How to Clean Grime Off Metal Cabinet Handles

Introduction

Metal cabinet handles can quickly accumulate grime and dirt from everyday use. Greasy fingerprints, food splatters, dust, and general grossness can make your handles look dirty and dingy. While it may seem difficult to remove all that built-up gunk, it’s easier than you think with the right cleaning methods and products.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share tips and techniques for how to clean grime off metal cabinet handles and restore them to a like-new shine. With a little elbow grease and cleaning know-how, you can easily remove sticky residue, dirt, oils, and more from your hardware. We’ll cover effective DIY solutions using ingredients you likely have at home already. We’ll also recommend the best commercial cleaners and tools to get the job done quickly.

By the end of this guide, your metal hardware will look brand new again! Let’s get started on revitalizing those grimy handles.

Supplies You’ll Need

Before tackling dirty metal handles, gather the proper cleaning supplies. Having the right tools and products at your disposal will make the cleaning process faster and more effective. Here are some recommended supplies to have on hand:

• Microfiber cloths – Soft microfiber cloths are perfect for buffing and polishing metal. They easily capture dirt without leaving behind lint.
• Old toothbrush – An old toothbrush is ideal for scrubbing in crevices and grooves in detailed handle designs.
• Dish soap – A mild dish soap diluted with warm water can effectively break down oils and greasy gunk.
• Baking soda – The abrasive texture of baking soda loosens stuck-on grime when made into a paste.
• White vinegar – The acidity in vinegar cuts through alkaline mineral deposits like soap scum.
• Rubbing alcohol – High-proof isopropyl alcohol dissolves residue and kills germs.
• Stainless steel cleaner – Specialty cleaners formulated for stainless steel or metal remove tarnish and polish.
• Microfiber towel – A lint-free microfiber towel absorbs cleaning solution without leaving streaks.
• Soft-bristled brush – For scrubbing textured handles, use a gentle brush to lift grime from grooves.
• Gloves – Rubber gloves keep your hands protected during heavy-duty cleaning.

Cleaning Methods

When learning how to clean grime off metal cabinet handles, you have several effective cleaning methods and solutions to choose from. Here are some of the best techniques:

Dish Soap and Warm Water

One of the simplest ways to clean metal handles is with warm water and mild dish soap. Here’s how:

1. Fill a bowl or sink with warm water. Add a small squirt of liquid dish soap.
2. Dip a soft microfiber cloth into the soapy water. Thoroughly wet the cloth.
3. Gently scrub handles to loosen stuck-on oils, fingerprints, and other grime.
4. Dip cloth back into the water intermittently to keep it warm and sudsy.
5. Scrub crevices with an old toothbrush if needed.
6. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

The surfactants in dish soap lift away grease while the warm water softens dried residue. For stuck-on grime, let the handles soak for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing.

Baking Soda Paste

For a more abrasive DIY cleaner, make a paste with baking soda and water. Here’s how:

1. In a small bowl, mix together baking soda and water to form a spreadable paste.
2. Using fingers or a soft-bristled brush, apply the paste to handles.
3. Gently scrub the paste over handles, concentrating on stained or dingy areas.
4. Let paste sit for 5 minutes to allow baking soda to break down grime.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

The fine grit of baking soda scrubs away tough gunk like splattered food, soap scum, or mud. Rinsing is key to remove any baking soda residue.

Vinegar Solution

Vinegar’s acidic properties help dissolve mineral deposits, water spots, soap scum, and hard water stains. Make a cleansing vinegar solution with:

• 1 part white vinegar
• 1 part warm water

Apply the solution to handles with a cloth and scrub. Let sit briefly before a final rinse. The vinegar smell will fade as it dries.

Rubbing Alcohol

For an all-purpose cleaner that sanitizes, use rubbing alcohol.

1. Saturate a microfiber cloth with high-proof isopropyl alcohol.
2. Wipe down handles to disinfect and remove oils, sticky residues, paint splatters, and other grime.
3. Follow up with a clean water rinse and dry cloth to remove any alcohol residue.

The high alcohol content in rubbing alcohol cuts through all types of grease and grime. It kills germs in the process, making it ideal for cleaning high-touch handles.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

For metal handles, reach for a specialty stainless steel cleaner formulated for metal polishing. Popular products contain ingredients like:

• Oxalic or phosphoric acid to remove rust and tarnish
• Detergents to lift oil and dirt
• Anti-static compounds that resist fingerprints

Spray cleaner directly onto handles or apply with a damp cloth. Rub in the direction of the grain to clean and shine. Rinse and dry with a clean, soft towel.

Scrub with a Magic Eraser

Magic erasers work wonders on all kinds of household grime, including dirty metal handles. Their highly porous material breaks down grease, oils, soap scum, and tarnish as you rub. Dampen a magic eraser and scrub handles in a circular motion. Finish by wiping any eraser residue away with a damp cloth.

Getting Into Grooves and Crevices

Ornate handles with deep crevices or grooved designs require some extra attention when cleaning. Get into these hard-to-reach areas with:

• Old toothbrush – Gently scrubbing with a toothbrush loosens debris from ridges and grooves.
• Cotton swabs – The tapered tip on cotton swabs fits easily into thin crevices.
• Compressed air – Use short bursts of compressed air to dislodge dust and dirt from tight spaces.
• Steel wool – For stubborn gunk in crevices, gently rub 0000 super fine steel wool over the area.
• Toothpicks – Run a toothpick carefully along very thin grooves to scrape out grime.

Take your time when cleaning crevices. Repeatedly dip tools into your cleaning solution to prevent just spreading the dirt around.

