The Brilliant Cabinet-Cleaning Hack I Learned from My Friend’s Mom

Years ago, I visited my friend's house and walked into the kitchen to find her mom perched on a chair, deeply focused on cleaning the cabinet doors. She was second-generation Italian, and her pride in keeping her home spotless was evident. Her mother, also from Italy, was right there with her, nodding in approval of the cleaning method. Growing up in New Jersey with a strong Italian-American community, I was no stranger to seeing generations of women keeping their homes immaculately clean. If you’ve ever spent time in an Italian-American household, you’ll know exactly what I mean!

The women in my friend's family were known for their simple, cost-effective cleaning methods. They were always happy to pass down their tricks for keeping things neat and fresh. On this particular day, I noticed her mom using a tool to get into the tight grooves of the cabinet doors. Naturally, I was curious and asked what she was using. With a warm smile, her mother took my hand and said in her delightful Italian accent, 'It's the putty knife. All you need is a putty knife and a rag.'

How to Clean Your Cabinet Doors Using a Putty Knife

What You'll Need:

• Paper towels
• Lukewarm water
• Putty knife
• Two clean kitchen towels

Step 1: Prepare Your Cabinets

Start by wiping down your cabinets with a damp paper towel to remove any dust, grease, or food bits that may have settled. While you're at it, don't forget to tackle that greasy backsplash as well!

Step 2: Choose the Right Putty Knife

If you're using a putty knife you already own, double-check that it's free from any leftover materials like paint, plaster, cement, or putty. The goal is to keep your cabinets safe from scratches, streaks, or worse damage, so make sure the blade is clean.

For best results, opt for a stainless steel or high-carbon steel putty knife. These materials help the damp towel cling more securely when wrapped around the blade. A thin blade is ideal since it can easily slip into those tricky grooves and corners of your cabinets.

Step 3: Prepare the Putty Knife

Putty knives are equipped with sharp edges, designed for scraping and smoothing tough materials. To avoid damaging your cabinets, it's crucial to handle this step carefully. You'll need an absorbent kitchen towel that's not too thick—just enough to cushion the sharp edges of the putty knife while still allowing you to reach those hard-to-get corners.

Begin by running a kitchen towel under lukewarm water, then wring it out until it’s damp but not dripping. Leave the handle exposed and wrap the towel around the putty knife so that the blade is fully covered. Tuck in the towel’s edge above the handle to secure it in place.

Step 4: Start Cleaning Your Cabinets

Gently glide the wrapped putty knife along every ridge and corner of your cabinet inserts. Apply light pressure to loosen the dust and residue without damaging the paint or finish. If the putty knife accumulates too much debris, use your hands or a paper towel to clean it off before continuing.

As the toweled edges of the putty knife get dirty, simply unwrap it and rewrap a clean section around the blade. Continue this process as needed to keep the edges fresh and effective. Find more tips for degreasing other kitchen surfaces here.

Step 5: Give Your Cabinets a Final Wipe

Take a fresh, slightly damp kitchen towel and gently wipe down your cabinet doors one last time. This will remove any remaining dust or residue the putty knife loosened, leaving you with sparkling, spotless cabinet doors.