There are a few well-known enemies of a clean kitchen that many homeowners are regularly looking to prevent, and one of the most common examples here is grease. A common question from those dealing with grease is how to clean greasy kitchen cabinets, which are often some of the most notable areas impacted by grease build ups if they aren’t handled promptly.
At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re here to not only offer a huge selection of wall cabinets, base cabinets, utility cabinets and other kitchen cabinet options to clients around Salt Lake City, but also to provide basic expertise on the care and upkeep of any of our products. In this two-part blog series, we’ll discuss how to go about cleaning grease from your kitchen cabinets – today’s part one will focus on cleaning equipment and product selection depending on the type of cabinets your home has, while part two will go over the basic cleaning steps to follow.
How Kitchen Cabinets Vary
Before we get into some specific cleaning tips, it’s important to understand that kitchen cabinets can vary in several different ways. The most notable of these are material and finish types – some cabinets may be made from wood or laminate materials, for instance, while others have various finishes applied to them.
Each cabinet will require slightly different cleaning methods and products depending on factors like these. With this in mind, here are some general tips to keep in mind when selecting cleaning equipment for your cabinets, across our next few sections.
Painted Cabinets
If you’re dealing with painted kitchen cabinets, the best cleaning option is typically a mild soap solution. Use warm water and gentle soap to create suds, then dip a cloth into this mixture and gently wipe down all cabinet surfaces. You can also try using an all-purpose cleaner if desired, but make sure it’s safe for your specific cabinet material.
If you do use a spray-on cleaner, be sure not to spray it directly onto the painted cabinet surface – this may cause it to become dull or crack over time. Instead, spray the cleaner onto a cloth or sponge and then apply it gently.
Laminate Cabinets
For laminate cabinets, we recommend taking a more gentle approach than you might with other materials. Using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners can damage the laminate finish, leading to dulling or scratches that ruin its aesthetic appeal.
Instead, use a mild soap and water solution or an all-purpose cleaner that’s safe for laminate surfaces. Be sure to test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire cabinet surface.
Glass-Front Cabinets
Typically mounted onto painted wood or laminate, glass-front cabinets require extra care when cleaning. Be sure to use a gentle cleaner or soap solution, and avoid harsh chemicals that may damage the glass.
When cleaning, be mindful of any decorative elements attached to the glass – these should be cleaned separately with a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid getting water or cleaner on any exposed wood areas if possible.
In part two of our series, we’ll go over the basic cleaning steps to follow for any of these cabinet types. For more on cleaning grease from kitchen cabinets, or to learn about any of our kitchen cabinet options, speak to the staff at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.