For some people, kitchen cabinets are murky enchanted labyrinths where everything gets lost. For others, it is the realm of order and purposefulness. The difference between these two categories of kitchen owners is probably in how long ago they gave their kitchen cabinets a thorough cleanup. The kitchen is one of the toughest-to-clean areas in your home. But at the same time, it is probably the place where cleaning efforts are the most rewarding, both in terms of aesthetics and safety. After all, you spend lots of time as a family and consume food there. These cleaning and organizing hacks from a Manhattan maid service will help you make your kitchen cabinets and drawers your point of pride. 

Smart organizing tips for cabinets and drawers

Organizing kitchen utilities is no rocket science. Cleaners from a maid service NYC  recommend approaching it in three simple steps:

• Group kitchen items by type/purpose
• Store them in a place of use
• Put away everything you don’t use

The main problem with many kitchens is that items are in the wrong places. To help them return where they belong, firstly, take everything out of your kitchen cabinets and drawers and place all the stuff on a table (or a countertop). Decide what you leave (either based on your affection for this item or its usefulness) and what should abandon your kitchen forever (be recycled or donated). While decluttering, consider storing rarely-used items elsewhere (think of the attic, garage, basement, closets, etc.) to save space in cabinets and restore their neat look. 

Now group your kitchen items according to their purpose (or area of use). For example, items for washing should be arranged near the sink while knives and cutting boards should be kept near where you prep food. Such a simple classification will help you to put these things in the right places after CLEANING.

Cleaning hacks for cabinets and drawers - for all kinds of materials   

Now that the cabinets are empty, it’s high time for a deep clean. Over time, vertical kitchen surfaces (which we usually forget to dust) get covered with a sticky residue made of oil particles mixed with dust. So regular cleanings don’t make the situation any better, and more elbow grease is required to deep clean your cabinets. Or, as an option, you can always go with deep cleaning services NYC and never bother with intense cleaning. 

To cut through stubborn dirt, we intuitively resort to aggressive commercial cleaners. However, it is a big mistake to use abrasive or harsh, chemicals-loaded supplies on cabinets and drawers since they can leave scratches or tarnish the finish. Here is how to take care of kitchen furniture based on its material. 

Wood

When it comes to cleaning wood, oil soaps are the best. They perfectly cut through grease, don’t harm the finish, and even help form a protective layer that traps the dust. If the wood finish is intact, you can also clean wooden cabinets with warm soapy water or a solution of white vinegar (1 cup) and hot water (2 cups). Go with undiluted white vinegar for stubborn spots. Never use steam cleaners on wood and avoid placing appliances that release steam under wooden cabinets since direct streams of steam destroy the polish. Applying wax paste once in six months will help your kitchen furniture retain its glowing beauty for years.

Glass

Grease and daily mess can be easily cleaned from glass cabinet/cupboard doors using warm water and dish soap (with rinsing with clean water in the end) or a hand-made glass cleaner (1 mix vinegar and water in 1:1 ratio). This vinegar-based cleaner doesn’t harm the wood frame polish, unlike regular commercial window/glass cleaners. However, if you decide to go with the latter, instead of spraying it directly on a cabinet door, apply it on a cloth or paper towel and then wipe it carefully. 

Painted surfaces

With painted cabinets, your cleaning options will depend on the type of paint used. Oil paints are durable and easy to clean as they tolerate hot water, dish detergent, vinegar, and even mild brush scrubbing. Chalk/milk paints are porous and, thus, more demanding in care. If you are sure the paint was sealed properly (using milk paint wax or other sealing products), you can carefully wash the surface with a microfiber cloth soaked in warm soapy water. Naturally, using harsh brushes or abrasive cleaners on painted cabinets is off-limits.

Metal

Painted metal cabinets are cleaned just like any other painted furniture. The only difference is you can apply car wax after cleaning to achieve a gorgeous shine. Just remember not to use it directly on shelves where you are going to store food. To clean stainless steel cabinets, you can use specially developed cleaning supplies or wash them with harmless warm soapy water and then wipe them with rubbing alcohol to add a stunning glow. Do not try to scrub off stuck food with a scour pad because it can leave scratches. Instead, let the mess soak and then wipe it away effortlessly.