Written by Curtis Tankersley, Owner of Just Add Paint, Cabinet Painting and Interior Painting in Mechanicsburg, PA
How do you clean painted kitchen cabinets? Quick Answer: Clean painted cabinets with a microfiber cloth, warm water, and a few drops of mild dish soap. Avoid Magic Erasers, abrasive scrub pads, wax-based wood cleaners, and harsh degreasers. Krud Kutter is a gentle biodegradable cleaner for tougher jobs.
Your cabinets have FINALLY been painted (hopefully by a professional using a KCMA-rated paint). It cost way more than you anticipated, but of course, it was well worth it because your kitchen looks INCREDIBLE. To keep them looking pristine and ensure their longevity, proper cleaning, and care are essential. I would be a rich man if I had a dollar for every time someone destroyed their freshly painted kitchen cabinets with a magic eraser (which is technically sandpaper). So please do not be disappointed when I recommend NOT using one of those. Follow these steps to keep your painted cabinets looking brand new for years to come!
1. The Basics: Don’t wait until they are showing wear to care:
Gently Wipe and Dust Regularly
- Dust regularly without using chemicals or water. A microfibre rag/towel works well.
- For daily spills and splatters, use a mild solution of warm water. If that is insufficient, a few drops of a gentle dish soap. Dampen a soft cloth or sponge, wipe down the affected area, and then dry it immediately. Use as little pressure as possible on the rag. This should not be “elbow grease” type cleaning.
2. Deep Cleaning: Periodic Interventions
There are several options for this, depending on your preference
- Warm water and distilled vinegar mixed 50/50 works well for those who like to old school. I personally find the smell of vinegar to be obnoxious, and tend to avoid it. However, it is one of the more common methods among customers.
- Dish soap and warm water is another classic solution that never fails and works well to help erase small amounts of daily build-up. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down the cabinets. Be sure to dry thoroughly afterward. Best of all, I expect nearly 100% of those reading this blog already have dish soap. So there is the added bonus of not having to make a trip to the store!
- Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, especially those with abrasives in them. Our personal favorite is the citrus-based, biodegradable Krud Kutter. I first came across Krud Kutter around 15 years ago. This cleaner is in a class of its own, and it is one of the few environmentally products that works better than its toxic counterparts. I dilute this as much as 10 parts water to 1 part solution, and it still gets the job done. For tougher jobs, a 5:1 ratio gets it done. In fact, Krud Kutter is the only cleaning solution I use at my home when I am not disinfecting. Just make sure you are getting the original Krud Kutter, and not one of its spin-off products. (Which also work well for their individual cleaning tasks).
3. Avoid Products That Are Intended For Wood Care
- Rememberthat your cabinets now have a paint-based product on them, which is very different from wood. Wood cleaners are chemically completely different from paint. They often contain waxes or oils, which are literally what we are trying to get off the cabinets by cleaning them. A high-quality, KCMA-rated paint does not need a coating and will be plenty durable enough without waxing. This was counter-intuitive to me the first time I heard it too. Stick to the list above.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES: GUARDING AGAINST WEAR AND TEAR:
- Pretty, pretty please, avoid closing the silverware drawer with a utensil sticking halfway out. While the damage is much less visible before painting, this damages the wood. Almost 100% of the cabinets we paint have been damaged, which homeowners are unaware of. Paint that chips off due to silverware being closed in a drawer will not be covered by any warranty on the planet.
- Be mindful of an over-full cabinet. Pots or containers that repeatedly come into the back of a cabinet door will eventually cause damage.
- Temperature and humidity control. This is a big one. While not visible on stained cabinets, there are typically expansion and contraction cracks throughout the clear coat. Once painted, these spots are visible IMMEDIATELY, even when they are tiny hairline cracks. Temperature should be kept around 70 degrees with as little variation as possible, and humidity should be 40-50%.
Cleaning Painted Cabinets at a Glance
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Microfiber cloth | Magic Eraser |
| Mild dish soap | Steel wool |
| Warm water | Furniture polish |
| Dry immediately | Soaking cabinets |
| Clean spills quickly | Harsh degreasers |
INSPECT CABINETS REGULARLY TO STAY AHEAD OF POTENTIAL DAMAGE:
When it comes to refinished kitchen cabinets, maintenance is MUCH easier than repair. If you see something that looks off/is not functioning correctly, call your refinisher before attempting a fix. And whatever you do – don’t ignore it!
Things to look for include:
- Doors and drawers that are not functioning properly and may cause banging/scraping.
- Cracks in the joints: This is usually caused by temperature or humidity issues. Address this quickly to avoid water or moisture penetration that will cause wood to swell. An expert will make quick work of these types of problems if they are caught early enough.
IN SUMMARY:
Proper cleaning is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment. Professionally refinished cabinets can look beautiful for many years when cleaned gently and maintained consistently. If you ever notice peeling, soft spots, chipping, or damaged doors, contact Just Add Paint before attempting a repair—we’re happy to help homeowners throughout Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Carlisle, and the greater Harrisburg area.
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQs
Can you use Magic Erasers on painted cabinets?
No. Magic Erasers are mildly abrasive and can dull or burnish cabinet finishes, especially professional cabinet coatings. Think of them as a high grit sandpaper.
What is the safest cleaner for painted cabinets?
Warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap is usually the safest everyday cleaner. For heavier grease, diluted Krud Kutter works well when followed by a clean water rinse.
Can vinegar damage painted cabinets?
A diluted vinegar solution is generally safe for occasional cleaning, but frequent use isn’t necessary. Mild soap and water are usually the better long-term option.
How often should painted cabinets be cleaned?
Light cleaning every 2-4 weeks prevents grease buildup and reduces the need for stronger cleaners.
What cleaners should never be used / Products to avoid?
Avoid:
- Magic Erasers
- Steel wool
- Abrasive pads
- Furniture polish
- Murphy Oil Soap
- Wax-based wood cleaners
- Undiluted degreasers
At Just Add Paint, we’ve refinished hundreds of kitchen cabinets throughout Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Carlisle, Harrisburg, and Central Pennsylvania. Proper maintenance is one of the biggest factors in helping professionally refinished cabinets last for many years.
Curtis’ Pro Tip: If you need to scrub hard enough that your arm gets tired, you’re probably using too much pressure. Let the cleaner do the work—not elbow grease. A little Krud Kutter goes a long way...
Thank you for reading our blog – The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Caring for Painted Kitchen Cabinets! Please feel free to reach out to us for estimates – and also, if you are a DIYer and just have some questions, we can answer in an email. We are happy to talk shop about all things painting, even if you are planning to do a job yourself!
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Related blog post: https://www.justaddpaint.net/what-is-the-kcma-standard-and-does-it-matter
Related blog post: https://www.justaddpaint.net/painted-cabinets-vs-door-replacement-is-door-replacement-right-for-me
