How to Clean a Metal Filing Cabinet

Meta description: Learn the best methods and steps for thoroughly cleaning a metal filing cabinet, including tips for cleaning the exterior, interior, drawers and rails. Achieve a spotless filing cabinet.

Cleaning a metal filing cabinet can seem like an overwhelming task, especially if it has been neglected for some time. Metal filing cabinets easily show dirt, smudges, dust and grime buildup. However, with the right supplies and techniques, you can have it looking like new again.

Whether for home or office use, a clean metal filing cabinet makes retrieving and organizing files much more pleasant. Follow this extensive guide to learn how to deep clean a metal filing cabinet inside and out.

Gather the Proper Supplies

Before getting started, collect the necessary supplies to clean and polish every part of the filing cabinet:

• Microfiber cloths
• Old toothbrush or other small scrub brush
• Cotton swabs
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• All-purpose cleaner or degreaser
• Metal polishing cream or wax
• Plastic/wood cleaner (if cabinet has plastic or wooden accents)
• Small bag or box to hold hardware and tabs during cleaning
• Trash bags

Make sure you have clean cloths and scrub brushes. Dirty supplies will just move the grime around rather than lifting it off.

Prepare a cleaning solution of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. A 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water works well.

Also have a small bucket or bin handy to soak small parts for cleaning. Fill it with warm water and a few squirts of dish soap.

Clear Out Cabinet Contents

Before cleaning the cabinet itself, remove everything stored inside it. Having the drawers and shelves empty will allow you to access the entire interior.

Go through the contents and decide what to keep or toss:

• Discard trash and any papers or folders you no longer need.
• Put papers and folders you want to keep in a temporary file box or storage container.
• Stack shelves, dividers or any other items separate from papers.

Make sure to check small interior compartments and remove items as well.

If papers or folders are dusty, wipe them down before putting them in the storage container. Any dirt will just get moved back into the clean cabinet later.

Take Out Removable Parts

Most filing cabinets have components that can be taken out for better access. Remove these parts and set them aside for cleaning:

• Drawers – Pull drawers completely out and remove them. Stack neatly on a flat surface.
• Rails – The long metal rails that drawers slide on usually lift right out after removing plastic end caps.
• Shelves – Take out any removable shelves or divider trays.
• Hardware – As you disassemble components, place screws, bolts, tabs and other hardware pieces into a bag or box to keep them organized.

Make note of how removable parts fit together so you can properly reassemble the cabinet after cleaning. Take pictures if necessary.

Clean the Exterior Surfaces

With the drawers removed, the entire exterior of the filing cabinet is exposed.

Use a microfiber cloth dampened with the vinegar cleaning solution to wipe down all exterior surfaces:

• Top, sides, front and back of the cabinet
• Drawer fronts/faces
• Doors or panels

Scrub with an old toothbrush to get into narrow crevices and corners.

For stubborn dirt, spray directly onto the surface and let sit for several minutes before wiping.

Rinse with a clean damp cloth and buff dry with a dry microfiber towel.

Repeat the process as needed until all exterior surfaces are free of grime.

Clean the Interior

With contents and removable parts taken out, the inside of the cabinet is accessible.

Use the vinegar spray and scrub brush to thoroughly clean:

• Inside walls
• Undersides of shelves (if not removable)
• Back panel
• Any non-removable divider or support pieces

Wipe away all dirt and grime buildup.

For stubborn sticky spots, spray a bit of degreaser and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing away.

Rinse surfaces with a clean damp cloth and dry well with a lint-free towel.

The inside should look fresh and new again before moving on to other cleaning.

Drawer Interior Cleaning

Drawers usually collect the bulk of the dirt, dust and debris. It helps to clean them separately from the rest of the cabinet.

Fill your bin or small bucket with warm water and dish soap. Let each drawer soak for 15-30 minutes so grime softens. Scrub all interior surfaces with a toothbrush or other small scrub brush.

Remove drawers from the soapy water and rinse under running water. Wipe with a clean damp cloth and dry thoroughly.

For stubborn sticky residue or rust stains, spray vinegar solution directly onto the affected areas. Let soak 5-10 minutes before scrubbing clean.

Repeat soaking and scrubbing on drawers as needed until all interior surfaces are spotless. Don’t forget the undersides too!

Deep Clean Drawer Slides and Rails

Drawer slides and rails need special attention since rolling parts quickly accumulate dirt and debris.

Scrub rails well with a toothbrush and vinegar solution while removed from the cabinet. Use an old toothbrush, cotton swabs or folded cloth to scrub inside the channels.

Follow up with a metal polishing cream or wax rubbed into each rail with a microfiber cloth. Buff until shiny and smooth.

