How to Clean Metal Kitchen Cabinet Handles

Keeping your kitchen clean should be a top priority, as it’s one of the most germ-ridden places in your home. Paying special attention to frequently touched surfaces like cabinet handles can help minimize the spread of bacteria and viruses. Learning how to properly clean metal kitchen cabinet handles is an easy way to help keep your family healthy.

Why It’s Important to Clean Handles

Kitchen cabinet handles are prime locations for germs to accumulate. Hands touch cabinet handles multiple times a day, leaving behind germs and oils. Things like raw meat juices, cooking splatters, and food debris also end up on handles. Leaving handles uncleaned allows harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to thrive.

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that kitchen handles contained the highest levels of bacteria compared to other household surfaces. Frequently cleaning handles is recommended to help control germs like Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter aerogenes.

Thoroughly cleaning handles helps remove germs, reducing your family’s risk of catching contagious illnesses like the stomach flu or food poisoning. It also helps keep your kitchen looking nice by removing grease buildup and water spots.

Supplies Needed

Cleaning metal cabinet handles doesn’t require fancy tools or strong chemicals. Simple ingredients like dish soap, water, vinegar, baking soda, and microfiber cloths are very effective. Here’s a list of recommended supplies:

• Dish soap or all-purpose cleaner
• Water
• White vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Baking soda
• Clean microfiber cloths
• Small scrub brush or old toothbrush
• Small bowl for mixing solutions
• Soft cotton cloths or paper towels for drying

Choose a gentle dish soap or mild all-purpose cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals that can strip finishes or damage handles. Have plenty of clean cloths and soft towels on hand. A small scrub brush helps reach crevices on ornate handles.

How to Clean Different Types of Metal

Metal handles come in various finishes like stainless steel, chrome, brass, bronze, nickel, and copper. It’s important to use the proper cleaning method for your specific hardware. Misusing cleaners can damage protective finishes. Here are tips for cleaning common metal handle finishes:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to sanitize. Clean with a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. For stubborn spots, use a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner. Avoid steel wool pads or abrasive cleansers that can scratch the surface.

Chrome

Chrome has a shiny, mirrored surface. Gently wipe with a damp soapy cloth, then rinse and dry. Wash carefully to avoid water spots. Use a glass cleaner for added sparkle. Don’t use abrasive cleaners or scrub pads.

Brass

Brass has a classic warm gold tone but is prone to tarnishing. Use a brass cleaner and polisher made specifically for treating brass hardware. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach that can damage the finish.

Bronze

Bronze develops a living patina over time. Gently clean with mild dish soap and water. Rinse and dry immediately to prevent water stains. Use brass cleaner occasionally to restore the luster. Avoid abrasives that remove the patina.

Nickel

Nickel resists tarnishing and corrosion. Clean with dish soap and water, dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. For stubborn dirt, use a non-abrasive cleaner made for nickel. Don’t use vinegar, ammonia, bleach or abrasives.

Copper

Copper develops a unique patina over time. Use mild dish soap and water and dry immediately. For heavy oxidation, use a copper cleaner to gently restore the surface. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Routine Cleaning Tips

Regularly cleaning handles prevents heavy buildup that’s harder to remove. Follow these tips for quick and easy routine cleanings:

• Clean handles at least once a week or more frequently if handles appear dirty.
• Use a soft microfiber cloth dampened with warm water and mild dish soap.
• Wipe down all surfaces of handles, including the fronts, sides, and any grooves or engravings.
• Rinse handles with clean water and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
• Buff handles occasionally with a dry microfiber cloth to maintain shine.
• For stainless steel, rub in the direction of the grain lines for best results.
• Change dish cloths frequently to avoid spreading germs.
• Consider wiping handles down with a disinfectant occasionally for extra germ removal.

Developing a quick weekly cleaning routine keeps handles looking nice in between deeper cleanings.

Deep Cleaning Tips

Over time, grease, hard water deposits, and soap scum can build up on metal surfaces. Follow these tips for a more thorough deep clean:

Remove Grease Buildup

• Mix 2 tablespoons dish soap with 2 cups warm water.
• Dip a small scrub brush or toothbrush in the solution.
• Gently scrub affected areas using a back-and-forth motion.
• Rinse handles thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

Eliminate Hard Water Stains

• Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and water.
• Rub the paste onto stains using a damp cloth or sponge.
• Let paste sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
• For stubborn stains, use white vinegar full-strength.
• Rinse and dry handles thoroughly after cleaning.

