How to Clean Metal Cabinets

Introduction

Cleaning metal cabinets can seem like a daunting task, but with the right techniques and products, you can get them looking like new again. Metal cabinets are durable and long-lasting, but over time they can accumulate dirt, grease, fingerprints, and other grime that can be difficult to remove.

Properly cleaning metal cabinets helps maintain their appearance and prevent corrosion. With some elbow grease and cleaning solutions specifically formulated for metal, you can have your metal cabinets sparkling. This guide will walk you through all the steps and best practices for cleaning metal cabinets inside and out.

Assess the Metal Cabinets

Before cleaning, take a close look at the current condition of the metal cabinets. Check for the following:

• Level of dirtiness – Are the cabinets lightly soiled or have heavy, built-up grime? This will determine what strength of cleaner you need.
• Type of metal – Most kitchen cabinets are stainless steel, but some may be aluminum, copper, or another metal. Use a cleaner safe for the specific metal type.
• Finish – Metal cabinets may have a smooth, brushed, or textured finish. A textured finish will require more scrubbing to get into grooves.
• Rust spots – Check if there are any rust spots starting so you can treat them promptly.
• Severity of grease – Kitchen cabinets often get covered in a greasy film. Assess how much needs to be tackled.
• Previous damage – Note any existing scratches, dents, or other damage that cleaning may exacerbate.

Thoroughly examining the metal cabinets before starting will help you customize the cleaning process for maximum effectiveness.

Remove Food and Items from Cabinets

Before any deep cleaning, you’ll want to empty out the contents of the cabinets completely. This includes:

• All food items
• Dishes
• Appliances
• Cookbooks and kitchen accessories
• Pot and pan lids

Removing everything from the shelves will allow you to access all surfaces during cleaning. Be sure to find temporary storage for the displaced items while the cabinets are being cleaned.

Once emptied, give the shelves a quick wipe down to remove food crumbs and spills. Then the real metal cabinet cleaning can begin!

Gather Supplies

Cleaning metal cabinets requires having the right supplies on hand. Here are some essentials:

Clean Cloths: Have an ample supply of clean cloths and towels. Microfiber cloths are ideal for cleaning metal as they are lint-free. You’ll also need a cloth for applying cleaners.

Gentle Cleanser: Look for a cleaner specifically formulated for metal. Avoid abrasive cleaners or anything acidic. Chrome cleaner works well for most metal cabinets.

Degreasing Cleaner: For grimy cabinets, you’ll need a stronger degreasing cleaner. Citrus or alkaline-based degreasers work on tough grease stains.

Old Toothbrush: A worn-out toothbrush is useful for scrubbing in crevices and corners.

Scrub Sponge: A soft sponge designated for scrubbing will help remove built-up dirt.

Rust Remover: If dealing with rust spots, pick up a rust remover product. Phosphoric acid-based removers work best.

Metal Polish/Protectant: For shining and sealing the metal after cleaning.

Furniture Polish: For polishing wood cabinet exteriors and doors.

Glass Cleaner: For cleaning any glass portions of cabinet doors.

Vacuum: To vacuum up crumbs and dirt from the cleaning process.

Having the right cleaning solutions and tools assembled will make the process much smoother.

Wash Cabinet Exteriors

Start by thoroughly cleaning the exterior surfaces of the metal cabinets from top to bottom. Pay attention to the handles, doors, and side panels.

Follow these steps:

1. Mix a gentle cleanser with warm water in a bucket based on label directions.
2. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and wring out excess water.
3. Wipe down all exterior metal surfaces with the damp cloth. Scrub any dirty spots and wipe in the direction of any brushed finish.
4. For wood cabinet doors and exteriors, use a wood-safe furniture polish and soft cloth. Avoid water-based cleaners.
5. Spray any glass cabinet doors or panels with glass cleaner and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
6. Return to metal areas and rub with a soft scrub sponge to remove stuck-on debris. Avoid abrasive scouring pads.
7. Rinse the clean cloth, wring it out, and wipe again to remove all cleaning solution.
8. Buff surfaces completely dry with a clean, soft towel.