For drawer slides still attached to drawers:

• Pull drawer completely out.
• Wipe down accessible slide surfaces with a cloth dampened with vinegar solution.
• Use a toothbrush, cotton swab or thin cloth to clean inside the slide channel.
• Spray degreaser onto a small scrub brush. Hold the bristles straight and gently scrub back and forth in the slide groove. The bristles will pick up dirt and debris inside.
• Buff slide surfaces with metal polishing cream just as the separate rails. This keeps the sliding motion smooth.

Proper cleaning of rails and slides prevents dirt buildup that can impede drawer motions over time.

Clean Hardware and Small Parts

While handles and other hardware are removed, take time to clean them.

Place knobs, handles, bolt caps and other small parts into the soapy water bin to soak. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away grime.

For stuck-on gunk, spray problem areas with vinegar solution and let sit before scrubbing.

Rinse all parts and dry thoroughly. Apply metal polish with a soft cloth and buff any metal hardware until shiny and bright.

Wipe down any plastic or wooden hardware with appropriate plastic or wood cleaner.

Reassemble Cabinet

Once all components are cleaned and dried, put the filing cabinet back together:

• Insert rails and replace plastic end caps.
• Screw handles, knobs and other hardware back in place.
• Return removable trays, shelves or dividers.
• Slide the drawers back onto the clean, freshly polished rails. Drawers should glide smoothly.
• Double check that any labels, stickers or tags are still in place on the drawers. Replace any that were removed.
• Move cabinet back into position.

Maintain a Clean Filing Cabinet

To keep your filing cabinet free of grime and dust long-term:

• Use desk pads or lining under the cabinet to protect the floor underneath from dirt and debris.
• Vacuum exterior surfaces and drawer interiors regularly using hose attachments.
• Keep cabinet doors and drawers closed when not in use so dust doesn’t accumulate inside.
• Clean up spills right away using gentle cleaners. Don’t let liquid seep under drawers.
• Every 1-2 years, do a thorough re-cleaning and polish all surfaces.

With proper supplies and techniques, even the dirtiest file cabinet can be restored to a like-new appearance. Proper cleaning also helps extend the life of a quality metal filing cabinet for years of service organizing vital records and documents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Metal Filing Cabinets

Cleaning a metal filing cabinet raises many common questions. Here are answers to some of the key topics around properly cleaning filing cabinets:

Should I remove rust spots before cleaning a metal filing cabinet?

Yes, removing rust first helps prevent spreading it around while cleaning. Use a rust removal product to get rid of rust spots before general cleaning. Soak rusty areas to loosen them, then scrub with steel wool, fine sandpaper or a wire brush before wiping away loosened flakes.

What is the best way to clean the rails and drawer slides?

Rails and slides get very dirty but also need gentle care. Soak greasy buildup with a degreaser before scrubbing. Use cotton swabs, toothbrushes or thin cloths to reach tight spaces. Finish by polishing rails and slide surfaces with a microfiber cloth and metal polish or wax for smooth gliding.

How can I get rid of grime buildup in hard-to-reach spots inside?

Use long-handled microfiber cloths, small scrub brushes, old toothbrushes, or cotton swabs dipped in cleaning solutions. The long handles provide extra reach, while the swabs and brushes can get into tight corners and crevices.

What is a safe cleaning solution for a metal filing cabinet?

A 50/50 mix of distilled white vinegar and water is effective yet gentle. For stubborn grease and grime, an all-purpose degreasing cleaner lightly applied also works well. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the metal finish.

How can I keep the filing cabinet clean long-term?

Use desk pads or rugs underneath to catch dirt and debris. Vacuum the cabinet interior periodically using hose attachments. Keep doors and drawers closed when not in use. Clean up spills quickly. Do an occasional thorough re-cleaning every year or two to keep grime from building up again.

How do I clean a metal filing cabinet with wood or plastic parts?

Use cleaners specifically made for woods or plastics on those sections. For wood, wipe with a soft cloth dampened with wood cleaner in the direction of the grain. For plastic, spray plastic surface cleaner and wipe clean. Keep liquids off of metal surfaces.

What supplies do I need to clean a file cabinet?

Microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, old toothbrushes, cotton swabs, degreaser, distilled white vinegar, dish soap, metal polish, plastic/wood cleaners if needed, small bags or boxes to hold parts, and clean water for rinsing. Basic cleaning supplies help tackle all areas.

Can I use a wire brush to scrub a filing cabinet?

Generally no – wire brushes are too harsh and can scratch metal surfaces, dulling the finish over time. Use plastic-bristle scrub brushes, old toothbrushes, or microfiber cloths for gentle scrubbing action instead.

Conclusion

Cleaning a metal filing cabinet from top to bottom takes a little time and elbow grease. But the results are well worth the effort.

Gather the proper supplies and systematically work through each section – exterior, interior, drawers, hardware and all.

Soak and scrub each area as needed to remove built-up grime. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Finish by polishing and buffing metal surfaces to restore shine and luster.

With regular care and maintenance, the filing cabinet will stay organized and neat for many years. No more dreading opening a dusty old file drawer!