No one wants to be embroiled with cleaning white, probably because of the experiences we’ve had working with them in the laundry. But white, in the kitchen ecosphere, really isn’t a problem.
Here’s Why White Kitchen Cabinets Aren’t Really Hard to Keep Clean
White kitchen cabinets may show dust and dirt easily, but they can be cleaned easily using the simple solution of dishwashing detergent and water. Dust that accumulate on white cabinets can be wiped off quickly using a clean, dry cloth, and stains that settle on them can be tackled using household cleaners like Clorox, Windex or dawn.
Do White Kitchen Cabinets Get Dirty Easily?
White cabinets show smudges and dirt easily than darker cabinets, but that doesn’t mean they get dirty more than them.
All painted cabinets, regardless of the color (or shade of color) attract dirt nearly the same, provided the comparison is made for the same type of paint, the same type of paint brand and also the same paint finish.
When it comes to painted cabinets, particularly white cabinets, there are 4 factors that influence how easily they get dirty.
These are:
- The brand (or quality) of paint
- The type of paint
- The finish of the paint
- The type of finishing on the cabinets, if paints aren’t used.
The lower the quality of your paint, the greater likelihood there is for the cabinets to acquire dirt and show smudges easily. Sometimes, it may not be about quality, but the technology of the paint itself.
The type of finishing can also affect how good a cabinet turns out at keeping dust and dirt away. Laminates may be just one great example.
Choosing the wrong paint finish too will affect how easily the cabinets pick up and show stains in the kitchen.
For more clarity on that, below is a table showing you the different types of paint finishes, how easily they show stains and how easy it is to clean these stains.
| Paint Finish | Stain Visibility | Cleaning | |
| 1 | Flat | Low | Medium |
| 2 | Matt | Low | medium |
| 3 | Eggshell | Low | Easy |
| 4 | Satin | Low | Easy |
| 5 | Semi-gloss | High | Easy |
| 6 | Glossy | Very High | Easy |
| 7 | High-gloss | Very High | Easy |
From the table above, we can see that the higher the gloss of a finish, the more stain it shows, although cleaning is quite effortless so long as the stain is tackled quickly.
For dull or flat finishes however, they’re somewhat good at hiding stains, although cleaning these stains might not be the most pleasing exercise, especially when the stain has aged.
It’s good to note though, that not all paint finishes are created equal. Different brands exist that offer different technologies in their products, so finding exceptions to the above rule of thumb isn’t going to be a surprise.
All in all, white kitchen cabinets may require cleaning much often, but bear at the back of your mind that it’s because they’re white, which means they’ll show these stains quite easily than any other color.
Do White Kitchen Cabinets Turn Yellow Overtime?
White kitchen cabinets can definitely turn yellow overtime.
The culprits responsible for this change may include grease build that have settled and aged on cabinets through the steam that rises from everyday cooking, and also smudges applied to the cabinet surface by oily fingers.
It can also happen through sunlight exposure of the cabinets, as well as natural ageing of some of the constituents that make up the paint.
Yellowing of paints is best tackled by repainting the cabinet all over again, however, you can try a solution of 1 cup vinegar, 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
Apply the fizzy mixture to the affected surface using a soft sponge and dry with a clean rag afterwards.
How to Clean and Remove Stains from White Cabinets: MDF, laminated, Melamine, Thermofoil, Stained and Painted
The white color on your cabinets can have their genesis from lamination (and all the other procedures that resemble or fall under it i.e. melamine and thermofoil), staining and also painting.
Let’s see how we can clean each one of these finishes at home.
How To Clean White Laminated Cabinet; Laminate, Thermofoil, Melamine
Laminated cabinets are pretty durable, and cleaning them is really easy too.
Use a solution of room temperature water and mild detergent or soap (like dishwashing soap).
For the abrasive element, opt for a cloth or sponge and avoid hard scrubs, detergents with abrasives, scouring pads, brushes and scrapers.
When you need to go the heavy duty route, because you probably have stains that are proving stubborn to clean, use the following household cleaners, and make sure to turn them into a paste with baking soda.
- Dawn
- Windex
- Mr Clean
- Clorox
- TOP JOB
- Lestoil
- Lysol
- Glass Plus
Apply the paste onto the stained area continually, with some force, but let the force be gentle enough to avoid causing scratch and damage to the laminated surface.
Wipe the moistened cabinet dry with a clean cloth, and repeat the procedure if necessary.
For ink stains, diluted rubbing alcohol will work fine. But make sure to try it out on an inconspicuous area first.
Quick dusting and moistening of laminated surface (with a dampen cloth) should be done at least once or twice a month, and thorough cleaning as described above should be done at least 4 times in a year.
