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How to clean matte kitchen cabinets – a step-by-step guide

Pabio October 30, 2024

Our kitchens can undergo many tests on a daily basis. From steam and stains to grease and oil, it sees it all as you cook and prepare your favorite meals. If you’ve invested in the matte kitchen cabinets of your dreams, you’ll know that fingerprints and smudges can ruin their rich, velvety look. That’s why we asked the experts how to clean matte kitchen cabinets to keep your kitchen cabinet ideas as chic as the day you bought them.

“Matte finishes are ideal for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, easy-to-live-with kitchen style,” says Symphony Design lead, Josie Medved. “Their elegant, understated look includes a consistency of color that maintains its strength and depth in any light, wherever it is installed, and at any time of day.”

Although matte cabinets are not difficult to clean, unlike glossy surfaces, they do not reflect light, making marks harder to see. This can mean that dirt can go unnoticed until it becomes more embedded in the surface of the furniture,” admits MyJobQuote.co.uk’s Cleaning expert, Sarah Dempsey.

So here’s everything you need to know about how to clean matte kitchen cabinets, plus a handy step-by-step guide to making cleaning them a breeze.

What you will need

4 clean, shiny cleaning cloths

Step by step guide

1. Prepare your cleaning solution

Depending on your preferences, you can purchase a cleaning solution specifically designed to clean matte surfaces, like kitchen cabinets. However, experts all agree that adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a bowl of lukewarm water and mixing should be more than enough.

“Remember, less is more when it comes to matte surfaces,” Catherine Green, of smolaffirms. “You only need a small drop of dish soap to avoid leaving residue. »

2. Remove any dust or debris

Before you begin, it’s important to gently wipe your matte kitchen cabinets with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust or debris, as “this will prevent scratches when you move on to wet cleaning,” admits Catherine.

Indeed, “dust and other fine grains left over from previous cleaning can act like sandpaper and pose a risk to any surface, no matter how well sealed,” reveals Nadine Chadwick, marketing manager at Nolte Kitchens. It’s also important to only use microfiber cloths to clean dull kitchen cabinets, as regular cloths or paper towels can leave behind lint and streaks, experts agree.

Simon Taylor furniture kitchen

(Image credit: Simon Taylor Furniture)

3. Start cleaning

Once you’ve removed all the dust, it’s time to dampen a second microfiber cloth, not the one you just used to remove dust and debris. But it is extremely important to wring it out well. Essentially, “the fabric should be barely damp to the touch,” according to Catherine. This is because you don’t want “moisture getting into the handles or edges of the bar, causing the wood to swell,” warns Nadine.

Once your cloth is damp but not wet, work in small sections, using gentle circular motions – rather than up and down or side to side – to clean the entirety of each door, allowing special attention to handles and edges. fat tends to accumulate.

kitchen with green cabinets and pink wall units

(Image credit: Future PLC / Katie Lee)

4. Rinse

It’s time to grab another microfiber cloth – see, that’s why we recommend buying a pack of at least four for cleaning jobs like this – but this time, you just want the moisten with water. And this will allow you to wipe down each section to remove any soap residue.

“Remember to rinse your cloth frequently to ensure a streak-free finish,” advises Catherine.

5. Finish by drying thoroughly

Along with a fourth and final microfiber cloth, this must be completely dry as it will be used to dry each cabinet door, ensuring that no moisture remains. Just like when you were cleaning, you will need to dry in small, gentle circular motions to polish the surface. And according to Catherine, “this step is crucial to avoid water marks and streaks.”

B&Q GoodHome Alisma matt blue kitchen

(Image credit: B&Q)

FAQs

How to remove fingerprints from matte kitchen cabinets?

“Fingerprints can appear on matte kitchen cabinets due to the oil in our skin leaving a residue on the surface,” says Sarah. So, “if dishwashing liquid and water don’t remove the stains, it’s time to use a solution of white vinegar and water.”

Cleaning with vinegar works because “vinegar is a natural acid and it removes greasy fingerprints without damaging the surface of the furniture,” Sarah continues. You’ll want to create “a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water,” Catherine adds. But you should always test on a small, hidden area first, before applying it everywhere.

In most cases, if the fingerprints are fresh, you should be able to wipe them off with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. However, “for particularly stubborn stains, you can rub a paste of baking soda and water over the surface until the surface is clean,” Sarah suggests.

Although you should never use abrasive cleaning products on matte surfaces, as they can leave scratches, this dual-fuel solution is much more delicate. Remember to rinse it with clean water and dry it well with a new cloth, but this should help remove any more stubborn dirt or grease.

How to keep matte cabinets clean?

As with most things, staying on top of cleaning will prevent you from having to do a particularly deep clean. And the best way to keep matte cabinets clean is to adopt a good routine of wiping them regularly and thus avoiding the accumulation of dirt, grease or stains. Make it part of your daily cleaning routineor even part of your Sunday Reset.

“Quick, regular cleaning with a clean, slightly damp microfiber cloth can prevent the build-up of grease and grime,” suggests Catherine. “Make a habit of wiping down cabinet fronts once a week, paying particular attention to areas around handles and edges where fingers naturally touch. And always use gentle circular motions and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage the matte finish.

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