A set of quality kitchen cabinets, whether custom, semi-custom, or stock, is a significant investment. And like any investment, how you maintain it determines how long it lasts and how good it looks over time. The good news is that caring for wood kitchen cabinets doesn’t require much effort. A few simple habits and the right products go a long way toward keeping your cabinets looking fresh for 20 to 30 years or more.
This guide covers routine cleaning, dealing with common problems, and preventive care for both painted and stained wood cabinet finishes.
Key Takeaways
- For daily cleaning, a soft cloth with warm water and mild dish soap is all you need for both painted and stained cabinets.
- Always wipe in the direction of the wood grain when cleaning stained cabinets.
- Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, and bleach-based products, which can damage the finish.
- The areas around the stove, sink, and dishwasher take the most abuse. Wipe these zones regularly to prevent grease and moisture buildup.
- Address spills and splatters promptly. Most damage happens when substances are left sitting on the finish.
Routine Cleaning: What to Do Weekly
Most kitchen cabinets only need a gentle wipe-down once a week, with spot cleaning as needed between sessions. The process is the same for both painted and stained finishes.
What to use: A soft, lint-free cloth (microfiber works best) dampened with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Wring the cloth thoroughly so it’s damp, not dripping.
How to clean: Wipe the cabinet surfaces gently, working in the direction of the wood grain on stained cabinets. For painted cabinets, any direction is fine. Pay extra attention to the areas around handles and pulls, where oils from your hands accumulate over time.
Drying: Follow up with a dry, soft cloth to remove any residual moisture. This step is important. Standing water, even in small amounts, can damage the finish over time, especially on stained cabinets where the topcoat may be thinner.
Tackling Grease Buildup
The cabinets closest to your stove are magnets for aerosolized cooking grease. Over months, this grease forms a tacky film that dulls the finish and attracts dust. If your cabinets feel slightly sticky near the range, it’s grease buildup, and regular water won’t cut through it.
For light grease: Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to your warm water and dish soap mixture. The mild acidity helps break down grease without harming the finish.
For heavier grease: A solution of warm water with a few drops of dish soap and a splash of white vinegar, applied with a soft cloth and followed by rinsing with a clean damp cloth, handles most situations. For stubborn buildup, a paste of baking soda and water applied gently with a soft cloth can lift grease deposits. Avoid scrubbing aggressively, as this can dull the topcoat.
Prevention: Running your range hood while cooking is the single most effective way to reduce grease buildup on nearby cabinets. The hood captures much of the aerosolized grease before it settles on surfaces.
What NOT to Use on Wood Cabinets
The products you avoid are just as important as the ones you use. These common cleaning products can damage cabinet finishes:
- Bleach or bleach-based cleaners: Can discolor both painted and stained finishes and weaken the topcoat.
- Ammonia-based cleaners (like standard Windex): Can strip the finish and cause cloudiness over time.
- Abrasive cleaners or scouring pads: Will scratch the topcoat and create dull spots that can’t be buffed out.
- All-purpose spray cleaners: Many contain solvents or chemicals that are too harsh for finished wood. Check the label and when in doubt, stick with dish soap and water.
- Excessive water: Soaking the cabinets or leaving wet rags draped over them can cause swelling, warping, and finish damage.
Caring for Painted Cabinets
Painted cabinets have a few specific maintenance considerations. For a deeper comparison of how painted and stained finishes perform over time, see our painted vs. stained cabinets guide.
Chipping: Paint can chip at edges and around hardware over time. Keep a small amount of touch-up paint (ask your cabinet maker for a sample when the cabinets are installed) to address chips before they grow. Clean the chipped area, apply a thin layer of matching paint with a small brush, and let it dry completely.
Yellowing: Some white and off-white paints can yellow slightly over time, especially in kitchens with gas ranges or in areas that don’t receive much natural light. This is a characteristic of oil-based and alkyd finishes. If you’re choosing white paint, ask your cabinet maker about non-yellowing formulas (acrylic-based finishes resist yellowing better).
Hairline cracks: Fine cracks where the door frame meets the center panel are normal on painted wood cabinets. Wood expands and contracts with humidity changes, and paint is less flexible than the wood beneath it. These cracks are cosmetic and not structural. They can be touched up with paint but may reappear with seasonal humidity shifts.
Caring for Stained Cabinets
Fading: Stained cabinets near windows or under skylights may fade slightly over time due to UV exposure. Using window treatments to limit direct sunlight on cabinet surfaces helps. If fading occurs unevenly (for example, one cabinet face gets more sun than its neighbors), you may eventually want to refinish the affected areas to even out the color.
Water spots: If water sits on a stained surface, it can leave white marks in the topcoat. This is especially common on cabinets near the sink. Wipe up water promptly to prevent spotting. Existing water spots can sometimes be removed with a very light application of mineral spirits on a soft cloth, but test in an inconspicuous area first.