Make sure to take out everything inside the cabinet whenever you plan on thoroughly cleaning the cabinet, and avoid working with too much moisture as water can end up penetrating into any open seam of the laminate and cause it to peel off or swell.
Spot treatment should always be done the moment a stain is formed, as leaving stains to sit on a porous surface like wood would do no good.
How to Clean White Stained Cabinet
The process for cleaning white stained cabinet is nearly the same as that for laminate cabinets.
First wipe off dust from the surface of the cabinet using a damp cloth, then soak and wring a second cloth or sponge in a solution of water and mild soap and use that to clean the interior and exterior of the stained cabinet.
Follow up with a dry cloth (that is lint free) and make sure to clean towards the direction for the grain.
How to Clean a White Painted Cabinet
Most painted cabinets have a transparent coating applied to them called varnish, and these have very good washability.
To clean painted cabinets, use mild detergent and a soft sponge and go through the areas that need cleaning the most.
Avoid furniture polishes and waxes as these can cause discoloration or dulling of the existing varnish coat.
To tackle even more stubborn stains, use a household cleaner.
How to Get White Cabinets White Again
The best way to get white cabinets white again is to paint them white. But if you’re not ready for that kind of makeover, then there is something you can try, but there’s no 100% guarantee it’ll work.
So what’s the secret?
It’s simple. Warm water and dish soap.
So long you keep up with this, especially as a new cabinet owner, your white cabinets should really maintain their whiteness.
So here’s what to do.
Get a clean sponge and dip it into a sudsy solution of warm water and dish soap.
Wring and clean the cabinet with it. Follow up with a clean dry cloth. Do this at least once in two months and your whites should thank you for that.
Can You Use Magic Eraser on White Cabinets?
Magic eraser is excellent for getting rid of scuffs, scratches, crayon stains, marker stains and even ink stains on your cabinets, but it’s not advised to be used as a permanent cleaning solution because of its abrasive effect on the surface of cabinets which can wear down the finish.
How Do You Protect Your White Kitchen Cabinets?
There are a few things you can do to make sure the whiteness of your white cabinets are maintained for a very long time. These include:
- Avoid opening the cabinet using the edges or sides of the door, the handle is there for a reason.
- Choose a cabinet finish and paint wisely. Higher gloss means more stain and dirt visibility, but the cleaning may not necessary be hard. The opposite of matt or flat will hide stains better, but cleaning can be a bit hideous.
- Opt for slab doors as these are easier to clean due to the lack of intricacies on their surface.
- Get your cabinets professionally painted. They last longer and are more reliable in terms of how well they keep their glorious state. They won’t chip faster or wear down earlier also.
Can White Kitchen Cabinets Be Repainted?
White kitchen cabinets can always be repainted if the current paint wears down, and this is actually the best way to keep them looking plum.
To paint a kitchen cabinet, you can either hire someone to do the job for you, take it for professional service, or do it on your own. I advise to take cabinets for professional painting as that offers so much superiority over DIY or workshop painting.
What To Do If You’re Undecided about Installing White Cabinets in Your Kitchen
You might be in the situation where you want to “opt” and “not opt” for a white cabinet at the same time.
It’s truly a difficult situation to be in.
Going for white kitchen cabinets means you have to clean a little more frequently in order to keep them at their optimal state. But the space and brightness that white kitchen cabinets bring along is something to truly lust after.
But, there’s a solution that really strikes a fine line of balance between the two disparities.
The two tone design.
The base or upper cabinet, whichever is situated in the high traffic area of your kitchen should have the much darker color that hides stains, whereas the other cabinet can be painted white.
That way, you still maintain that white look for your kitchen but benefit a reduction in the stress involved in cleaning the kitchen cabinets.
Is White Still Popular For Kitchen Cabinet? Are They Worth It?
White is still a popular choice for kitchen cabinets till date, because of its clean look and how it makes a kitchen space look brighter and simple.
The choice of white cabinets has existed for a very long time now, and till this very date, is presented by home décor experts as a good recommendation for painting kitchen cabinets.
Contrary to what people think, the maintenance of white cabinets really isn’t that complicated.
White is a light color and as such, will definitely show dirt build up easily, but that doesn’t mean white accumulates dirt more than any color, as that (accumulation) is something that depends on a host of factors that we have outlined above.
What Is The Best Kitchen Cabinet Color For Stains?
By far, darker colors are the best when it comes to hiding stains in the kitchen. So colors like deep blue, navy blue, dark green, black, brown, and even natural wood colors will hide stains and dirt that your cabinets pick up on a day to day basis.
Don’t forget though, to always clean your cabinets as directed above because hidden dirt and stain can still strip away some of their aesthetic appeal of your cabinet.