This post gives you the best steps on how to clean kitchen cabinets before painting them.
Properly cleaning your kitchen cabinets before painting is a crucial first step for achieving the best results. The cleaner your cabinets, the better adhesion, leading to a more professional and long-lasting finish. By removing grease, dirt, and grime, you create an ideal surface for the new paint to adhere to, preventing potential chipping or peeling in the future.
Cleaning cabinets may not be the most fun step in the process, but it’s totally worth doing if you want your cabinets to look flawless! The best news is that you don’t need to use any harsh chemicals, such as trisodium phosphate (TSP).
There are plenty of natural cleaners that will get rid of greasy cabinets. While cleaning your wood cabinets can be a lot of work, it is the best way to ensure a successful cabinet makeover.
Often, cleaning kitchen cabinets is neglected or overlooked. Painting and seeing the transformation is much more fun than wiping off greasy kitchen cabinets. However, clean cabinets is an important step and should not be neglected.
Why You Need to Clean Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting
Cabinets are high-touch surfaces that experience daily use. You may be tempted to skip cleaning your kitchen cabinets and go straight to painting them. The problem is your paint will not stick as well, leading to uneven coverage and potential peeling.
Giving them a good cleaning first will ensure proper adhesion and a smooth finish. Here are step-by-step instructions to clean your kitchen cabinets the easy way!
Materials Needed
- Microfiber Cloth or Sponge
- Bucket or Spray Bottle
- Warm Water
- White Vinegar
- Castile Soap or Dawn Dish Soap
- Krud Kutter (optional)
- Gloves (optional)
- Baking Soda
- Old Toothbrush
- Dry Cloth
- Screwdriver (if you want to remove the cabinet hardware)
Best Cleaning Solutions
Start with a 50/50 mix of warm water and white vinegar. Pour the mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and you’re ready to go. Apply the cleaning solution and wipe it off using a soft cloth (like a microfiber cloth) or sponge to effectively remove cooking grease and grease stains from the surface of the cabinets.
(If you prefer to use an all-purpose cleaner, Krud Kutter is the best degreaser. You can buy it here. I used it to clean my own cabinets and OH MY, they shine!)
The first thing you want to do is get as much grease off the cabinet doors as possible. The acidic properties in vinegar help cut through the grease. This paves the way for proper paint adhesion when it’s time to paint the kitchen cabinets.
Your kitchen may be smelling like vinegar at this point. The smell will go away, but this next step is a great way to improve the smell and ensure all the grease is removed.
Start with a mixture of warm, clean water and dish soap. If you prefer a non-toxic soap, Castile soap is a great option. Otherwise, Dawn dish soap is the go-to choice for removing grease.
Now that you’ve cut through the grease with the acidic vinegar, wipe them down one more time with dish soap and water. Again, you could skip this step if you don’t feel it’s necessary. But going over your cabinets a couple of times will help remove any leftover grime and leave your kitchen smelling clean!
Important Tips for Cleaning Cabinets
- Try not to get your cabinets too wet. You don’t want to damage the wood by adding too much moisture. After you’ve wiped down the cabinets with your preferred cleaning solution, go over them again with a clean, dry cloth. This will buff the shine and keep the water from settling into the wood fibers.
- A microfiber cloth is a good choice to wipe the cabinet surfaces. Microfiber cloths are gentle and won’t scratch or damage the surfaces, protecting the wood while effectively removing the grime.
- An old toothbrush is a good idea to help you get in the crevices and deep groves, tackling that inconspicuous area that is hard to reach. A toothbrush also comes in handy when you’re needing to clean the drawer slides. Those slides can collect an incredible amount of dirt!
- Use warm, if not hot, water to help soften the grime so you can wipe off the grease more easily. Again, I also used Krud Kutter and was super impressed with the result.
- For tougher stains, mix up one part baking soda with two parts warm, clean water. Dab the paste onto the bare wood and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it with a dampened clean cloth.
- To prevent rust, don’t soak the cabinet hardware. Either remove the hardware and wipe down each piece, or spray your cloth and then carefully wipe down the hinges.
Final Inspection and Touch-Ups
Take a close look at the cabinet surface to ensure that no spots or residue are missed. Pay attention to any greasy areas or glossy surfaces that may need additional attention. If you spot any areas that still have lingering grime or grease stains, a minor touch-up with a damp cloth using warm water and a gentle cleaning solution will do the trick.
This meticulous step ensures that the cabinet surface is pristine and ready for the next phase of the process. By doing the proper prep work, you are setting the stage for a flawless finish when it’s time to paint.
Here’s the list of cleaning supplies so you can get started right away:
- Microfiber Cloth or Sponge
- Bucket or Spray Bottle
- Warm Water
- White Vinegar
- Castile Soap or Dawn Dish Soap
- Krud Kutter (optional)
- Gloves (optional)
- Baking Soda
- Old Toothbrush
- Dry Cloth
- Screwdriver (if you want to remove the cabinet hardware)
Remember, a pristine surface is the key to achieving the best results when painting kitchen cabinets. By following the detailed cleaning process, you’ve set yourself up for success. Your hard work will pay off when you go to add that fresh coat of paint.
Cleaning your cabinets not only ensures the best paint adhesion but also sets the foundation for a more professional finish overall. Cleaning your cabinets is a crucial step before painting and you’ll be so glad you did this in the long run!
