Every kitchen, whether commercial or residential, must be clean and hygienic. You must clean your kitchen cabinets regularly to maintain their appearance and prevent germs from accumulating. Most people use various types of cleaning agents to do this, but have you ever considered using Dawn Dish Soap?
It’s a popular dishwashing liquid, and most homeowners who use it praise it for its effectiveness. However, since kitchen cabinets are made of different materials, will Dawn Dish Soap be safe and effective on them? Let’s find out.
Can You Clean Kitchen Cabinets with Dawn Dish Soap?
Yes, you can clean kitchen cabinets with Dawn Dish Soap and achieve some fair level of cleanliness. Safety is also not a concern since Dawn dish soap is non-toxic and safe for use around food as long as it’s thoroughly rinsed.
Why Use It on Utensils?
1. Cuts Through Grease and Grime
One of the main reasons for this soap’s popularity in cleaning is its ability to cut through tough grease and grime. Your dishes, cups, cutlery, and pots are constantly exposed to greasy and oily substances.
Dawn soap’s grease-cutting power makes it ideal for effectively removing this grime.
2. Gentle on Utensil Surfaces
The primary reason for using Dawn dish soap is to clean utensils and dishes, typically plastic, metal, or glass. It’s specially formulated for gentleness on utensils while still cleaning effectively.
You don’t need to worry about your delicate glasses getting scratched or your non-stick pans losing their coating.
Remember, it’s glass, plastic, and metal? No mention about unfinished wood, wood vanish, or solid wood utensils. It’s important to do your own research about your unique cabinets and their finishes before using any product on them.
Benefits of Using Dawn Dish Soap for Kitchen Cabinets
1. Cuts Through Grease and Grime
Dawn dish soap brand is super popular for cutting through grease on kitchen utensils. Anything that can degrease your utensils can also effectively clean most hard surfaces.
It may be a good idea to use this soap to wipe off some greasy mess on your kitchen cabinets. However, do a spot test on an inconspicuous area first, and avoid using it on unfinished wood.
2. Safe for Wood, Laminate, and Painted Cabinets
This liquid soap is generally considered safe to use on wood, laminate, and painted cabinets as long as it’s rinsed well and scrubbed gently. It’s also important that you don’t mix it with harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach, so it won’t damage your cabinet’s finish.
That said, you can’t use it on unfinished wood or overly delicate finishes.
3. Affordable and Readily Available
Another reason for this product’s popularity is its affordability and availability. You can find it at most grocery stores and retailers, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for cleaning your cabinets.
A little goes a long way with Dawn dish soap, so you won’t need to repurchase it frequently.
4. Non-Abrasive Cleaner
Anytime we explain how to clean kitchen cabinets, we always caution against commercial cleaners with harsh chemicals and abrasive substances that can damage or scratch your kitchen cabinets.
Using an abrasive cleaner can strip away the finish and cause permanent damage to your cabinets.
How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets with Dawn Dish Soap
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your kitchen cabinets with Dawn dish soap:
1. Dissolve a Few Drops of the Soap into Some Warm Water
Use a bucket to mix the warm water and liquid soap. You only need a small amount; Dawn is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Warming up water helps with dissolving the soap as well as grease and grime.
2. Use a Soft Cloth or Sponge
So, you can’t just use the soap solution we’ve just described with your bare hands to clean the cabinets. It’s not about the soap being gentle to your hands, it’s about what it does to the wood.
You need a cloth or sponge for scrubbing off dirt and grime gently. Sponges and soft clothes absorb the soapy water and help to loosen dirt particles without damaging the wood surface.
Use light pressure while cleaning the cabinets, especially if they’re wooden. Scrub in circular motions, starting from the top and working your way down.
3. Rinse Thoroughly with Clean Water
After scrubbing with the soap solution, rinse off all the soap residue with clean water. Wash the sponge/ cloth or use another one to wipe away any remaining soap suds on the cabinets.
Leaving soap residue can cause a filmy layer on your cabinets and attract more dust and dirt, so rinse thoroughly.
4. Dry Immediately
Use a dry cloth/ towel to wipe and dry the excess water. Do it immediately after rinsing without taking a break to avoid any water spots or streaks from forming.
Leaving water to air dry on your cabinets can also cause damage over time.
Using Dawn and Vinegar to Clean Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are exposed to dust, oily palms, and cooking fumes daily. The mess may sometimes be too much for soap alone to clear. But we never run out of tricks!
For example, here’s an extensive read on how to clean white cabinets that have yellowed.
Diluted vinegar and Dawn dish soap is a powerful yet gentle combination that can help you get rid of even the toughest grease and grime on your kitchen cabinets.
Just drop two tablespoons of white vinegar into the soap and water solution we described earlier and stir gently.
Safety Considerations
You sure don’t want to get hurt while cleaning your kitchen cabinets. Here are some safety tips for you:
- Always wear gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals and hot water.
- Use a strong stable ladder or stool to reach top cabinets.
- Test any new cleaning solution on a small, less visible area first before using it on the entire cabinet to mitigate potential damage or discoloration.
- Open up your windows and use the exhaust fan for ample ventilation while cleaning with vinegar.
- Take breaks and don’t overexert yourself. Also, stay hydrated.
- Don’t take breaks after cleaning with soapy water without rising and drying. So, start from the right or left, washing top and bottom as you move across.
- Read our tips on how to clean wooden kitchen cabinets.
- Use a scrub brush, toothbrush, or old rag to get into difficult corners and crevices. You can also use an old toothbrush to gently clean any intricate designs or patterns on your cabinets.
Why You Can’t Use Dawn Dish Soap on Unfinished Wood
Unfinished wood is a popular choice for furniture and home décor because of its natural beauty. However, this type of wood requires special cleaning care.
Dawn dish soap is a well-known and effective cleaner for many surfaces, but it may cause drying by consuming the natural oils on unfinished wood. The effects are cracking or warping.
It can also leave a film on the unfinished wood surface if you don’t rinse off the soap well.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning Cabinets
This section is necessary to make this post thorough enough. It’s essential to know what to avoid when cleaning cabinets to achieve the best results and prevent damage.
Here are a few things you should avoid when cleaning your cabinets:
Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals will strip away the finish on your cabinets, causing discoloration. So, avoid commercial cleaners with ammonia.
Steel Wool or Abrasive Sponges
These can scratch and damage the surface of your cabinets, so it’s best to use soft cloths or sponges instead.
Excessive Water
Avoid too much water so it doesn’t seep into the wood. Wring out your cloth or sponge before wiping down your cabinets.
Rough Cleaning Tools
Avoid using tools like scrapers or brushes, as they can also scratch and damage your cabinets. Stick to the cleaning clothes we discussed.
Alternatives to Dawn Dish Soap for Cleaning Cabinets
While Dawn is one of the most famous dish soap brands available, there are many chemical cleaning products that could work just as well for this purpose. Here are a few other options:
- Murphy Oil Soap.
- Method Wood for Good Daily Clean.
- Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner.
- Bona Cabinet Cleaner.
- Many more.
You have to do your independent research and decide what is going to work for you.
When time comes to refurb your cabinets or remodel your kitchen, remember Designer Cabinets Online. We’re here for you.