If you have a busy kitchen with plenty of cooks, keeping your cabinets clean could quickly become the bane of your life. Scrubbing crannies and removing grease once a month might seem like a good idea, but it’s better to keep on top of dirt accumulation more regularly.
Using non-toxic ingredients (which you may already have) can prevent light stains from becoming stubborn. So, join Rehome as we teach you how to make kitchen cabinets look new.
What you’ll need
- Vinegar (e.g., distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, scented cleaning vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Soft cloth
- Warm water
- Tablespoon
- Gloves
- Toothbrush
- Sponge
- Olive oil/coconut oil
- Baking soda
1. Warm water and vinegar
One of the best old-school cabinet cleaners is a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. Mix this natural solution into a spray bottle and disperse evenly across your cabinets. Let it sit for a few minutes before using a soft cloth to wipe away.
Vinegar is a great, non-toxic solution for banishing grime from painted and wood-finished cabinets. The acetic acid breaks down grease, which means you can remove it without the need for harsh chemicals.
For painted cabinets, it’s gentle enough to clean dirty surfaces without compromising the finish. However, homeowners who are particularly sensitive to odours may want to consider the strong initial smell of vinegar (this does dissipate after cleaning).
Plus, while vinegar is definitely effective against general grime, it may not be able to remove heavy-duty stains the same way commercial cleaners can.
2. Olive oil and vinegar
We sense a theme! Another natural liquid that can be used with vinegar is olive oil.
Homeowners can create this mixture by combining three or four tablespoons of vinegar (the amount you use will depend on the surface area) with two tablespoons of olive oil in a spray bottle. Then, add two cups of warm water and shake it! Leave it on the cabinets for a couple of minutes (2 or 3 should suffice) before wiping with a cloth.
Here, the acetic vinegar and water mixture serves the same dirt-removing purpose as our first cleanser, but the addition of olive oil should give your cabinets a natural shine! Just be sure to shake the bottle before each application for the best results.
3. Baking soda and vegetable oil
Sticking with oil, you can also combine it with baking soda for a deeper cleanse. To apply this mixture without damaging your cabinet's finish, combine one part vegetable oil with two parts baking soda to form a paste.
Wearing gloves, gently rub the paste onto the cabinet surfaces. If there are impossible nooks and crannies, don’t be afraid to use an old toothbrush to really scrub these areas.
Focus on areas with heavy build-up: don’t use it all across your cabinets to avoid damaging the finish. Wipe the stubborn spots away with a damp cloth, and watch the residue fall away!
With this method, we recommend pre-testing it on a hidden part of your cabinets. Taking this preparatory measure will make sure that your wood or painted finish is not damaged before it’s too late!
4. Baking soda and lemon
Another baking soda cleanser hack is combining it with lemon juice. This classic natural cleanser works similarly to our other entries!
To use it, mix two parts warm water with one part lemon juice and one part baking soda in a spray bottle (again, quantities can be adjusted depending on the surface you need to cover).
Once shaken, apply to surfaces and leave for 2 to 3 minutes. If necessary, you can wipe the solution away and re-apply to any stubborn spots.
Shop for ex-display kitchens with Rehome!
Learning how to make kitchen cabinets look new may be a matter of trial and error. Test each method using your kitchen cabinet ingredients, choosing a less visible area before applying liberally.
If your kitchen cabinets are past the point of no return, why not shop with Rehome?
As the UK’s largest supplier of approved used and ex-display interiors, we can replace your kitchen cabinets with heavily reduced luxury brands like Harvey Jones, Heatherington Newman and Rag n Bone Cabinet Makers!
