What is the best way to clean painted wood kitchen cabinets? This can be a tricky question, because cleaning your kitchen cabinets is not like cleaning any other surface in your Lombard home.
After you work with a professional kitchen cabinet painting company in Lombard, Illinois, you’ll want to preserve their new look by avoiding harsh cleaning chemicals that can strip the finish away and leave them looking worn out.
If you take proper care of your freshly painted cabinets, they should last through years of regular use with just a little maintenance along the way. Here are six tips on how to clean painted wood kitchen cabinets without damaging their finish or making them look dull again:
1. Use a gentle cleaning solution.
For safe, long-lasting results, clean your wood cabinets with pH-neutral (or close) solutions. Products with ammonia or vinegar can cause damage to certain finishes, which is why most kitchen cabinet painting companies in Lombard, Illinois advise against using them. Non-abrasive cleaners will take more time, but it will result in less wear and tear on your cabinets. They will not discolor surfaces or leave streaks behind.
2. Avoid soaking your cabinets.
Most wood cabinets today have veneer or plywood on top of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) which can be ruined by too much moisture. If your cabinet doors look dirty, wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth or soft rag — try something as simple as Murphy’s Oil Soap. That way, you can clean everything without damaging any surfaces.
3. Tackle tight spots with an old toothbrush.
Some kitchen cabinets have deep grooves or ornate trim, making it tough to access every nook and cranny with a microfiber cloth or soft rag. Old toothbrushes or small brushes that can reach those hard-to-reach corners can make all the difference in cleaning your wood cabinet surfaces.
4. Don’t let the water run into the hinges.
Though your cleaning solution is safe on painted wood surfaces, it can leave you with rusted hardware (such as hinges or knobs). Instead, your kitchen cabinet painting company in Lombard, Illinois will recommend using a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime from the metal hardware. If there is a particularly greasy or grimy spot, spray a little cleaning solution onto your cloth, scrub the spot, and then wipe the metal dry.
5. Remove the cleaner with a final rinse.
Make sure to complete an extra rinse after cleaning to remove any soapy residue.
6. Keep up with periodic deep cleaning.
If you want your kitchen cabinets to look their best for years, periodic deep cleaning is necessary (we recommend at least twice a year). If you skip out on periodic deep cleaning, your wood cabinets can eventually become grimy, damaged, and unsightly.
Final Thoughts
After having your wood cabinets painted by a professional kitchen cabinet painting company in G Lombard, Illinois, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect your investment. This includes wiping your wood cabinets down with a gentle cleaner, cleaning any dirt or dust accumulated on them, then letting them dry. You may have to repeat these steps several times to get your wood cabinets clean. And do not forget to seal your wood cabinets afterward. Just follow these simple steps, and you will be able to say goodbye to tacky, dirty wood cabinets for good.
Looking for a Kitchen Cabinet Painting Company in Lombard, Illinois?
Do you have wood cabinets in your kitchen that are due for an update? If so, and if you’re interested in having them painted by the top-rated kitchen cabinet painting company in Lombard, Illinois, look no further than the experts at Prime Time Painting. Whether you simply want to paint your existing cabinets or repaint the entire space, we can help bring your vision to life. Contact us today to request a free estimate.