Best Practices

Follow these best practices when cleaning metal cabinet hardware:

• Test cleaners in inconspicuous spots first to check for any damage to the finish.
• Rub gently to avoid scratching. Don’t use abrasive scouring pads.
• Always scrub in the direction of the metal grain.
• For tarnished antique finishes, use mild cleaners and gently hand polish.
• Use a multi-step process for heavier soiling, starting with a degreaser before disinfecting.
• Change out cleaning cloths frequently to prevent redepositing grime back on handles.
• Rinse handles thoroughly after cleaning to remove any soapy residue.
• Dry immediately with a soft cloth to prevent spots and streaks.
• For exterior handles, clean and reseal regularly to prevent future buildup.
• Consider covering frequently used handles to protect the finish.

Cleaning Metal Handle Materials

Metal handles come in many different materials, including stainless steel, nickel, brass, and bronze. Use these tips specific to each metal type:

Stainless Steel Handles

• Use a stainless steel cleaner and polish made for high-chrome stainless steel.
• Rub gently in the direction of the brushed grain.
• Avoid bleach-based cleaners which can damage the protective chromium oxide layer.

Nickel Handles

• Rub gently with a soft cloth and mild dish soap and water.
• Rinse and dry immediately after to avoid water spots.
• Avoid abrasive scrubbers which can scratch the finish.

Brass Handles

• Clean with a mild soap and water solution.
• Use a brass polish to gently remove tarnish and restore luster.
• For antique finishes, use care when polishing to maintain the patina.

Bronze Handles

• Use mild dish soap and water and avoid abrasive cleaners.
• Apply metal wax occasionally to protect the finish.
• Consider a professional restoration if discoloration occurs.

Cleaning Interior vs. Exterior Handles

Interior and exterior metal handles require slightly different cleaning approaches:

Interior Metal Handles:

• Prone to fingerprints, grease, food residues, and hand oils.
• Clean regularly with a degreasing cleanser like dish soap.
• Disinfect periodically by wiping down with rubbing alcohol.
• Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch.
• Use gentle circular motions when scrubbing.

Exterior Metal Handles:

• Exposed to dirt, mud rain, extreme heat and cold.
• Buildup can occur from leaves, pollen, bird droppings, spiderwebs, etc.
• Use a hose or pressure washer first to remove loose debris.
• Clean and apply car wax or sealants to protect the finish from elements.
• Lubricate squeaky handles with silicone spray.
• Check for damage hidden under dirt buildup.

Removing Specific Grime Types

Metal handles attract specific types of dirt and residues. Use these tactics to remove:

Hard Water Stains

• Scrub with a paste of baking soda and water.
• Spray with full-strength white vinegar and let sit before rinsing.
• Use a cleaner with phosphoric acid for severe mineral buildup.

Rust

• Remove minor surface rust with vinegar or a stainless steel cleaner.
• For heavier rusting, use naval jelly or other rust removers.
• Repaint handles with a metal enamel paint if rust persists.

Soap Scum

• Apply a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water and scrub with a soft brush.
• Use rubbing alcohol or ammonia-based cleaner for heavier buildup.

Tarnish

• Clean brass handles with a brass polishing paste.
• Remove copper oxidation with lemon and salt or a copper cleaner.
• Use aluminum foil and baking soda to polish silver.

Paint Splatter

• Allow paint to fully dry first before attempting to remove.
• Gently scrape off paint flakes with a plastic putty knife. Avoid metal scrapers.
• Rub carefully with rubbing alcohol or acetone nail polish remover.

Grease and Oils

• Mix baking soda and dish soap into a scrubbing paste.
• Clean with an orange oil based degreaser.
• For heavy grease, spray with a foaming oven cleaner before wiping.

Grime and Gunk

• Make a DIY paste from baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide.
• Use an all-purpose cleaner like Lysol Bathroom Cleaner.
• Spray exterior grime with a pressure washer.

Maintaining Clean Handles

Prevention is the best way to keep metal handles free of grime between deep cleanings. Try these preventative maintenance tips:

• Wipe down high-touch handles frequently with a microfiber cloth.
• Apply a protectant wax to minimize fingerprints.
• Install handle covers on exterior doors and kitchen drawers.
• Limit exposure to moisture that promotes tarnishing.
• Avoid grasping handles with wet hands.
• Install humidity-controlling fixtures near handles prone to water condensation.
• Keep handles free of standing water after cleaning.
• Seal any cracks in handles where grime can build up.
• Replace severely damaged handles that can’t be restored.

When to Call a Professional

In some cases, considerable tarnishing, rusting, or damage may require professional refinishing to restore metal handles. Seek professional help for:

• Deeply pitted or corroded handles that require sanding.
• Extensive tarnishing that requires a potent chemical stripper to remove.
• Handles where the base metal is exposed requiring replating.
• Severely damaged antique or custom hardware.
• Full restoration services like polishing, repairing, and lacquering.

Professionals have specialty tools and metalworking expertise to properly strip, polish, plate, seal, and protect your handles.

Conclusion

With this guide, you should feel empowered to tackle all types of grime on metal cabinet hardware. Whether your handles just need a quick cleaning or a full restoration, use the cleaning methods and tips provided to remove grease, paint, soap scum, tarnish, rust, and other sticky residues.

The key is using the right tools and cleaners for each grime type. Test products first on inconspicuous spots and scrub gently in the direction of the metal grain. Maintain freshly cleaned handles with preventative measures like handle covers and moisture control.

Finally, don’t be afraid to call in a professional if the grime proves too difficult to combat on your own. With these tips, you can keep your metal handles in like-new condition for years to come.