Dos & Don’ts of Cleaning Your Painted Kitchen Cabinets

If you have recently renovated your kitchen and chose to paint your kitchen cabinets, you are like many Americans who jumped on the home improvement bandwagon during the pandemic. While painting cabinets can have major transformative powers in a room like a kitchen, it is important to know that there is a right and a wrong way to clean painted surfaces. 

As painters that specialize in kitchen cabinet painting, we know that the look of a kitchen can be completely changed just by getting rid of a dated cabinet look. Unfortunately, too many people jump to this project and don’t realize that cabinets that have been painted need some TLC when cleaning, especially in a room like a kitchen that can see plenty of food messes and splashes on a regular basis. 

Do Wipe Down Surfaces Regularly 

As we all should know, the longer a stain or splatter has time to set in, the harder it will be to clean later. That’s why it’s super important to wipe down walls and cabinets on a regular basis. The sooner you get that pasta sauce off your cabinet door, the easier it will be to remove without a semi-permanent stain. 

Do Use Soft Cloths & Mild Soap 

Some stains warrant a little elbow grease and the help of a kitchen cleanser. However, newly painted kitchen cabinets are not the place to employ this tactic. Cabinets with paint should be cleaned gently with a soft cloth, warm water, and gentle soap. 

Do Use Baking Soda and Vinegar For Tough Messes

Before you even consider breaking out the harsh cleaners from under the sink, try using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar that can be tough on stains but gentle enough on your painted cabinets so as not to remove the finish. 

Don’t Scrub With Abrasive Scrubbers or Sponges

Over the past few years, many homeowners have embraced the “Magic Eraser” that can definitely remove stains. However, they also remove the sheen (finish) of the paint and sometimes even the paint itself if enough force is used. The same goes for sponges that have a soft side and a scrubbing side. That scratching could leave marks and remove sheen as well. 

Don’t Use Bleach or Ammonia

These harsh chemicals are great on surfaces that are not permeable but are not a good choice for painted surfaces. Using these could cause peeling or damage to the sheen and paint itself. 

Don’t Leave the Cabinets to Air Dry 

After cleaning stains or splatters, always wipe down the cabinet with a dry towel to stop moisture from seeping under the paint or into any hardware gaps. This will help keep your cabinets dry and clean! 

Categorised in: Jerry Enos, Kitchen Cabinets