Best Way to Clean Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet hardware can be a bit difficult to clean depending on how ornate or dirty it is. A knob, for instance, is easier than a looped, ornate handle. Very ornate knobs or handles are more difficult if they have deep grooves in them, and tiny crevices that hold onto dirt only complicate matters even more. With just a few simple household items and some warm water, you will be able to get yours sparkling and clean again.

Precautions

The only precaution to consider is the use of Ammonia to clean; it may react with the metal, cause coatings to peel, or discolor it. Ammonia is only be safe to use with stainless steel hardware when diluted in water and used in a well-ventilated area.

General Cleaning

The tools you need are a bucket of warm, soapy water, an old toothbrush or other small, soft brush, two terry or microfiber cloths and a soft, dry polishing cloth. Use about a teaspoon of grease cutting detergent cleaner; such as Dawn dish liquid, diluted in about a gallon of water. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are also very good for this type of cleaning job.

For routine cleaning of cabinet hardware, clean the handles, latches and hinges with your cloth and soft brush dipped in the soapy water. Use the brush for reaching into crevices. This is where dirt and kitchen grease tends to collect and settle. Getting into the grooves and between where the metal meets the cabinet is best done with the soft brush. You may also use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser if the brush does not seem effective enough. Use clean water and a microfiber cloth to wipe away the dirt and soapy water from surfaces. Finally, you will use the soft cloth to buff and polish the metal for shine.

Stubborn Hardware

In cases where the cabinet hardware that was not maintained for some time or exposed to unusually heavy cooking grease residue, you may need to use another approach. You will use the same items as with general maintenance cleaning or you can use the kitchen sink for cleaning if there are no concerns with sanitation. Remove the hardware with a Phillips or straight head screwdriver being careful not to lose any screws. You will be soaking the hardware in the warm, soapy water, or hot in the case of heavy grease, until the grease and dirt has sufficiently loosened for removal. Again, the Magic Eraser and small brush will come in handy for cleaning. Rinse the pieces in clean water, dry thoroughly, and reattach them to the cabinetry. Be careful you do not over tighten the screws as they will strip and not hold any longer.