Remove Soap Scum

• Make a solution of 2 parts water to 1 part white vinegar.
• Spray or wipe the vinegar solution onto affected areas.
• Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing.
• Dry handles well with a lint-free cloth.
• For tough soap scum, let the vinegar solution sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

Be patient during deep cleanings. Repeated applications and longer dwell times help break down stubborn grime.

Maintaining Shiny Finishes

Metal finishes can lose their luster over time, especially with heavy use. Here are tips for maintaining brilliant shine:

• Occasionally polish chrome, nickel, stainless steel, and silver handles with a dry microfiber cloth. Rub in the direction of any grain lines.
• Use a polishing oil made for stainless steel to protect the finish from fingerprints and water spots. Avoid oiling brass or bronze to maintain patinas.
• For tarnished brass or copper, use a brass/copper cleaner and polisher monthly. Rub gently in the direction of lines for best results.
• Rinse handles well after using brass/copper cleaner to prevent transfer to hands.
• Avoid cooking grease splatters by keeping handles clean. Grease can remove protective finishes if left to sit.

With regular gentle cleaning and occasional polishing, metal finishes will maintain their beautiful luster for years. Avoid abrasives that strip away protective coatings.

Cleaning Ornate Hardware

Ornate handles with engraved, hammered, or textured detailing require some extra care when cleaning. Follow these tips for intricate hardware:

• Inspect handles closely and use a soft brush to gently loosen dirt trapped in crevices.
• Clean one section at a time, making sure to dissolve all dirt and grease before moving on.
• Use cotton swabs dipped in cleaning solution to scrub tight corners and grooves.
• Rinse handles thoroughly after cleaning to remove all debris and cleaning solutions.
• Dry ornamental handles well after rinsing, using a hair dryer on a cool setting to remove moisture from crevices.
• Avoid abrasive scrub sponges and cleaners that can damage the metalwork.

Patiently cleaning intricate detailing prevents grime from becoming impacted. Take your time to fully clean every nook and cranny.

Cleaning Antique Hardware

Antique cabinet hardware requires very gentle cleaning methods. Follow these tips for cleaning vintage handles:

• Wipe down with a soft cloth dampened with a mild dish soap and water solution. Avoid abrasives.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to lightly clean engraved detailing.
• For tarnished silverplate, gently rub with a silver polish paste using a soft cloth.
• Carefully rub brass or copper with a brass/copper polish and rinse thoroughly.
• Pat patinas dry instead of rubbing to avoid patina removal.
• Test cleaners in inconspicuous areas first to check for possible damage.

Take great care not to harm fragile antique finishes while cleaning. Avoid vigorous scrubbing or rubbing.

Cleaning Around Handles

Don’t forget to clean the areas surrounding handles for a complete job. Follow these tips:

• Use a small vacuum crevice tool to vacuum around the handle base and any door gaps. This removes crumbs and dust.
• Dampen a cloth to wipe down the door or drawer front around the handle.
• Use cotton swabs dipped in cleaning solution to scrub where handle stems meet the door.
• For glass cabinet doors, clean the glass using a glass cleaner and lint-free cloth. Avoid spraying cleaner directly on handles.
• If handles are removable, take them off occasionally to fully clean handle holes and the surrounding cabinet surface.

Thoroughly cleaning Cabinet fronts, doors, and surrounding areas helps handles stay cleaner longer.

How to Sanitize Handles

Sanitizing kitchen handles helps kill germs for better hygiene. Here are ways to sanitize metal kitchen handles:

• Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 tablespoon bleach into 1 quart of water.
• Dip a clean cloth into the solution and wipe down handles.
• Let solution sit on handles briefly before rinsing thoroughly.
• Use rubbing alcohol full-strength for quick sanitizing between regular cleanings.
• Allow handles to fully air dry after sanitizing. Bleach and alcohol can damage some metal finishes if left wet.

Sanitize handles at least once weekly or more frequently when illness is present in the home. This helps minimize the spread of bacteria and viruses.

How Often to Clean Kitchen Handles

Kitchen handles should be cleaned regularly for optimal hygiene. Follow these handle cleaning frequency recommendations:

• Wipe down handles with a quick soapy water cleaning daily or every other day. This takes just seconds and removes surface dirt.
• Do a thorough cleaning using the methods above once a week. Weekly cleanings prevent heavy buildup.
• Deep clean handles every 2-3 months using a grease-cutting degreaser and scrub brush. This removes embedded grime.
• Disinfect handles with a sanitizing solution weekly or more frequently when someone is sick. This helps kill illness-causing germs.
• Polish metal finishes quarterly to maintain shine and protection.

