How to Properly Clean Painted Cabinets
You just renovated and painted your wood cabinets, now how do you maintain them and keep them looking like-new and in pristine condition? Painted wood cabinets face a lot of challenges in kitchens and bathrooms because they are susceptible to a variety of different messes, including fingerprints, oil splashes, dirt, grease, and bacteria. Depending on the type of paint used and the amount of traffic in said room, you may have to wipe down your cabinets as much as once a day to extend the longevity of the paint life.
Your Guide to Clean Cabinets
Painted cabinets come in all different wood surfaces and treatments. You may want to pay close attention to the seal of your paint for guidance on how to properly clean it, but there are general solutions that can be applied to most painted wood cabinets!
It’s important to keep cabinets as dry as possible at all times, as they may trap in condensation and heat from the air, such as from hot showers or many dishwasher cycles. Remember to be gentle while cleaning your cabinets, as using abrasive cleaning agents and scrubbers is a good way to strip your paint and damage the surface!
Cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom areas are generally painted with more durable paints such as high-gloss and semi-gloss so that they are easier to wipe clean, unlike matte surfaces that scuff more easily. These cabinet surfaces can accumulate a lot of dust, dirt, and grime, and it is important to keep them clean and disinfected—especially if you are cooking with items that carry food-borne bacteria!
When cleaning your cabinets, it is important to keep them fairly dry. Use a soft washcloth and non-abrasive chemicals in order to keep them looking their absolute best. The following are steps to take to get better looking painted cabinets:
- Step One: Prepare your cleaning agent of choice. No matter the surface, it is easiest to always use a good dish soap and water to dilute it for your cleanser. All-purpose cleaner, wood cleaner, and white vinegar are also suitable alternatives. But if you’re not sure and you want to be safe, it is best to stick to good old soap and water!
- Step Two: Using a microfiber cloth or a washcloth, dip it into your solution of choice and gently scrub your cabinets to rid them free of dirt, food, and drips and repeat until all grime is gone. Be mindful not to get them too wet because that can damage the paint over time.
- Step Three: Grab a another clean cloth, and get it wet with regular, non-soapy water. This cloth should be damp and not soaking because it is going to be used to wipe the surface clean from the soap. Repeat this step until all the soap residue is gone.
- Step Four: Now take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe down your cabinet so that you rid it of all water and moisture. This keeps the quality of the paint for longer and avoids bubbles, cracks, or any other damage later on.
Keeping Your Cabinets Fresh
Making sure your cabinets are clean and free from debris is important to keeping the paint in great condition so that it lasts you till you’re ready to change it again. This can also prevent any cross contamination or germs that may be on their surfaces, especially in the kitchen. If you clean your bathroom and kitchen cabinets at least once a week, you’ll be on your way to admiring your freshly painted cabinets for a long time! If you are thinking about changing the color of your cabinets in your home, then call the painting professionals at Mike’s Quality Painting in Albuquerque today for a free quote! (505) 508-5342