Updated on June 6, 2024
Day 8: Clean Cabinets and Drawers. In just 31 days, get your home in tip-top shape. Today’s task is to clean the kitchen cabinets and drawers.
Welcome to day 8 of the 31 Days of Deep Cleaning Your Home series!
Clean Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers
Today’s task is to clean your cabinets and drawers. Did you do your homework from yesterday? It will make today’s task much easier.
We will work on one cabinet and possibly one shelf at a time. Do not pull everything out of all your cabinets!
Only pull out what you know you will be able to put back today. The only time you should empty more than one cabinet is if you are going to move things around. This is where yesterday’s planning comes in.
Remove Everything
The first step is to remove everything from your cabinet, shelf, or drawer.
Wash Removeable Liners
I use the removable shelf liners. I like these because I can pull them out and clean them.
If you don’t have removable ones, you can skip this step. If you have wanted to add contact paper or shelf liners to your kitchen, now is the time to do it after your shelves are all clean!
I take mine out and wash them in the sink.
Clean Inside Cabinet or Drawer
Vacuum out any crumbs or loose dirt.
Next, spray your cabinet shelf or drawer with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe it out with a microfiber cloth. I use half vinegar and water to clean out my cabinets or soapy water, but any all-purpose cleaner will do.
RELATED: How to Create a Cleaning Caddy
However, no matter what cleaner you choose, test a small area first to ensure it will not harm your cabinet.
If you are working on drawers, I have found it helpful to remove the drawer to get it clean.
Place Everything Back
If you have removable shelf liners, put them back in place after they are dry.
Return all the items to your cabinet or drawer.
Clean Outside
Now, we are going to work on the outside. Start by cleaning the top of your cabinets.
Mine doesn’t look dirty, but as the rag shows, it was quite dusty. It can also be a bit greasy, so you might have to use a degreaser to clean it completely.
Next, clean the outside of your cabinets and drawers.
I use Murphy’s Oil Soap on my wood cabinets. Use an all-purpose cleaner or warm, soapy water if you have painted cabinets. But test a small area first.
Don’t forget to clean the edge behind your cabinet doors and the sides of your cabinets. Now is also a good time to disinfect the handles of your cabinets and drawers.
Focus on the dirtiest cabinets or drawers if you feel overwhelmed or lack time to devote to this task today. And remember, something is better than nothing!
This post is part of the 31 Days of Deep Cleaning Your Home series. In just 31 days, you can get your home in tip-top shape.
This series includes deep cleaning lists, tips and tricks, ideas, and how-tos.
You may also like:
Nancy says
Today I face my demons. We moved into our house 18 months ago. At the time I was 7.5 months prego with our 5th (no steps stools for me). The house had been empty for almost a year and to make matters worse, the previous owners were from a culture that fried lots of foods. The layer of greasy grime on top of my cupboards is something I DREAD cleaning. It is seriously bad. I have pretended/ignored it long enough. Today is the day… unless it isn’t ;).
Nancy says
Well I did it! It took a lot of elbow grease and a lot of Dawn, but I am happy to report that the top of my cabinets are done! Thanks for the challenge!