Thoroughly washing the cabinet exteriors will get rid of dust, fingerprints, and surface dirt before you tackle the interiors.

Remove Cabinet Doors and Drawers

To fully access all the tight spaces, nooks, and crannies inside your cabinets, it’s best to detach the doors and remove the drawers.

To remove doors: Look along the hinge side of the cabinet frame. There should be a lever, switch, or tab. Flip the lever to release the hinge from the mounting plate attached to the door. Lift the door up and off the hinges.

To remove drawers: Extend the drawer as far out as possible. Look for small tabs on the metal drawer rails on either side. These tabs act as stops and need to be pressed down to allow the drawer to slide out. Press the tabs down and pull the drawer all the way out.

As you detach each door and drawer, set them aside in a safe place where they won’t get knocked or damaged. Propping them on a towel or blanket works well.

Clean Inside Cabinet Boxes

With the doors and drawers set aside, the open cabinet frames are accessible.

Here are tips for cleaning inside the cabinets:

• Use a handheld vacuum with a brush attachment to suck up all loose crumbs and dirt from the bottom and shelves.
• Mix up degreasing cleaner in warm water per the directions. Dip scrub sponges in the solution and scrub out sticky spills or greasy film.
• Use a toothbrush dipped in cleaner to get into hinges, corners, crevices and any engraved details.
• Rinse surfaces with a damp clean cloth to remove all cleaning solution reside.
• Check the upper interior of the cabinet box. Clean any dust and cobwebs with a cloth and crevice tool.
• Wipe shelves with a microfiber cloth and let fully dry before replacing items.

Getting the hard-to-reach spots inside the cabinet boxes will prevent grime from continuing to spread.

Remove Rust Spots

If you noticed any rust spots starting to form on the metal cabinets, now is the time to treat them. Here’s how:

• Lightly sand the rusted areas with 200 grit sandpaper. Just enough to expose bare metal.
• Wipe sanded spots clean with a damp cloth.
• Shake up the rust remover bottle and apply a thin coat directly to rusted areas only.
• Let it sit for the time indicated on the product label, usually 5-10 minutes.
• Scrub with a sponge or stiff brush while the solution is still wet.
• Rinse thoroughly and wipe completely dry with a clean cloth.
• Immediately apply metal polish or protectant so rust doesn’t redevelop.

Addressing rust buildup promptly keeps it from worsening and spreading.

Clean and Polish Metal Doors

The detached metal cabinet doors are best cleaned one-by-one. Follow this process:

• Spray the door surface liberally with degreasing cleaner. Use grease-cutting dish soap on really bad grease stains.
• Let the cleaner sit for 2-3 minutes so it can penetrate grime.
• Scrub all surfaces with a cleansing sponge or brush. Get into grooves and engraved details.
• Use a toothbrush dipped in cleaner to vigorously scrub handles and hinges.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a towel.
• Apply a protective metal polish with a soft cloth and buff to brighten.
• Hang doors back up once fully dry. Screw any detached hinges back into place first.

Taking doors off allows much easier cleaning access compared to wiping in place.

Clean and Polish Metal Drawers

The drawers will also need special attention:

• Remove any drawer liners to expose all metal surfaces.
• Follow same process as doors by spraying with cleaner, scrubbing with a brush, and drying fully.
• Use toothbrush to scrub runners, tracks, and any engraved fronts.
• Polish drawer fronts, sides, and handles with metal polish and buff.
• Replace drawer liners or lining paper. Or leave unlined for easy cleaning next time.
• Slide drawers back into place once polished. The cleaner tracks will ensure smooth gliding.

Like doors, drawers benefit from a thorough cleaning after removing them from the cabinets.

Clean Inside Glass Doors

Any glass cabinet doors will likely have streaks and smudges needing cleaning too.

