11 Ways to Clean White Kitchen Cabinets That Have Yellowed


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How to Clean White Kitchen Cabinets That Have Yellowed?

Kitchen cabinets are exposed to grease, smoke, steam, food spills, and dust. These contaminants cause the white kitchen cabinets to yellow. Cleaning white kitchen cabinets can restore the sparkling appearance of a recently painted or installed cabinet.

Some homeowners may think that the only way to restore the original look of their kitchen after it has yellowed is to either repaint or replace their cabinets. However, this is not necessary.

In fact, there are a number of ways you can clean your white kitchen cabinets without having to spend a fortune on new ones.


11 Ways to Clean White Kitchen Cabinets That Have Yellowed

You may be lucky enough to have white kitchen cabinets in your home. It’s also possible that they are yellowed and no longer as bright as they once were. When this happens, you may think that it is time to get new cabinets.

There are several ways to clean your cabinets without replacing them. All you need is the right cleaning product, a bit of elbow grease, and some patience, and you can restore those bright white cabinets to their former glory.

1. Try baking soda first

Mix baking soda and water into a paste and rub it on the cabinets. Leave for about an hour and then wipe off with a damp cloth. Check how your cabinets look before moving on to stronger methods of cleaning.

  1. Mix 1 cup of bleach with 1/2 gallon of water in a bucket.
  2. Use a sponge or cloth to apply the mixture all over the cabinet doors, drawers, shelves, etc.
  3. Let stand for 15 minutes, then rinse well with a sponge and warm water.
  4. Repeat as needed until all of the yellowing is gone from your cabinets.

2. Vinegar and ammonia solution

Vinegar and ammonia solution is an effective way of removing stains from your kitchen cabinets. The ingredients can be found in many houses as they are used for cooking purposes.

Vinegar is a good disinfectant and cleanser while ammonia is useful in removing grease from the cabinet surfaces. The mixture of these two will remove the stains effectively from your kitchen cabinet surfaces.

3. Dishwashing detergent and water

Dishwashing detergent and warm water are effective ways of removing stains from your kitchen cabinets. The dishwashing detergent is a good disinfectant in addition to being a powerful cleanser.

As a result, it will effectively remove all the stains on your kitchen cabinet surfaces leaving them clean and bright. This is also an inexpensive way to clean your white kitchen cabinets without having to spend much money.

All you need is dishwashing detergent and warm water which can be easily found in many households. Mixing the two ingredients in a bowl will form the cleaning solution that you will use for cleaning your kitchen cabinets. Use a sponge to apply it on the stained surface and wipe it off with a clean cloth or paper towels until all the stains are gone.


4. Toothpaste

Toothpaste is an effective and cheap way to remove stains from your white kitchen cabinets. It can be used to remove the yellow stains and also prevent them from reoccurring in the future.

Take baking soda and mix it with water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and rub it gently using a piece of cloth. Allow it to sit for some minutes then rinse off with a wet piece of cloth. Do not use toothpaste on wooden cabinets as it will absorb stain into the wood which will be difficult to remove.

5. Lemon and baking soda

Lemon juice is a popular cleaner and it has the ability to remove stains from kitchen cabinets. Baking soda is also an effective cleaner that can be used in removing stains from your kitchen cabinets.

Mixing these two will make the powerful solution that you need to clean your kitchen cabinets. This solution is ideal for cleaning white kitchen cabinets as it will leave them shiny, fresh, and clean.


6. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective cleaner and it has the ability to remove yellowing that may have occurred on your white kitchen cabinets. Baking soda is also a good solution when it comes to removing stains from your wooden kitchen cabinets. It can help in removing the yellowing of your kitchen cabinets within a short time.

Mix these two ingredients together and apply them to the surfaces that you want to clean. This solution is ideal for cleaning white kitchen cabinets as it will leave them shiny, fresh, and clean.

7. Vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar is an effective cleaner and it can be used for cleaning white kitchen cabinets. It has the ability to remove any stains or yellowing from your kitchen cabinets within a short time. Baking soda is also a good solution when it comes to removing stains from your wooden kitchen cabinets. It can help in removing the yellowing.

This solution is ideal for cleaning white kitchen cabinets as it will leave them shiny, fresh, and clean. Vinegar has the ability to remove stains while baking soda takes care of bacteria. Soak a sponge or cloth in this solution and use it on the stained areas on the white kitchen cabinet. Remove stubborn stains by scrubbing gently using an old toothbrush or nylon brush.


8. Vinegar and water

Vinegar is an effective cleaning product that can be used in getting rid of grease and stains on your kitchen cabinets. It is known to have the ability to kill germs and bacteria as well.

Mixing vinegar with water will make a solution that you can use to clean your kitchen cabinets. The solution will leave your white kitchen cabinets sparkling clean.

9. Disinfectant cleaner

A disinfectant cleaner is an effective cleaner that can be used for cleaning your kitchen cabinets, whether they are made of wood, painted, or laminate. It not only cleans the dirt but also disinfectants your cabinets and leaves a nice smell after cleaning. This will help you get rid of any germs on your kitchen cabinet.


10. Dish soap

Dish soap is an effective way of cleaning food stains from your white kitchen cabinet surfaces. You can mix it with warm water and wipe it on the surface or spray it on the surface directly. After a few minutes of scrubbing, you will see that all the spots are removed from your cabinet surfaces.

11. Vinegar and Olive Oil Solution

Vinegar and olive oil solution is a natural way of cleaning your kitchen cabinets. It is easy to use, and it gives the best results. All you need is to mix half a cup of vinegar with three cups of oil. Use a soft cloth to apply the mixture to the kitchen cabinet surfaces. Then wipe using another clean cloth until it shines.


In summary, a dirty and messy kitchen cabinet will not just look bad but also make your kitchen look like a disaster area. A yellowish stain on a white kitchen cabinet can be due to oil, grease, and dirt. Cleaning a white kitchen cabinet is not an easy task, but it’s not rocket science either. The trick lies in using the right ingredients and the right method to clean the cabinets that have turned yellowish.

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