down the cabinets and straighten up the rest of your kitchen. However, the cabinets still don’t look quite as clean as they should be.

You think it’s dust or dirt, but in a busy kitchen, everyday cooking, fingerprints, oils and moisture can gradually change the appearance of your cabinets. Fingerprints are often most noticeable around handles and other high use areas, while grease and cooking residue can leave a layer overtime, making your cabinets look dull.

It’s not always about constant cleaning

More cleaning isn’t necessarily the answer to keeping your cabinets looking their best. Sometimes, using the wrong products or cleaning too aggressively can make the problem worse.

When cleaning your cabinets, using abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals or excessive moisture can often further damage the finish of your cabinets. Even repeatedly rubbing the same area can affect its appearance, potentially causing scratches or a shinier surface over time.

Your goal shouldn’t be to scrub the cabinets until they’re shining rather, you should be gently cleaning the surfaces while using recommended products from your cabinet supplier.

Pay attention to high touch areas

Cabinet surfaces that tend to show the most wear include areas that you interact with every day. This includes handles, drawer fronts or pull-out waste bins. If you have touch latch hardware or lighting controlled by a touch switch, these surfaces can also wear down more often than others, gradually leaving behind any natural oils from hands or grease caused from hand lotions and cooking.

Cleaning your cabinets isn’t always about keeping them spotless every day. It’s about preventing small amounts of grease, moisture and residue from building up overtime. With the right maintenance and care, your cabinets can continue to look their best for years to come, without making cleaning your kitchen another full-time job.

For additional recommendations on cleaning products, techniques and what products to avoid, see our Cabinet Care guide