• Spray glass cleaner directly onto the inside and outside glass surfaces.
• Wipe clean using a lint-free cloth or crumpled newspaper.
• Buff dry with a microfiber cloth. Avoid paper towels that can leave lint specks.
• For stuck gunk, allow glass cleaner to soak in for 2-3 minutes before wiping.

Clean glass allows contents of open cabinets to be seen clearly.

Condition and Protect Metal

As a final step after fully cleaning metal cabinets, apply a conditioning protectant. This seals and shines the metal surfaces.

• Use a product formulated for stainless steel, chrome, or applicable metal.
• Rub a thin coat into all exterior and interior metal surfaces using small circular motions.
• Buff off any excess with a clean, dry cloth.

The protection adds an invisible barrier to repel fingerprints, water spots, and food splatter. Reapply as needed per product instructions.

Maintain Cleanliness

To keep freshly cleaned metal cabinets looking pristine:

• Avoid leaning or pressing against cabinet doors with clothing that could transfer dirt and oils.
• Immediately wipe spills, grease splatters, or child handprints.
• Wash cabinet doors and handles weekly or biweekly with a mild cleaner.
• Use drawer liners and shelf liners to protect surfaces. Replace when visibly dirty.
• Remove all items from cabinets yearly to clean inside boxes and shelves.
• Re-apply metal protectant every few months for continued protection and sheen.

With regular maintenance cleaning, metal cabinets will maintain a like-new luster for years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Metal Cabinets

Cleaning metal kitchen cabinets can be challenging. Here are answers to some common questions on the topic:

How can I tell if my cabinets are made of real metal versus laminate?

Look closely for small indentations, visible seams, metal hinges/brackets, and magnetism. Laminate is smooth, seamless, uses plastic joiners and is non-magnetic.

What is the best cleaner for stainless steel cabinets?

Stainless steel cleaners or a mix of mild dish soap and water work best. Avoid abrasive cleaners or anything acidic that can erode the finish.

How do I clean greasy cabinets without damaging them?

Degreasing cleaners designed for metals are ideal for grease. Spray on, let sit 2-3 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush before rinsing.

Is there a homemade solution I can use to clean metal cabinets?

A mix of water, distilled white vinegar, and mild dish soap makes an effective DIY cleaner. The vinegar cuts grease while the soap gently lifts dirt.

How can I get rid of rust spots on my metal cabinets?

Use a rust remover product containing phosphoric or oxalic acid. Lightly sand before applying. Scrub and then rinse thoroughly after 5-10 minutes.

What is the best way to polish metal cabinets?

Use a metal polish cream with a microfiber cloth. Rub in circular motions. For super shiny results, buff polished areas with a soft cotton cloth.

How do I get rid of lots of little scratches on cabinets?

Try a scratch cover product formulated for metal finishes. It fills in and hides small scratches through colored wax fillers that blend with metal tones.

How can I clean the inside of glass cabinet doors?

Use a glass cleaner spray. For glossy results, newspaper or a microfiber cloth works best for wiping. Avoid paper towels that can leave lint.

What’s the easiest way to clean oak cabinet exteriors?

Use a wood furniture polish formulated for oak. Spray a light coat on cabinets and wipe gently with a soft cloth in direction of wood grain. Avoid excess moisture.

Conclusion

Cleaning dirty, greasy metal cabinets from top to bottom takes some elbow grease. But with the right cleaning solutions and proper technique, you can restore metal kitchen cabinets to a like-new shine.

Be sure to assess and address problem areas like rust spots early on. Remove doors and drawers to access all crevices. Use gentle, metal-formulated cleaners rather than anything abrasive or corrosive. Maintain the refreshed look with regular gentle cleaning.

With these steps, you can feel confident tackling a thorough metal cabinet cleaning. Just be patient and methodical, and you’ll achieve stunning results. Your cleaned metal cabinets will look fantastic and provide functional storage in your kitchen for many years to come.