Your kitchen cabinets may be one of the most important assets in your home, and they’re also one of the hardest to keep clean and looking their best. But by following these simple 10 ways to make your kitchen cabinets shine again, you can clean up and reorganize your kitchen storage in no time at all!
Deep Clean
If you really want your kitchen cabinets to shine again, give them a deep clean. Scrubbing is vital for removing grease and grime that can prevent your cabinets from shining like new. Using an all-purpose cleaner is not enough; you’ll need to scrub with a sponge, kitchen brush, or old toothbrush (or whatever works best). When you’re finished, make sure to wipe everything down with a damp cloth or paper towel. This will help ensure that no streaks remain on your cabinets after they dry.
Remove Stains
The easiest way to remove stains is to use a paste made of water and baking soda. Apply directly onto the stain, let sit for 30 minutes, then scrub it out with an old toothbrush or sponge. Once it’s gone, shine up your cabinets with lemon juice (sodium citrate) or white vinegar (acetic acid). Lemon juice is less potent than vinegar but will leave behind a smell; if you want something odorless, go with vinegar. (For an even deeper clean, try using equal parts lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide.) If You Want New Colors: Valspar’s done all the legwork for you—you just have to pick your favorite color! To do so, just look at samples until one really stands out as perfect for your kitchen.
Restore
Restoring your cabinets is a great way to give them new life. If your cabinet doors or handles are looking dingy or worn, it’s time for an update. Restoring is like painting—it can be done on your own, but there are special products and techniques that professionals use that make it go much faster and easier. That said, restoring isn’t difficult (just follow these simple steps). You can use all-in-one kits if you don’t want to buy each ingredient separately; some even include sandpaper, stain, topcoat, and more.
Polish Up
One of my favorite ways to make your kitchen cabinets shine again is with a product called Mother’s Polish. I’ve used it for years and it works great. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar together in a spray bottle, then add some Mother’s polish. Then just spray onto your cabinets, wait 15 minutes, then use an old rag or soft-bristled brush to wipe down your cabinets. The wood will look shiny new! For extra shine, you can also use beeswax after polishing with Mother’s.
Reapply Paint Finish
If your cabinets are painted, not all is lost. Give them a fresh coat of paint to give them a quick facelift. You can go for bold colors or keep it classic with white paint—whichever you choose, just make sure it’s an easy-to-clean finish. While you may have liked your kitchen cabinets well enough before now, your refinished cabinets will turn into one of your favorite features of your home! By giving them a fresh coat of paint (and maybe even replacing some hardware), you’ll be able to take simple pieces that no one paid attention to and turn them into charming pieces that everyone can’t stop staring at. This project won’t cost much but definitely make an impact!
Repair & Replace Hardware
Do you have cabinets that are starting to rust, peel or change color? Have you ever thought about replacing your cabinets, but simply didn’t know where to start? If so, it may be time for some new hardware. Some hardware is easy to install; in fact, most doors will come with instructions for proper installation. Depending on your skill level, you can easily change any cabinet hardware in a few hours or less. Installing new hardware is one of the best ways to completely change the entire look of your kitchen in little time at all. You don’t need fancy tools; all you need is a screwdriver and perhaps pliers.
Upgrade Knobs & Handles
Replacing knobs and handles is an easy way to update your kitchen’s look without spending too much money. Whether you want something simple like crystal knob sets, or ornate like decorative glass pieces, it’s easier than ever to find exactly what you need at affordable prices. Swapping out hardware doesn’t just give cabinets a facelift; it also allows you to get rid of cabinet doors that are damaged or outdated. If your drawers don’t slide smoothly because of peeling veneer or torn tracks, changing out their hardware can restore smooth operation. No matter which option you choose, be sure that all new accessories complement your existing fixtures and appliances—or else you may not see any benefits beyond appearance.
Refresh Hardware
A great, inexpensive way to give your kitchen a facelift is by refreshing some of its hardware. By replacing knobs and pulls, you can give new life to old cabinets. You’ll find tons of different options at home improvement stores—even ones that are built-in ready!—for about $15 per piece. Even if you aren’t planning on completely redoing your kitchen anytime soon, picking up new hardware will still change up your space enough that it won’t look quite as dated as it does now. Plus, it only takes an hour or two of your time! So even if you can’t afford a full remodel right now, swapping out hardware is definitely something you should consider doing ASAP.
Use Natural Home Products
Instead of overloading your cabinets with chemical-laden cleaners and polishes, opt for natural or homemade ones. For example, rather than use a commercial cleanser and polish on your cabinets, make an all-natural version by filling a spray bottle with one part white vinegar and two parts water. Then, just spray it onto your cabinets and wipe them down with a soft cloth. The combination of vinegar and water is perfect for cleaning most surfaces in your kitchen, especially if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option that won’t leave behind harmful chemicals.
Add Extra Storage Options
If you’re lacking extra storage space in your kitchen, consider adding pull-out drawers, roll-out shelves, or other easy-access solutions. These solutions not only look great, but they can help keep your cabinets looking organized and clean even when you don’t have time to wipe them down. Add spice racks or magazine holders for functional storage options that won’t crowd your cabinets. And remember, one of the easiest ways to get organized is making sure everything has a place. Keeping food supplies in clear containers allows you to grab exactly what you need without having large amounts of food hanging around that you might forget about later on.
Clean Mold
Cleaning mold can be tricky—if you apply too much heat, for example, it could end up expanding into neighboring areas. To avoid that problem entirely, run a vacuum over hard-to-reach spaces (like underneath drawers), remove any excess grime by rubbing with hot soapy water (using gloves!), then wipe down any visible mold spots with diluted bleach. Keep in mind that if your cabinets are made of natural wood, using bleach on them is not recommended unless they are painted or varnished!
Use Powder Cleansers
When cleaning your cabinets, you may want to avoid using soaps or detergents. It can leave residue behind which makes dust stick easier. Instead, try a powdered cleanser that will not stick as much. Powdered cleaners are very effective at removing smudges and marks from glass shelves, but they’re also effective on knobs and handles. Mix some cornstarch with warm water in a spray bottle then apply to surfaces that need cleaning. It won’t be long before they are completely clean again!
Install Sliding Shelves
Replacing shelves in your cabinets is an inexpensive way to add some depth and color to your kitchen. It’s also a great way to give cabinets that have seen better days of new life. They can be installed in just a few hours with just a screwdriver, drill, and some measuring tape. When purchasing sliding shelves for your kitchen, look for ones that are made of high-quality wood and veneer rather than particle board or plastic—they will last longer and withstand more wear and tear than other options. You can also choose from pre-assembled shelves or those that come unassembled so you can create custom size spaces for larger items like pans and mixing bowls. The possibilities are endless!
How do I make my kitchen cabinets sparkle?
Let’s be honest here: you’re not going to transform those wood cabinets into granite countertops. But, by taking a few easy steps now, you can make your cabinets shine again. First, dust them down with a damp microfiber cloth. You can then apply a thin layer of lemon oil or mineral oil with a dry cloth for natural wood, or a mixture of 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar for faux finishes. After that dries, reapply as necessary until your wood looks shiny and new again!