How to Clean Metal Cabinet Handles – The Ultimate Guide

Cleaning metal cabinet handles is an important part of keeping your kitchen and bathroom looking fresh. Over time, grease, dirt, and grime can build up on metal handles, leaving them looking dull, dirty, and unsightly. For a simple way to make your cabinets look brand new, consider thoroughly cleaning your handles. With the right techniques and cleaning solutions, you can remove years of gunk and restore the shine and luster to your metal cabinet hardware in no time.

Why It’s Important To Clean Metal Cabinet Handles

There are a few key reasons you’ll want to take the time to properly clean your metal cabinet hardware:

Improved Appearance

Regular cleaning keeps metal handles looking bright and shiny. It removes grease and dirt buildup that dulls the surface over time. Clean handles give your kitchen or bathroom an updated, fresh look.

Remove Germs

Kitchen and bathroom handles can harbor bacteria and germs. Thorough cleaning helps eliminate microbes that can spread illness.

Prolong Hardware Life

Allowing dirt, grease, and grime to build up can actually damage the surface of metal over time, wearing down the finish. Keeping handles clean preserves their finish and extends their lifespan.

Prevent Spreading Of Grime

Dirty handles spread grease and germs to your hands every time you touch them. Then your hands spread the grime elsewhere. Cleaning eliminates this unappealing cycle.

Improve Function

Some handle designs incorporate mechanisms like locks and latches. Allowing dirt and grime to build up can impede the function of these moving parts. Regular cleaning keeps them working smoothly.

Supplies Needed To Clean Metal Handles

Collecting the right cleaning supplies will make the process quick and efficient:

• Clean cloths or microfiber towels
• Dish soap or all-purpose cleaner
• Warm water
• Small scrub brush or toothbrush for grooves
• Disinfecting wipes or spray
• Glass cleaner
• Rubbing alcohol
• Protective gloves
• Small bowl or bucket
• Dry cloths or microfiber towels

How To Clean Metal Cabinet Handles

With the right supplies in hand, you’re ready to tackle your grimy metal handles. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove Gross Grime

Before scrubbing, you’ll want to remove built-up grease and large pieces of stuck-on food. This prevents them from spreading around as you clean. To remove large sticky pieces:

• Put on protective gloves to keep your hands clean.
• Use a dull knife or your fingernail to scrape off any chunks.
• Wipe away excess grease with a dry paper towel.
• Take care not to scratch the metal finish.

Step 2: Wash With Dish Soap

For most cabinet handles, a good dish soap or all-purpose cleaner works wonders for busting through grease and lifting away grime.

To clean with dish soap:

• Fill a small bowl or bucket with warm water and add a squirt of dish detergent.
• Dip a clean cloth or soft scrub brush in the solution.
• Scrub handles to work the soap over the surface.
• Use the brush to work soap into crevices and engraved designs.
• Rinse handles thoroughly with clean water on a fresh cloth to remove all soap residue.
• Dry completely with a clean towel.

The soap will cut through layers of greasy grime and leave your handles sparkling!

Step 3: Disinfect Germ Hotspots

On handles around your kitchen and bathroom, you’ll also want to kill germs that can spread sickness.

To disinfect:

• Spray handles thoroughly with disinfectant spray or wipes. Allow to sit for the time specified on the product label.
• Rub disinfectant over the surface to ensure full coverage.
• Let air dry or wipe with a clean cloth.

This important step eliminates bacteria and helps keep your family healthy!

Step 4: Remove Stubborn Buildup

If any grease or dirt still remains stuck on after washing, it’s time to bring in the big guns. These solutions help tackle stubborn buildup:

• Baking soda – Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub onto remaining gunk. Let sit 5 minutes before rinsing. Baking soda works wonders cutting through all kinds of grime!
• Vinegar – Similarly, full-strength white vinegar can dissolve sticky grease residue. Spray or wipe vinegar onto trouble spots. Let sit before wiping away.
• Alcohol – For tougher grease, try gently rubbing the area with rubbing alcohol using a soft cloth, taking care not to damage any decorative finishes on the hardware.
• Glass cleaner – Surprisingly, glass cleaner like Windex works well for dissolving grease and shining metal surfaces. Spray handles and let sit a minute before wiping away grime.

With a little elbow grease, these cleaners break down even the most stubborn stuck-on messes!

Step 5: Polish To Shine

Once fully cleaned, you may want to polish your handles to restore their luster and shine.

