Everyone loves the sight of an all-white kitchen because it looks classy, sophisticated, and luxe, but what happens after a few years of installing white kitchen cabinets?
While no one would want their kitchen’s refined elegance to fade away, its likelihood cannot be ignored. Daily encounters with cooking splatters, regular wear and tear, fingerprints, dust, grease, etc., can affect the appearance of your white cabinets, making your entire kitchen look unpleasant and dirty.
However, the best part is that you can keep your white cabinets as good as new for decades by following simple cleaning hacks.
How to Keep White Kitchen Cabinets Spotless?
If you have white cabinets installed in your kitchen or are planning to get them installed for timeless elegance, you can follow one or more cleaning tips discussed below.
Regular Cleaning
Since white cabinets are hard to maintain, you must clean them regularly using a soft cloth and mild cleaning solution. A gentle, damp cloth can also help you to keep the cabinets clean. While it may appear like a tedious and time-consuming task, regular cleaning will only take a few minutes of your time.
Regardless of the wood your cabinets are made of, avoid using harsh chemicals for daily cleaning purposes to prevent damage to surface finishing.
Gentle Handling
An easy tip to maintain white kitchen cabinets is handling them with care. The cabinet’s light shade can make even the smallest scratch and scuff visible, affecting the cabinetry’s overall appearance. So, avoid dragging or sliding heavy items across the surface, and use protective pads or coasters while placing objects on the countertops, shelves, etc.
Being mindful while closing the cabinet doors and drawers to prevent slamming can also help keep the cabinets in their original shape.
Proper Drying
If you use a damp cloth to wipe the cabinets regularly, ensure you give enough time for the surface to dry naturally. One of the best ways is to leave the cabinet for half an hour after cleaning so the moisture doesn’t accumulate on the cabinet’s wooden surface, affecting its structural integrity. If you don’t give enough time for drying, cabinets may start showing signs of water stains, warping, and even mold growth.
Anyone who wants to retain their white cabinet’s aesthetics must pay special attention to the cabinet’s joints and crevices where water can accumulate while cleaning.
Frequent Touch-ups and Refinishing
White kitchen cabinets may develop slight imperfections over the years due to regular wear and tear. Hence, homeowners must pay attention to the cabinet’s overall appearance to identify any imperfection signs and get it fixed instantly.
If you’re keeping your cabinets in good condition, you may only require small touch-up paint or wood filler work to give your cabinets an instant upgrade. If the damage is significant, investing in professional refinishing services every few years can keep your cabinets as good as new.
Sunlight Protection
A less talked-about tip to maintaining white cabinets is keeping them away from prolonged sunlight exposure. While natural light adds vibrancy, freshness, and liveliness to kitchens, excessive exposure to it can cause discoloration and fading of white finishing on your cabinets. If your kitchen receives plenty of sunlight and your cabinets are directly exposed to it, consider investing in window treatments.
You can also install UV-resistant films on your windows to protect your white cabinets from harmful ultraviolet rays. Another option is to periodically rearrange items on shelves to prevent uneven exposure.
Preventive Measures
Instead of installing sliding white cabinets that require direct touch with the cabinet’s surface, invest in designs featuring hardware like knobs and handles. It will minimize direct contact with the cabinet’s finish, so you don’t accidentally transfer cooking oil stains or grease onto the cabinet.
If your existing white cabinets don’t have knobs and handles, you can get them added by a professional. This simple tip can prevent discoloration on your white cabinets and help you preserve its white, clean look.
Apply Protective Sealants
Busy homeowners usually prefer this idea as it saves time and minimizes effort while keeping their white kitchen cabinets looking as good as new for an extended period.
You can apply a quality sealant or wax on your white cabinets as it creates a protective barrier on your cabinet’s surface. This barrier makes it easier to wipe away any spills or splatters without affecting the surface and finishing. If you choose this method, ensure you reapply quality sealants to maintain long-lasting protection and a glossy finish.
Leverage Your Kitchen’s Exhaust Fan
The best way to keep your white cabinets looking as good as new is by keeping them away from smoke and grease that arise during high-heat activities like deep frying. Whenever you cook, always turn on your kitchen’s exhaust fan. This simple tip can prevent grease, smoke, etc., from reaching your cabinet, preventing any greasy buildup on your cabinet over time.
You can also use splatter guards while cooking food, which often creates a mess. Such proactive approaches can avoid stubborn stain buildup, making your cabinet cleaning routine a breeze.
Retaining White Kitchen Cabinet’s Timeless Allure with Simple Maintenance Tips
White kitchen cabinets are a delight to have, especially if you prefer classic and elegant aesthetics over vibrant and loud ones. However, retaining the same appearance can be a monumental challenge for most homeowners. These cabinets require regular cleaning and attention, but the environment they create is worth the effort.
If you have white cabinets or plan to install them in the coming months, follow the cleaning tips and hacks shared in this article for high-quality maintenance.
