From accidental spills and food splatters to greasy fingerprints, kitchen cabinets quickly accumulate mess — especially if you cook every day or live with young children. There's nothing less appealing than sticky syrup on wood cabinets or tomato sauce spots on fresh white cabinets. Cleaning kitchen cabinets regularly not only maintains a beautiful kitchen design, but helps remove bacteria and viruses that can hide on the surface of your cabinets.
Luckily, cleaning kitchen cabinets isn't challenging — but it's important to use the right products to avoid damaging or removing the finish. No matter if the cabinets are glass, wood, laminate or painted, we're sharing expert advice on how to clean kitchen cabinets the right way — plus, how often you should tackle the home project. Here, Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, shares everything you need to know about cleaning kitchen cabinets, from daily maintenance to deep cleans.
How often to clean kitchen cabinets
- Daily: Wipe spills and splatters with a damp cloth as soon as possible. Cleaning as you cook will make the need for a deeper clean less frequent.
- Weekly: For a quick touch-up, wipe the outside of the cabinets once per week using a cabinet cleaner and microfiber cloth.
- One to two times per year: For a deeper clean, empty cabinets completely and clean both the inside and outside of every cabinet, paying attention to grooves and trim where grime may hide.
How to regularly clean cabinets
Whether your cabinets are finished wood, laminate or painted wood, these simple steps will keep your kitchen looking clean and bright.
- Apply a safe, but grease-cutting all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of dish soap and water to a cloth. Ensure the cloth is damp, but not overly wet.
- Wipe both sides of the cabinet door, paying special attention to knobs and drawer pulls where you'll likely find greasy fingerprints.
- For stuck-on grime (likely for cabinets above the stove), wrap a delicate scrub pad in a cloth and wipe clean.
- Use a damp cloth to rinse the cabinet doors until there's no soap or cleaner residue.
- Buff dry with a microfiber cloth. If you're using a cabinet cream for finished wood cabinets, buff afterward but also, read label directions.
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How to deep clean cabinets
You should regularly wipe cabinet doors and knobs. Don't neglect the inside of kitchen cabinets and drawers as they can accumulate crumbs, dust and stains. Once or twice a year, a deep clean is in order.
- Starting from the upper cabinets and working your way down, begin emptying each cabinet and drawer. Tip: You can go one-by-one or empty a few at a time, but avoid emptying them all at once.
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with a mild all-purpose cleaner or dish soap mixed with warm water. Wipe down the inside of the cabinet, including any shelving and the back of the cabinet door.
- Optional: If you have glass-front cabinets, wipe down glass with a microfiber cloth and a top-tested glass cleaner.
- Don't forget to clean any hardware, grooves or trim where dust and grease can build-up. If your cloth can't reach small crevices, use a small brush or toothbrush to gently scrub the area.
- Rinse and buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
What You'll Need to Clean Kitchen Cabinets
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