To polish metal cabinet hardware:

• Use a small amount of mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil on a soft cloth.
• Gently rub a thin coat of oil over handles in the direction of the grain.
• Buff away excess oil until the surface shines.
• Enjoy the restored beauty of your gleaming metal handles!

The oil helps seal in moisture and enhances the natural shine of the surface. Your handles look brand new!

Tips for Effective Metal Handle Cleaning

Follow these handy tips for the very best results cleaning your cabinet hardware:

• Clean handles regularly to prevent heavy buildup – a quick wipe down weekly helps prevent grime accumulation.
• Use soft cloths that won’t scratch delicate finishes. Microfiber cloths work wonderfully.
• Always scrub gently to avoid damaging the surface. Don’t use anything too abrasive.
• Make sure to thoroughly rinse away all soap with clean water before drying.
• If handles have a lacquered finish, test cleaners on small inconspicuous areas first to ensure compatibility.
• For engraved or detailed handles, use an old toothbrush to scrub into crevices.
• Avoid immersing wood-accented handles in water – clean with a damp cloth instead.
• Dry immediately after cleaning to prevent water spots.
• Buff with a dry soft cloth after polishing oils for maximum shine.
• Consider covering hardware during cooking or cleaning to prevent grimy splatter.

With this handy guide, you can easily keep your metal cabinet handles looking fabulous year after year. A little regular cleaning transforms dull, dirty hardware back to a gleaming finish. Keep your kitchen or bathroom looking freshly updated with clean handles reflecting beautiful shine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Metal Handles

Still have some questions about keeping metal cabinet hardware looking it’s best? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:

What’s the best way to clean brass handles?

For solid brass or brass-plated handles, never use abrasives or bleach products which can damage the finish. Use mild dish soap and warm water for routine cleaning. For polishing, use a specially formulated brass polish and a soft cloth.

How should I clean antique brass hardware?

Clean gently with mild soap and water to preserve the patina finish of real antique brass. Use a soft brush or toothpick to loosen grime in crevices. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives. Polish and buff gently with a soft cloth to restore shine.

What about oil-rubbed bronze handles?

The dark aged finish requires safe cleaners free of acids or bleach. Use only mild dish soap and soft cloths. To maintain the bronze look, apply a thin coat of lemon oil or mineral oil regularly using a soft cloth. Avoid steel wool or abrasives.

Can I clean wooden handles in the sink?

Wood surfaces shouldn’t soak in water. Instead, use a slightly damp cloth to wipe away grime. Make sure to immediately dry. For a deeper clean, use castile soap on a damp cloth. Buff with a soft dry cloth to restore luster.

Is there an easy daily cleaner for metal handles?

For quick daily upkeep, keep a spray bottle filled with glass cleaner near the kitchen and bathroom. Simply spritz handles and wipe down daily grime and fingerprints to maintain shine between deep cleanings.

How do I sanitize metal handles?

To kill germs, spray cabinet hardware thoroughly with an EPA-registered disinfectant or sanitizing wipes. Make sure to follow the product instructions to keep the surfaces wet for the time specified on the label. Let the disinfectant air dry for maximum results.

Can I use bleach or ammonia to clean metal handles?

Unless specified as safe for use on a particular metal finish, avoid bleach or ammonia which can damage many types of hardware finishes. Stick to gentler cleaners like dish soap, glass cleaner, or disinfecting sprays labeled safe for metals.

What about cleaning handles in outdoor kitchens?

For handles exposed to outdoor elements, use a mild degreaser and a toothbrush to scrub away grime since products like bleach or vinegar can react with metals and cause corrosion outdoors over time. Rinse and dry completely after cleaning.

How often should metal handles be cleaned?

For high-traffic kitchens and bathrooms, aim to deep clean handles at least monthly. For quick upkeep in between, wipe down daily or weekly to remove surface grime before it has a chance to build up heavily. Clean any splatters or grease immediately.

Restore The Shine To Your Metal Cabinet Hardware

Don’t live with dull, grungy metal cabinet handles any longer! With the right cleaning techniques and products, you can easily restore the beautiful shine of your kitchen and bathroom hardware.

Start by removing built-up grease and grime. Then use dish soap and warm water for an effective scrub down. Disinfect to kill germs and bacteria. Finally, polish with oil to restore luster and shine.

Keep handles clean with regular quick wipe downs for easier cleaning next time. With this handy guide, you have all the tips and solutions you need for sparkling metal cabinet handles that give your space a fresh updated look.

This is it for now. We hope that How to Clean Metal Cabinet Handles – The Ultimate Guide has provided extensive information and covered all aspects on how to clean metal cabinet handles correctly. Let us know if you have any other questions!