How to Clean Cabinet Hardware?
Most homeowners focus on the cabinet when it comes to cleaning. However, the cabinet hardware also suffers from extensive wear and tear. This wear and tear gets accelerated if you do not clean the cabinet hardware from time to time. The question which arises is, how to clean cabinet hardware?
We will answer that below. Not only that, we will go into the details of the cleaning procedures you have to follow according to the cabinet hardware material. Additionally, we will share a few general tips that will make it easy for you to clean the cabinet hardware. The exact procedure to clean the cabinet hardware will be dependent on the material of the cabinet hardware. For example, cleaning wooden hardware is different from cleaning ceramic and glass hardware or metal hardware.
We will go into the details of these cleaning procedures below.
1. Wooden hardware:
Wooden hardware can undoubtedly add to the aesthetics of your kitchen. You can easily find wooden pulls, knobs, and so on. To clean them, you need to remove them if possible and apply a mixture of vinegar and water. Either that or you have to use a mild soap solution. You have to, however, ensure that you should wipe off the solution pretty quickly. If the solution remains on it for a longer time, it can lead to odor and deteriorate wood quality. That is why you have to be swift in cleaning wooden cabinet hardware. The best way to clean the wooden cabinet hardware is to:
- Use a toothbrush to apply the water and vinegar solution or a mild soap solution.
- After that, you have to rub the solution gently with the help of the toothbrush.
- Thereafter, you have to use a soft cloth to wipe it dry.
With these three simple steps, it will become effortless for you to clean the wooden cabinet hardware.
2. Ceramic and glass hardware:
Glass and ceramic knobs are pretty common in our kitchens as well. You will often find pulls of these materials as well. The good news is that when the material is ceramic or glass, it is equally easy to clean. When dealing with ceramic, you have to take a damp rag and rub the ceramic hardware with it. When you do so, you will be able to remove most dust and contaminants. Not only that, you can remove the stains as well. Cleaning the ceramic cabinet hardware is easiest.
For glass, however, you need a glass cleaner. You can also use the solution of water and vinegar highlighted above. To apply it, you can use a spray bottle. After that, you have to wipe it clean using a newspaper. You have to gently wipe it clean. When you do that, you won’t have to worry about streaks or scratches.
Thus, when dealing with ceramic or glass cabinet hardware, this is the procedure you have to follow.
3. Metal hardware:
The cabinet hardware is often made from metal as well. The advantage of metal is that it is pretty durable. However, to ensure that it has a long life, it is essential to clean it from time to time.
One disadvantage of metal is that over a while, it can develop a layer of grime.In case you notice the same, you have to take a soapy solution and apply it to the hardware for a few hours. For this, it is better to remove the hardware and then apply the solution to it. You can even keep the solution on the hardware overnight. After that, you have to wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. Once you do so, not only will grime get eliminated but the stains as well.
Another common problem for metal hardware is rust. For removing the rust, you can use vinegar as well as a water solution. You have to apply it and remove it in the same way. However, for vinegar and water solution, you have to reduce the duration of application to just a few minutes rather than keeping it overnight.
Thus, once you follow our guide above, it will be easier for you to clean the cabinet hardware of any material. Now that we have covered the specific cleaning procedures, it is time to look at some of the general tips you need to follow.
Additional tips for cleaning cabinet hardware:
With the help of these additional cleaning tips, it will become easier for you to clean the cabinet hardware efficiently.
1. Remove the hardware whenever possible:
Whenever possible, you have to remove the hardware to clean it. Once you do so, you will be able to clean the entire surface of the hardware. That is why; rusting and corrosion will not be a problem. Not only that, you can remove the stains and grime from the entire surface area, which can certainly help you get gleaming hardware.
This will also help you increase the life span of the hardware.
2. Do not reinstall until dry:
Under no circumstances should you reinstall the hardware until it is completely dry. Also, you shouldn’t use any artificial methods to dry the hardware either. The procedure to dry the hardware is as follows:
- You have to keep the hardware away from sunlight.
- You have to let it air dry.
- Even if it takes 12 hours to 24 hours to completely dry the hardware, you have to let it dry naturally.
When you follow these three tips to airdry the hardware, you can undoubtedly increase the life span of the hardware.
3. Do not use harsh cleaning agents:
In most cases above, you would notice that we have highlighted the use of mild soap solution and water-vinegar solution. The reason for the same is because both of these are mild and do not react with the cabinet hardware.
In case using any other cleansing solution, you have to ensure that it is mild as well.
You do not want something that can deteriorate the polish of the cabinet hardware.
Once you follow these three tips with our guide above, your question- how to clean cabinet hardware, is now answered.
So, in case you’re struggling to do the same, just follow the guide above. With our carefully curated guide, including the instructions for almost every hardware material, you shouldn’t face any difficulties in cleaning the hardware henceforth.