How to clean matt kitchen cupboards – this is how the experts tackle fingerprints, streaks and dust

Our kitchens can go through quite a lot from day to day. From steam to stains, grease and oil, it sees it all as you prepare and whip up your favourite dishes. If you have splashed out on your dream matt kitchen cupboards, you'll know fingerprints and streaks can ruin their rich velvety look. That's why we've asked the experts how to clean matt kitchen cupboards to keep your kitchen cabinet ideas looking as chic as the day you bought them.

‘Matt finishes are ideal for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, easy-to-live-with kitchen style,’ says Symphony's Design Manager, Josie Medved. ‘Their elegant and understated look includes a colour consistency that retains its solidity and depth whatever the light, wherever it’s installed and at all times of the day.’

While matt cabinets are not hard to clean, ‘unlike gloss surfaces, they don’t reflect light which makes any marks harder to see. This can mean the dirt can go unnoticed until it is more ingrained in the surface of the cabinet,’ admits MyJobQuote.co.uk's Cleaning Expert, Sarah Dempsey.

So, here’s everything you need to know about how to clean matt kitchen cupboards, as well as a handy step-by-step guide to make cleaning them an absolute breeze.

What you'll need

Step-by-step guide

1. Prepare your cleaning solution

Depending on your preference, you can buy a cleaning solution designed specifically for cleaning matt surfaces, like kitchen cupboards. Or, the experts all agree adding a few drops of washing-up liquid to a bowl of warm water and giving it a mix should more than suffice.

Just ‘remember less is more when it comes to matt surfaces,’ Catherine Green, from smol, affirms. ‘You only need a small drop of dish soap to avoid leaving residue behind.’

2. Remove any dust or debris

Before you get started, it’s important to gently give your matt kitchen cupboards a wipe with a dry microfibre cloth to remove any dust or loose debris, as ‘this will prevent scratching when you move on to wet cleaning,’ Catherine admits.

This is ‘because dust and other fine grains left over from earlier cleaning can act like sandpaper and are a risk to any surface, no matter how well-sealed it is,’ reveals Nadine Chadwick, Head of Marketing at Nolte Kitchens. It’s also important to only use microfibre cloths when cleaning matt kitchen cupboards as regular cloths or paper towels can leave lint and streaks behind, the experts concur.

3. Start cleaning

Once you’ve removed all of the dust, it’s time to dampen a second microfibre cloth – not the one you just used to remove any dust and debris. But it is incredibly important that you wring it out well. Essentially, ‘the cloth should feel barely damp to touch,’ according to Catherine. This is because you don’t want ‘moisture to enter the bar handles or edges, causing the wood to swell,’ Nadine warns.

Once your cloth is damp but not wet, work in small sections, using gentle circular motions – rather than up-and-down or side-to-side wiping – to clean the entirety of each door, paying extra attention to handles and edges where grease tends to build up.

4. Rinse

It’s time to take another microfibre cloth – see, that’s why we recommend picking up a pack of at least four for cleaning jobs such as this – but this time you only want to dampen it with water. And this will allow you to wipe each section to remove any soap residue.

Just ‘remember to rinse your cloth frequently to ensure a streak-free finish,’ Catherine advises.

5. Finish by drying thoroughly

With a fourth and final microfibre cloth, this one should be completely dry as it will be used to dry each and every cabinet door, making sure that no moisture remains. Much like when you were cleaning, you’ll want to dry in small, gentle circular motions to buff the surface. And according to Catherine, ‘this step is crucial for preventing water marks and streaks.’

FAQs

How do you get fingerprints off matt kitchen cabinets?

‘Fingerprints can show up on matt kitchen cabinets due to the oil in our skin which leaves a residue behind on the surface,’ Sarah explains. So, ‘if washing up liquid and water doesn’t remove the marks, it’s time to use a solution of white vinegar and water.’

Cleaning with vinegar works because ‘vinegar is a natural acid and it will cut through the greasy fingerprints without damaging the surface of the cabinet,’ Sarah continues. You’ll want to create ‘a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water,’ Catherine adds. But you should always test on a small, hidden area first, before applying it all over.

In most cases, if the fingerprints are fresh, you should be able to wipe these away with a slightly damp microfibre cloth. However, ‘for particularly stubborn marks, you can rub a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water on the surface until the surface is clean,’ Sarah proposes.

While you should never use any abrasive cleaning materials on matt surfaces, as they can leave scratches, this bicarb solution is much more delicate. Don’t forget to rinse it off with some clean water and dry well with a new cloth afterward but that should help to break down any tougher dirt or grease.

How do you keep matt cabinets clean?

As with most things, keeping on top of the cleaning will save you from having to do an especially deep clean. And the best way to keep matt cabinets clean is to get into a good routine of wiping them down regularly and thus preventing the buildup of dirt, grease or stains. Make this a part of your daily cleaning routine, or even part of your Sunday reset.

‘A regular quick wipe with a clean, slightly damp microfibre cloth can prevent the build-up of grease and grime,’ Catherine suggests. ‘Make it a habit to wipe down cabinet fronts once a week, paying special attention to areas around handles and edges where fingers naturally touch. And always use gentle, circular motions and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners which can damage the matt finish.’