7 Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Cabinets in Top Shape

Cabinets are used on a daily basis, and over time, this can result in worn-down cabinets that have spills, splatters and grime. Fortunately, there are some simple tips that you can follow to keep your kitchen cabinets in great shape! Not only will your kitchen look better, but also you can extend your cabinets’ lifespan and save money!

Here are seven tips that will help you keep your kitchen cabinets in tip-top condition.

1. Make a DIY Cleaning Solution

You should be cleaning your cabinets every so often to remove dirt, smudges and grease buildup. But skip the expensive cleaning solutions. You can make your own solution using 5% dishwasher liquid and 95% water. It’s easier on your lungs, too!

2. Have a Touch-Up Kit on Hand

No matter how hard you try, small nicks, scratches and gouges are likely to happen to your solid wood kitchen cabinets. Purchase a touch-up kit now so that when these imperfections happen, you can easily repair them.

3. Install UV Blocking Shades

If you plan on replacing your window treatments in the near future, upgrade to UV-blocking shades. These will prevent fading and sun damage, as UV rays from the sun can cause discoloration, fading or darkening.

4. Remove Doors When Cleaning the Oven

When running a self-clean cycle on your oven, remove nearby doors and drawers from your cabinets. This extra step prevents the excess heat from drying out and cracking the wood. You can use this time to wipe down the interior and exterior of the cabinets.

5. Hang Your Towel on 3M Hooks

Avoid draping hand towels over your cabinets. This will eventually lead to water damage. Since so many hooks are made to hang over the cabinets, you’ll need to create your own using a 3M hook against a tile backsplash. Or, hang the towels on the stove’s pull bar.

6. Install Practical Hardware

Don’t just install hardware that’s decorative - look for functionality as well. For example, large sturdy handles prevent people from slamming cabinets, which gradually breaks down the wood. Sturdy drawer pulls also keep sticky fingers off the drawers.

7. Use Olive Oil to Add Shine

Olive oil works well and is safe to use around food. It also breaks up grease and stains. Again, you don’t need to spend your money on expensive polishes and shines. Other DIY polish options include lemon oil, vinegar and coconut oil. You can find the recipes here.

By following these seven tips, you can enjoy beautiful kitchen cabinetry for years to come. And the best part is that all of these tips and tricks are inexpensive and easy to implement! Enjoy and let us know what works for you!