Frequently touched handles accumulate germs quickly, so cleaning them often is key. Adjust cleaning schedules based on handle usage levels in your home.

Alternative Cleaning Solutions

Green, eco-friendly cleaning solutions are effective options for cleaning metal handles. Some choices include:

• Baking soda – Creates a gentle scouring paste. Helps remove tarnish from silver.
• Lemon juice – Removes grime and provides natural acidity for cleaning. Rinse thoroughly.
• White vinegar – Cuts through grease, water spots, and soap scum. Avoid on antique brass.
• Hydrogen peroxide – Sanitizing properties to help kill germs. Avoid on copper which can oxidize.
• Olive oil – Polishes and adds protection to stainless steel. Avoid on brass or bronze patinas.
• Club soda – Bubbles help remove tarnish from brass and copper. Rinse thoroughly.

Always spot test natural cleaners first to check for possible damage to finishes. Rinse completely after cleaning.

Avoid These Mistakes

Some common cleaning mistakes can damage metal kitchen cabinet handles. Avoid these errors:

• Using abrasive scrub sponges or steel wool pads that scratch finishes. Stick to soft microfiber cloths.
• Applying bleach, vinegar, citrus, or alcohol to antique finishes. These can strip patinas.
• Rubbing brass handles vigorously which can remove the patina. Use gentle pressure.
• Allowing spills or grease to sit on handles. Wipe up messes quickly to avoid stains.
• Forgetting to clean handle backs, sides, and base areas. Clean all handle surfaces.
• Using oven cleaner or other harsh caustics near handles. These can cause corrosion and pitting.
• Letting moisture or cleaners sit on handles. Always rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning.

A little care goes a long way in maintaining the beauty of metal cabinet hardware. Avoid using products or methods that damage the finish.

Signs Handles Need Replacement

With regular gentle cleaning, most quality metal handles will last for years. Some signs that kitchen cabinet handles need replacement include:

• Rust or corrosion forming that can’t be removed
• Deep scratches, pits, or gouges in the finish
• Loose, wiggly handles that no longer stay securely attached
• Cracked, peeling, or flaking surface coatings
• Tarnishing or cloudiness that can’t be polished away
• Loose or missing pieces on ornamental handles
• Handles that are very tarnished or damaged beyond repair

Replacing handles can give kitchen cabinets a brand new look. Order replacement handles from the cabinet manufacturer to match existing handles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to clean brass handles?

Use a gentle cleaner and polisher made specifically for cleaning brass. Avoid abrasives. Rub gently in the direction of grain lines. Thoroughly rinse cleaner from handles to avoid transfer to hands.

How can I make stainless steel handles shiny again?

Use a stainless steel cleaner and polisher to gently remove water spots and surface dullness. Buff handles frequently with a dry microfiber cloth to maintain luster. Always rub in direction of grain. Avoid abrasive pads.

What should I use to clean antique bronze cabinet handles?

Clean antique bronze very gently using only mild dish soap, water, and soft cloths. Avoid anything abrasive. Use an old toothbrush to lightly clean engraved areas. Dry thoroughly after cleaning to preserve the patina.

How do I sanitize kitchen handles?

Mix 1 tablespoon regular bleach into 1 quart water to make a sanitizing solution. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and wipe down handles. Allow the solution to briefly sit before rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Handles can also be sanitized using rubbing alcohol.

Why do my stainless steel handles keep getting water spots?

Hard water can leave mineral deposits behind causing spotting on stainless steel. Try cleaning with a paste of baking soda and water. Provide thorough rinsing and immediate drying after cleaning to help prevent water spots from forming.

Conclusion

Regularly cleaning kitchen cabinet hardware should be part of your routine cleaning schedule. Metal handles harbor bacteria and easily show dirt and smudges. Take a few minutes each week to wipe handles down, removing grime before it has a chance to build up. Adjust cleaning frequency based on handle usage. Use the proper cleaning methods for your handle finish to avoid damage. With regular care, your beautiful cabinet hardware will stay looking its best for many years, helping provide a hygienic, welcoming kitchen space for your family.