Choosing white cabinets is bold, as you have to keep them looking crisp and clean. However, over time, white cabinets turn yellow, which can be frustrating for homeowners. This discoloration is caused by various factors, including exposure to sunlight, heat, smoke, grease, and the aging of the materials used in making the cabinets.
In a previous post, we focused on how to clean kitchen cabinets. In this guide, we will discuss the causes and how to keep your white cabinets from yellowing over time.
Why Do White Cabinets Turn Yellow?
1. Sunlight Exposure (UV Damage)
Did you know that sunlight carries with it invisible radiation? Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun gradually break down the paint and finish on cabinets, causing them to lose their bright white tone.
Cabinets placed near large windows, skylights, or areas with strong natural light are more vulnerable to this type of discoloration. Without proper protection, your once-brilliant white cabinets may slowly develop a yellowish tint.
2. Cooking Oils and Grease Buildup
Frying foods, simmering sauces, or even baking can release oils and grease that settle on cabinet surfaces. You’re also likely to spread oils and grease as you open cabinets, especially when cooking in a hurry.
Over time, a sticky film builds up, trapping dust and darkening the cabinet finish. Yellowing follows.
Without frequent cleaning and ventilation, the yellowing happens faster.
3. Heat, Smoke, and Environmental Pollutants
You know how hot, humid, and messy kitchens can get. The heat can break down the finish and wood fibers, exposing the wood to air and moisture.
If you frequently cook foods that produce smoke, your cabinets are at greater risk of discoloration. Smoke particles and pollutants settle into the paint or finish, leaving behind stains that dull the brightness of your cabinetry.
Even candles or fireplaces can contribute to a subtle yellow cast over time.
4. Humidity and Moisture
Kitchens are naturally humid environments, and prolonged exposure to steam and moisture can cause damage to cabinet materials. High humidity causes finishes to deteriorate more quickly, and in some cases, it may even encourage the growth of mold or mildew, which contributes to discoloration.
Also, humidity in the air can seep into the wood, causing water damage and cracks or splits in the cabinets.
5. Aging of Finishes/ Paints
Over time, finishes and paints used on kitchen cabinets can also contribute to their discoloration. As they age, they may lose their original color or luster due to natural wear and tear.
6. Cleaning Habits (or Lack Thereof)
The way you clean your kitchen cabinets also contributes to their discoloration. Using dirty and greasy cloths can cause damage, while harsh chemicals will strip the finish or discolor the white paint.
If you don’t wash your white cabinets regularly and properly, they may develop a yellowish or brownish tinge as dirt and grime accumulate.
How to Keep White Cabinets from Yellowing
1. Regular Cleaning
For starters, always clean off any spatters immediately. Don’t let them sit there for days until you get to do a routine wipe-down. Otherwise, they may be more challenging to remove and might even leave stains.
There’s no other option when you have white cabinets; you have to clean them lest they turn yellow regularly. Regular cleaning interrupts the buildup of dirt and grime, which is the primary cause of yellowing.
Cleaning also removes any grease and oil stains, which contribute to yellowing. It even reverses the process of yellowing before it goes too far.
Avoid using harsh chemicals to clean your cabinets, as this can damage the finish and increase their susceptibility to yellowing. Even when using vinegar to take advantage of its natural cleaning properties, it’s essential to dilute it with water and use it sparingly.
For routine cleaning, use warm water and liquid soap and only use diluted vinegar occasionally.
2. Protect from Grease and Smoke
Use range hoods while cooking to minimize the amount of grease and smoke getting on your cabinets. Range hoods help to pull the grease and smoke out of the air, preventing them from settling onto your cabinets.
Cleaning your range hood regularly will also help to prevent buildup.
Using splatter screens while cooking will further reduce the amount of grease and oil that ends up on your cabinets.
You can also use a light coat of wax or polish on your cabinets. It creates a barrier between the wood or finish and any airborne particles, making it easier to wipe off any residue that accumulates.
3. Reduce Sunlight Exposure
While natural light is extremely helpful for kitchens, direct sunlight on your white cabinets can cause them to yellow over time. To prevent this, consider installing curtains or blinds on your kitchen windows to control the amount of sunlight that enters.
Consider using a UV-resistant film on your windows if you need all the natural light possible but still want to keep your cabinets looking bright and white. The film will block out harmful UV rays while still allowing natural light to pass.
4. Control Humidity Levels
We already covered how humidity turns white cabinets yellow, but it can also damage other kitchen surfaces. Air humidity can cause wood to warp and swell, leading to misaligned doors and drawers. It can also cultivate the right conditions for mold and mildew to multiply, eventually harming your entire household.
Ensure there’s ample ventilation and use dehumidifiers to regulate humidity levels. You can also get a hygrometer for monitoring the humidity levels.
5. Routine Maintenance
You need to touch up paint or finish when needed. If you have painted cabinets, check for any chipping or peeling. Use a small brush to touch up the affected areas with the same color paint.
For wooden cabinets, regularly apply furniture polish or wax to maintain their shine and protect them from moisture. That way, the wood won’t dry or crack. t and cracking.
Special Considerations for White Oak Cabinets
White oak cabinets are durable and resistant to moisture thanks to their tight grain structure, but like most natural woods, they can be prone to discoloration over time—especially from sunlight exposure and oxidation.
How to Keep White Oak Cabinets from Yellowing
- Choose the right stain or finish. You can get stains and finishes specialized for white oak cabinets. These stains or finishes will help to seal the wood and prevent any discoloration.
- Use coasters or trivets underneath hot pots and pans. Direct heat can damage the finish of your cabinets, leading to discoloration over time.
- Use UV-protective sealants or finishes. Exposure to sunlight hastens the yellowing of white oak cabinets. Applying a UV-protective sealant or finish can help prevent this.
- Clean spills and messes immediately. Any liquids left sitting on the surface of your cabinets seep into the wood, causing discoloration.
- You also need to learn how to keep your white kitchen clean.
When Yellowing Already Occurs
For starters, go over how to clean white cabinets that have yellowed. You can gradually reverse the yellowing process by scrubbing your cabinets gently with a mild detergent, baking soda, or vinegar solution.
Other ways to eliminate the unsightly yellow color include refinishing or repainting your cabinets or using a whitening agent such as hydrogen peroxide.
Please note that these solutions may not completely remove the yellowing, but they can significantly improve the appearance of your white cabinets.
Long-Term Solutions: Get Your Cabinets Through Us
Ultimately, the quality of your kitchen cabinets determines how long they can last without yellowing, warping, cracking, or staining. We recommend solid wood cabinets with a durable and non-porous finish.
A cabinet’s material and finish determine how fast it will yellow. You must invest in quality materials and use durable finishes to slow down the yellowing process.
In this regard, we recommend getting your cabinets through us. We collaborate with the most reputable custom cabinet designers and manufacturers nationwide, utilizing only the highest-quality materials.