Introduction
Kitchen cabinet handles see a lot of action and can quickly become dirty and grimy. Greasy fingerprints, dust, dirt, and spills can accumulate on metal cabinet handles and knobs, making them appear dull and dirty. While it may seem easier to just ignore the grime, keeping your metal handles clean not only makes them look better but also helps remove germs and bacteria that accumulate on high-touch surfaces.
Cleaning metal cabinet hardware regularly is an easy way to help keep your kitchen looking its best. The good news is it doesn’t require harsh chemicals or a lot of effort to make metal cabinet handles shine. With a few simple supplies and techniques, you can have gleaming metal handles in no time.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about effectively cleaning metal kitchen cabinet handles and knobs. We’ll discuss:
- Benefits of Cleaning Metal Handles
- Supplies Needed
- Cleaning Techniques
- Soap and Water
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Commercial Cleaners
- prevention
- FAQs
Learning proper cleaning methods will help keep your metal handles looking their best for years to come. Let’s get started!
Benefits of Cleaning Metal Handles
Keeping metal cabinet hardware clean provides several important benefits:
Improved Appearance
Regular cleaning keeps metal handles looking shiny and new. It removes fingerprints, grease, dirt, and grime that accumulates on the surface over time. Clean handles make the entire kitchen look more polished.
Remove Germs
Metal handles and knobs are high-touch surfaces that can harbor harmful bacteria. Routine cleaning helps sanitize handles and reduce the spread of germs in the kitchen.
Prolong Life
Cleaning helps preserve the quality of metal over time. Removing dirt and grime prevents buildup and corrosion that can wear down the finish. Proper care keeps metal handles in good working order.
Improve Function
Clean handles provide better grip and function. Removing hand oils and grease prevents slipping and makes opening cabinets easier.
Keeping your metal hardware clean takes just minutes but provides many important benefits. Make handle cleaning part of your regular kitchen cleaning routine.
Supplies Needed
Cleaning metal handles doesn’t require a lot of special supplies. Common household items are very effective. Here are the basic supplies you need:
- Clean cloths or paper towels
- Warm water
- Dish soap or all-purpose cleaner
- Soft-bristle cleaning brush
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Microfiber cloth
- Rubbing alcohol
- Polishing oil (optional)
Have these cleaning supplies on hand before getting started. A clean towel dampened with warm water and dish soap can tackle most basic cleaning needs. For a deeper clean, baking soda or vinegar will help remove more stubborn grime and disinfect.
Make sure to use soft, non-abrasive cloths and brushes to avoid scratching the surface. Test cleaners in inconspicuous spots first. Harsh chemicals, scouring pads, and scrubbing can damage the finish. Gentle yet effective cleaning is the key for maintaining cabinet hardware.
Cleaning Techniques
Use these simple techniques for cleaning metal handles and knobs as part of your regular kitchen care regimen:
Soap and Water
Warm water and mild dish soap can remove most fingerprints, grease, and surface dirt on metal hardware.
Steps:
- Dampen a clean cloth or paper towel with warm water. Add a small amount of mild dish soap and wring out excess.
- Gently wipe down each handle, scrubbing lightly to remove stuck-on grime.
- Rinse with a fresh damp cloth and dry thoroughly with a lint-free towel.
This straightforward method should be used for routine, day-to-day handle cleaning. The warm water cuts grease while the dish soap disinfects.
Baking Soda
For a deeper clean, baking soda is mildly abrasive to dissolve grime buildup but gentle enough for metal.
Steps:
- Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part warm water.
- Using a damp cloth, apply the paste to handles and rub gently in circles.
- Let sit briefly, then wipe clean with a soft brush or sponge.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel.
Baking soda works to lift away stubborn grease and residue for refreshed handles.
Vinegar
The acidic properties of vinegar help break down grime and disinfect metal surfaces.
Steps:
- Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar.
- Spray vinegar directly onto cabinet hardware.
- Let sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly with a towel.
The vinegar will foam up and bubble away grease, soap scum, and bacteria.
Commercial Cleaners
For tougher jobs, a commercial metal cleaner can be used. Look for ones designed specifically for use on stainless steel, chrome, bronze, and other metal types.
Steps:
- Apply a small amount of cleaner directly to handles.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush, following product directions.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Be sure to select a cleaner made for metal to avoid damage. Avoid bleach-based and ammonia-based products as these can react with various metal types.
Prevention
Preventing dirt and grime from accumulating in the first place will make cleaning much easier. These tips help keep handles cleaner longer:
- Wipe down handles after cooking or handling with dirty hands
- Apply a polishing oil regularly to create a protective barrier
- Install handle covers to protect from grease splatter
- Use drawer liner or lining paper in cabinets to prevent rubbing
- Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach that can interact with metal
A little prevention goes a long way to minimize the cleaning needed.
Cleaning Metal Handle FAQs
To summarize key points about keeping metal cabinet hardware clean, here are answers to common questions:
How often should I clean metal handles?
Clean metal handles at least once a week for routine upkeep. Clean right away if handles become excessively dirty from cooking or other use.
What is the best way to clean metal handles?
Use a soft cloth, mild dish soap, warm water, and gentle scrubbing. Baking soda, vinegar, or commercial cleaners can be used for deeper cleaning. Avoid abrasive scouring pads.
How do you remove grease from metal handles?
Dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar all help cut through sticky grease on metal. Let cleaners sit before scrubbing and rinsing away grease.
What removes tarnish from metal?
Baking soda or a paste of salt and vinegar can gently lift away metal tarnish. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners which can damage the finish.
What is a safe cleaner for metal hardware?
Warm water, mild dish or hand soap, baking soda, and vinegar are safe cleaners for most metal cabinet hardware. Avoid acidic and bleach cleaners.
Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean metal?
Rubbing alcohol can disinfect metal surfaces but should be diluted 50/50 with water to avoid drying out the material. Test on a small spot first.
How do you clean antique metal hardware?
Use mild dish soap and warm water with a soft cloth. Avoid immersing or prolonged soaking. Test vintage hardware cleaner in an inconspicuous area first.
Conclusion
Dirty metal hardware takes away from the beauty of your kitchen cabinets. Luckily, it’s easy to make grimy handles shine again with regular cleaning. Using non-abrasive supplies and gentle scrubbing prevents damage while refreshing the look of metal handles.
Remember these key tips for cleaning metal handles on kitchen cabinets:
- Wipe down routinely with dish soap and warm water
- Allow baking soda or vinegar pastes to sit before scrubbing
- Use commercial cleaners made specifically for metal
- Prevent buildup with polishing oil and grease shields
- Clean spills and splatters right away
Inspect handles weekly and clean whenever grime appears. A little elbow grease will keep metal handles looking their best for years of use.
With this complete guide, you have all the information needed to effectively clean metal kitchen cabinet handles. Just follow these simple methods to remove grease, grime, bacteria, and tarnish. Routine cleaning keeps handles functioning smoothly while giving your kitchen a clean, polished look.