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Best way to clean cabinets
Hi, I have city line cabinets with cherry wood/tamarack stain on lowers and uppers are painted pure white. What is the safest way to clean the two different finishes on the cabinets?
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1 Reply
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Cabinet cleaning problems come in several levels.
Level one: Dust.
Level two: Fingerprints.
Level three: “My pan caught fire, and now the upper cabinets look like they spent the weekend inside a chimney.”
Level four: “My kids found a Sharpie and decided the cabinets needed a portrait of the family dog.”
Start with the least dramatic option. Grab a soft microfiber cloth, like the yellow ones from Costco. Get it wet, wring it out really well, and gently wipe down the cabinets.
The goal is to clean the finish, not punish it. Avoid anything abrasive that could dull or scratch the paint. The cabinet finish is extremely durable. You can test a painted sample and see how hard it is to damage, even with your keys. Still, there is no reason to attack your cabinets like they owe you money.
If the damp cloth does not work, add a small amount of mild dish soap to the water. Wring the cloth out thoroughly before wiping. Do not leave water droplets sitting on the surface, unless you would like to trade your original problem for a brand-new collection of water spots.
For stubborn stains or permanent marker, try a very small amount of acetone. Always test it first on a paint sample or an area that nobody will notice unless they are crawling around your kitchen with a flashlight.
When all hope is lost and the cabinets appear to be winning, Goof Off can be used as a last resort. Apply it only to the affected spot and use it carefully. Goof Off is strong enough to remove the stain, the paint, and possibly your confidence if you get too aggressive with it.
I have used this process in the past with great results. Start gently, work your way up, and save the heavy artillery for the cabinet emergencies that deserve it.
