The inside of your cabinets is probably not something you think about regularly, but they can be easy to forget. This is especially true when it comes time to clean the kitchen, and you find out that there’s a layer of dust and grime hiding in the corners!
The good news is that cleaning them doesn’t have to be complicated or take up too much time. In this blog post, we will tell you how to remove all of the dirt from inside your cabinets for a fresh start next year!
Why is it important to clean the inside cabinets?
The inside cabinets are the ones behind doors. They’re not exactly hidden, but they’re always neglected when it comes to cleaning time because, let’s face it, who wants to open all those cabinets and get hit with that smell?
Not only do you need a good cleaner for this job, but also patience to finish what you start without losing your appetite or feeling nauseous at some point. But if done correctly, inside cabinet clean-up is definitely worth the effort. It is essential to clean the cabinets because dust, dirt, and debris are usually found inside. So if your cabinet doors don’t close properly, that’s a good reason to clean the insides.
The frequency of cleaning inside kitchen cabinets will depend on how often you use them. If used daily, the shelves should be wiped down at least once a week to prevent spills from accumulating and making a mess within your cabinet.
In addition, removing food particles that have fallen between the cracks is crucial for preventing insect infestations or mold growth, leading to other problems such as illness due to bacteria exposure and structural damage.
Even if you don’t cook every day, it’s still necessary to clean out the interior of your cupboards because, over time, dust accumulates and attracts insects like ants or roaches (if there isn’t an active bug issue).
How Do You Refresh the Inside of Kitchen Cabinets?
The process to refresh the look of your kitchen cabinets is similar to restoring the outside of them. However, you will need a different set of tools and products to complete this task successfully. Here’s a list of things to refresh the inside of your kitchen cabinets:
A soft cloth or sponge:
Make sure to use a new one for this project because you don’t want your cabinet looking dirtier than it already does. The last thing you need is a filthy rag that spreads the germs around and makes everything worse! If possible, avoid scrubbing at all costs, as this will scratch up your cabinets even more and create an uneven surface that attracts dust faster.
When cleaning with water-based solutions, always apply in a small circular motion so they can get into every corner of the cabinet without much effort on your part. In areas where there are lots of cracks, crevices, or nooks, try using cotton swabs dipped in the solution to prevent further damage from occurring while also removing dirt and grime.
A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment:
To suck up the dust accumulated between the cracks and crevices discussed earlier, you can also use this tool for cleaning cobwebs if you have any lingering around your cabinets and other areas where it’s difficult to reach, such as corners, shelves, or even small spaces under furniture like couches or beds.
For more challenging jobs that require more scrubbing, try using an old toothbrush by dipping into a solution, then go after every nook and cranny until you see results!
A white vinegar:
White vinegar because it is cheap, non-toxic (for most people), and highly effective at breaking down grease and gunk buildups, especially in areas where you use a lot of oil such as the kitchen or near cooking appliances. You can combine this solution with baking soda to make it even more effective but be sure not to overdo it because too much vinegar will kill plants and grass if spilled on them accidentally!
A bleach:
This is great for removing stains, moldy grime buildup, and other tough jobs that require special attention. Although bleach isn’t nontoxic (not everyone agrees), it does break down into saltwater after being used, so unless your cabinets are in direct contact with food, try using this chemical sparingly around other surfaces like flooring countertops, etc.
Always follow proper safety precautions when working with chemicals, including ventilation systems turned on while cleaning indoors, plus rubber gloves and a mask to avoid breathing in any harmful gases or chemicals.
A water-based solution:
With antibacterial properties such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and other similar ingredients, which are known for their mold-killing capabilities as well as being antibacterial so you don’t have to worry about those microscopic germs lurking around your cabinets during everyday use!
These solutions cost more than vinegar, but they work better on more challenging jobs because the essential oils penetrate cracks and crevices easier without scrubbing (very important if you want to preserve wood) so make sure not to waste them by using too much of this chemical at once! Plus, they smell great, unlike some harsh vinyl cleaners we know.
A nontoxic vinyl cleaner:
A good option for wood cabinets because it doesn’t contain chlorine or hydrocarbons, both of which can damage the finish over time if used regularly. This solution also leaves behind a nice sheen to make your cabinet look clean and shiny without having to worry about exposing yourself, family members, or pets to harsh chemicals!
To conclude our list, we have an all-in-one product with many uses, including mold-killing capabilities plus antibacterial properties, so you don’t need anything else except this liquid spray to get rid of any dirt buildup around the house.
Remember not to use too much at once as these cleaners are highly concentrated and potent when mixed with water!
Lastly, be sure to let your cabinets dry for at least 20 minutes before putting anything back into them! If you’re using a vinyl cleaner, follow the label’s instructions and always use gloves when cleaning with chemicals.
Make sure not to overdo it because too much of these products can damage surfaces like wood floors or countertops if spilled onto them during regular activities such as cooking dinner! In case of emergencies, make sure to put down some newspaper first to prevent damage from spilling liquids onto other surfaces that harsh chemical cleaners may harm.
Solutions for Cabinet Problems
When people think about cleaning cabinets, they often assume it involves a lot of scrubbing and elbow grease. However, there are many simple ways to get the job done with less effort! The best method for cleaning inside cabinets depends on your specific situation, so we’ve put together this list to help you tackle every cabinet problem that may come up over time. Let us begin by discussing some possible solutions:
Get rid of excess grease.
If left untreated, grease stains build up over time because food particles sit against cabinet surfaces while cooking bacon or sausage. You want to avoid using abrasive cleaners as they can damage the cabinet’s finish. Instead, use a paste made from baking soda and vinegar to lift away grease stains easily!
Get rid of sticky gunk.
The problem is that once grime finds its way onto cabinets, it never comes off ultimately. If you want to avoid spending hours scrubbing at the gunk with a toothbrush, use this simple solution instead: add some water and dish soap into a spray bottle before spritzing on surfaces that are covered in grime. Let them soak for ten minutes before wiping everything down quickly!
Get rid of old stains.
Old stains are the worst! If there is a stain on your cabinet interior, it can be hard to remove because, over time, grime builds up and makes things harder for cleaners. The first step is always vinegar since it does wonders removing stubborn dirt or grease that other products leave behind after use!
Once again, though, baking soda comes in handy as well because its abrasiveness helps scrub away any residue left by spills or leftover food particles before the end of cooking sessions.
Clean inside the cabinet doors.
The best way to avoid having this problem is by cleaning up spills immediately! If that’s not possible, try removing any gunk with an old toothbrush, which will allow you to get rid of grime in small crevices or corners around knobs and handles.
If stubborn food particles are still stuck on after your initial attempt at wiping them away, make a paste out of the water and baking soda before scrubbing everything off again until it comes loose naturally!
The exterior of cabinets.
This part is easy because you have to clean them like standard surfaces, including counters, sinks, faucets, etc. For example, use dish soap mixed with warm water for kitchen surface exteriors, using microfiber cloths instead of sponges to prevent scratching.
Keep it clean by deep cleaning sessions.
The easiest way would be by having a placemat or an area rug since they are designed specifically for protecting floors from stains and dirt buildup!
You should also place shelf liners to avoid getting stains in your cabinets. Get one that’s durable enough, so spills don’t soak through quickly, too, which will allow you to clean up spills as soon as they happen!
Not at all because using harsher chemicals may cause damage, especially when dealing with electrical parts. For example, baking soda helps remove crusted food particles which are great for scrubbing away burnt areas. At the same time, vinegar disses any greasy residue left behind to get rid of strong odors.
As a site note, here is the shelf liner we recommend to avoid stains from occurring frequently.
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