How to Clean Metal Cabinet Door Handles

Cleaning metal cabinet door handles is an important part of maintaining any home. Over time, grease, dirt, and grime can build up on handles, making them unpleasant to touch and compromising their appearance. With some simple cleaning solutions and techniques, you can make your metal handles look like new again.

Why It’s Important to Clean Metal Handles

There are a few key reasons you’ll want to keep your metal cabinet handles clean:

• Improved appearance – Greasy, dirty handles look unsightly and detract from your cabinets’ overall look. Clean handles have a like-new shine.
• Hygiene – Germs, bacteria and dirt build up on handles over time. Regular cleaning helps prevent the spread of illness and infection.
• Easier to grip – Grease and grime can make handles slippery and difficult to grasp. Clean handles provide better grip and control when opening cabinets.
• Extend hardware lifespan – Regular cleaning protects the metal from corrosion, tarnish and wear, helping your handles last longer.

What You’ll Need

Cleaning metal cabinet handles doesn’t require much in the way of specialized products. Chances are you have everything you need already:

• Microfiber cloths – Great for wiping away grease, dirt and residue. Avoid abrasive cloths or paper towels.
• Dish soap – An effective grease-cutting cleaner safe for most cabinet hardware finishes. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners.
• Baking soda – Helps gently scrub away grime. Also useful for polishing metal surfaces.
• White vinegar – Removes dirt and disinfects. Helpful for tackling lime and calcium deposits.
• Rubbing alcohol – Disinfects and dries fast without streaking. Good for shining up handles.
• Toothbrush or other soft-bristle brush – For scrubbing in crevices and around edges.

Cleaning Techniques for Cabinet Handles

Follow these proven techniques to clean metal handles throughout your kitchen or bathrooms:

1. Remove Visible Grime

Before cleaning, brush away any dirt, crumbs or gunk visible on the surface using a dry towel or toothbrush. This prevents spreading messes further as you clean.

2. Make a Cleaning Solution

Mix a mild cleaner by combining a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle. For stuck-on grease, try bubbly ammonia or baking soda with water.

3. Spray and Wipe

Spray cleaner directly onto handles and let sit briefly. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the grime, rinsing the cloth as needed.

4. Scrub With a Brush

For grime in grooves or crevices, use an old toothbrush, nail brush or other small scrub brush. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.

5. Shine and Buff

Give metal handles extra shine by rubbing a small amount of olive oil, coconut oil or beeswax polish over the surface. Buff with a clean, dry cloth.

6. Disinfect Regularly

Disinfect handles periodically by spraying with diluted rubbing alcohol or white vinegar solution. Let sit before wiping dry with a clean cloth.

7. Address Splatter and Grease

For stubborn greasy splatters, rub handles with baking soda and just enough water to make a paste. Wipe clean when done scrubbing.

8. Prevent Water Spotting

After cleaning, thoroughly dry metal handles using a clean towel. Water spots can be buffed away with a microfiber cloth.

Tips for Ongoing Maintenance

With regular care and cleaning, your handles can stay looking neat and new:

• Wipe handles down daily or weekly to prevent heavy buildup.
• Clean spills right away to avoid stains and stickiness.
• Consider handle covers to protect surfaces between deep cleanings.
• For neglected handles, let cleaning solutions soak before scrubbing.
• Avoid abrasive scouring pads or powders, which can damage finishes.
• Re-seal any unfinished metal regularly with mineral oil to prevent corrosion.
• Replace loose handles that wiggle or are damaged beyond cleaning.
• For hands-free cleaning, place handles in a sealed plastic bag with ammonia.

With the right cleaning methods and some periodic maintenance, the metal handles throughout your home can maintain their good looks and last for years to come. Just be sure to use gentle cleaners and take care not to damage any protective finishes. Handsome hardware starts with keeping your handles hygienic, gunk-free and ready to grab!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Metal Cabinet Handles

How often should I clean metal cabinet handles?

It’s best to clean metal handles regularly, about once a week or so. High-traffic handles may need cleaning every couple of days. Also do a deep cleaning if handles look grimy or feel sticky.

What’s the safest way to clean antique or vintage handles?

Use mild dish soap and water only. Avoid abrasives or acidic cleaners that could damage the patina. Buff dry gently with a soft cloth. Waxing can help protect more delicate finishes.

Why do my cleaned metal handles leave streaks or water spots?

Make sure to thoroughly rinse and dry handles after cleaning. You may need to buff out any remaining moisture with a microfiber cloth. Avoid overly wet cloths that allow mineral deposits to form.

How can I clean around knobs or handles I can’t remove?

Use a toothbrush, cotton swabs or thin cleaning cloths to gently scrub the edges and undersides of fixed handles. Take care not to get cleaner or moisture into cabinet interiors.

Should I use different cleaners for brass, bronze or chrome?

Dish soap and water work well for most finishes. Avoid abrasives or harsh chemicals. For brass and bronze, use special polishing waxes to protect and shine. Chrome can be polished with rubbing alcohol.

What’s the quickest way to clean a lot of dirty handles?

The fastest method is to fill a plastic bag with ammonia-based cleaner and drop handles in to soak. Seal the bag and let sit overnight before removing handles to rinse and dry.

Why do my cleaned metal handles still look dull or cloudy?

Tarnish, mineral deposits or etching may have damaged protective finishes. Try re-sealing handles with mineral oil. For severe damage, handles may need re-plating or refinishing.

Is it safe to clean antique or painted handles with typical cleaning products?

Test cleaners in an inconspicuous spot first. Avoid ammonia or alcohol, which can damage old paint. Use mild dish soap and gently scrub with a soft brush to avoid harming the finish.

Should I avoid getting metal handles wet when cleaning?

It’s fine to get metal handles wet while cleaning. Just be sure to thoroughly dry them afterwards. Allowing moisture to air dry can lead to mineral deposits and spotting.

How can I make stainless steel handles shine like new?

Use a stainless steel cleaner or polish, or try a paste of baking soda and water. Buff handles using a microfiber cloth. Avoid chlorine-based cleaners which can damage stainless steel over time.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your metal cabinet handles regularly is a simple way to keep your kitchen or bath looking its best. Use mild cleaners and gentle scrubbing to avoid damaging the finish. Proper maintenance also helps hardware last longer. Just a little effort goes a long way toward handles that are hygienic, attractive and pleasant to use every day.