Scratches: Minor surface scratches on stained cabinets can often be minimized with a matching stain pen or wax stick (available at hardware stores in dozens of wood tones). For deeper scratches that go through the topcoat, your cabinet maker or a refinishing professional may need to spot-repair the area.
Handling Humidity and Temperature
Wood is a living material that responds to its environment. It absorbs moisture when humidity is high and releases it when the air is dry. This constant cycle of expansion and contraction is normal, but extreme or rapid changes can cause problems.
Ideal conditions: Kitchen humidity between 35 and 55 percent is best for wood cabinets. Most homes fall naturally within this range, but kitchens that frequently have very high steam (from heavy cooking or a dishwasher venting) or very dry air (from aggressive heating in winter) may push the extremes.
What excess humidity causes: Swelling, sticking doors and drawers, and in severe cases, warping or delamination of veneers.
What excess dryness causes: Shrinkage, cracking, and gaps between joints, especially on painted cabinets where hairline cracks become more visible.
Prevention: Use your range hood and kitchen exhaust fan to manage steam while cooking. In dry winter months, a whole-house humidifier or even a portable humidifier can help maintain healthy moisture levels.
Protecting High-Wear Areas
Certain zones in your kitchen take significantly more abuse than others. A little extra attention in these areas prevents the most common types of damage.
Cabinets near the stove: Clean these more frequently to prevent grease buildup. Always use the range hood while cooking.
Cabinets near the sink: Wipe up splashes and drips promptly. The base cabinet directly below the sink is the most vulnerable to water damage. Check periodically for leaks under the sink, as a slow drip can cause serious damage before you notice it.
Cabinets near the dishwasher: Steam vents from the dishwasher (especially when opened mid-cycle) can blast adjacent cabinet edges with hot moisture. Avoid opening the dishwasher immediately after the cycle ends; let the steam dissipate for a minute first.
Hardware areas: The spots around knobs and pulls accumulate oils and dirt from daily handling. A quick wipe of these areas every few days keeps them looking clean.
When to Refinish
Even with excellent care, most cabinet finishes will eventually show their age. Here’s how to gauge when refinishing is worthwhile:
Painted cabinets: A professional repaint is typically needed every 10 to 15 years, depending on the quality of the original finish and how heavily the kitchen is used. Costs typically range from $3,000 to $7,000 for a full kitchen.
Stained cabinets: The clear topcoat on stained cabinets can last 15 to 20+ years before needing a refresh. When the finish starts to feel rough, looks cloudy, or no longer repels water, it’s time to sand and reapply the topcoat.
If your cabinets are structurally sound but cosmetically worn, refinishing is dramatically less expensive than replacement. It’s one of the reasons quality custom cabinets are such a good long-term investment. Our refacing vs. replacement guide covers when refinishing makes sense and when it’s time for new cabinets.
For questions about maintenance specific to your cabinet material, our wood types guide covers how different species hold up over time. And if you’re looking for a professional to assess or refinish your existing cabinets, browse our directory for cabinet professionals in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Murphy’s Oil Soap on my kitchen cabinets?
Murphy’s Oil Soap is safe for most stained wood cabinets when diluted according to the label directions. However, it should not be used on painted cabinets (it can soften some paint finishes), and it’s not recommended for frequent use on any finish because it can leave a buildup over time. For routine cleaning, warm water with mild dish soap is a safer all-around choice.
How do I remove sticky residue from cabinet surfaces?
For adhesive residue, price tag stickers, or other sticky spots, apply a small amount of mineral spirits to a soft cloth and gently rub the area. Mineral spirits won’t damage most cabinet finishes when used sparingly. Follow up by cleaning the area with your standard soap and water solution.
Should I wax my kitchen cabinets?
For most modern cabinet finishes (lacquer, conversion varnish, or catalyzed paint), waxing is unnecessary and not recommended. These finishes have their own protective topcoat that wax can actually interfere with. If your cabinets have a traditional hand-rubbed oil or wax finish, then periodic rewaxing may be appropriate. Check with your cabinet maker for finish-specific care instructions.
What causes kitchen cabinets to peel?
Peeling is most commonly caused by moisture damage, poor surface preparation before finishing, or the use of incompatible paint/stain products. Cabinets near the sink and dishwasher are most prone to moisture-related peeling. If peeling occurs, the affected area needs to be stripped back to sound wood, re-primed, and refinished.
How do I keep my cabinet hardware looking new?
Most cabinet hardware can be cleaned with the same mild soap and water solution you use for the cabinets. For brass or bronze hardware that develops tarnish or patina, a metal-specific polish can restore the original shine. Some homeowners prefer the aged look that develops naturally on unlacquered brass and bronze, which is part of the appeal of these finishes.
Last Updated: February 2026