Cleaning Your Newly Painted Kitchen Cabinets
November 7, 2022
At Jerry Enos Painting, we love transforming spaces inside and out using paint. One of the spaces that usually make the biggest impact is the kitchen. In fact, more and more homeowners are choosing to paint their kitchen cabinets rather than go through the hassle and cost of replacing them entirely.
Painting kitchen cabinets is a trend that does not seem to be going away any time soon. And homeworkers are getting daring, painting their cabinets bold colors such as navy, gray, and green. They are something to behold and we love every transformation.
One question that we often encounter once our part of the project is completed is how to clean the cabinets now that they are painted. Here are a few suggestions to keep your cabinets looking clean from any grease, grime, or fingerprints, while also preserving the paint.
What’s Making Your Kitchen Cabinets Dirty?
Kitchens are notoriously the most used room in a home. After all, it’s not called the heart of the home for nothing. The kitchen sees lots of foot traffic, meal prep, oven use, and stovetop cooking. All of these things mean the counters, walls, and even ceilings can see lots of food splatter, grease, grime, and messes.
Knowing what is causing stains on your walls can help with cleanup. For instance, dirt and fingerprints can be easily cleaned with non-abrasive soap and a warm, wet cloth. Grease splatters will need a bit more elbow grease and some soap that can remove grease stains such as dawn detergent.
Steam and heat can also impact the cleanliness of the cabinets. If your kitchen is overly warm after hours of cooking, steam streaks may run down your cabinets or heat may cause unnecessary warping or absorption of the moisture to the wood in the cabinets. Good ventilation and wiping down the cabinets to avoid streaks are advised.
Cleaning Cabinets
From food splatters to greasy buildup, kitchen cabinets can get pretty messy. For food splatters, try to wipe them away immediately after cooking before stains can dry and set in. Use a damp cloth to remove it.
For grease splatters, use dishwashing liquid in a sudsy lather to rub off the cabinets. Once the stains are removed, go over the cabinets again with a wet cloth that can get rid of the rest of the residue.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals. Over time, these can strip away even the most durable paint. If you find you need stronger cleaners, spray them into your cloth rather than directly on the cabinets themselves.
For heavy stains, you may find that you need to use a combination of vinegar, baking soda, and warm water stirred into a mixture. Use a soft sponge or cloth to gently rub away the stain. Some homeowners swear by using an old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies of the cabinets.
Categorised in: Interior painting, Jerry Enos, Kitchen Cabinets