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When it comes to painting cabinets, the first step isn’t picking a color. It’s cleaning. Before you sand, prime, or even tape off your kitchen, you need to remove the years of grime, grease, and residue. No matter how high-quality your paint is, skipping this step can compromise the final finish and lead to premature failure. So, what to clean cabinets with before painting? This blog will walk you through everything you need to know so you don’t waste your time, effort, or money.
Why Cleaning Cabinets Before Painting Is Essential
Your cabinets may look clean, but appearances can be deceiving. Most kitchen cabinets are covered in an invisible film of grease, fingerprints, smoke residue, and cooking oils. Paint won’t bond to that. And if it doesn’t bond, it peels, chips, or blisters, and you’re left redoing the job within months.
Cleaning isn’t “nice to have.” It’s the cornerstone of a long-lasting, professional-looking finish.
What Happens If You Skip the Cleaning?
Skipping cabinet cleaning is like building a house on sand. Here’s what you’re risking:
- Paint adhesion failure.
- Uneven coverage.
- Peeling, bubbling, or cracking.
- Stains bleeding through paint.
- Wasted materials and time.
Understanding what to clean cabinets with before painting means you’re choosing quality and confidence right from the beginning.
Not all cleaners are created equal. Some are too harsh for wood. Others leave residues that block paint. Below are the most effective and safe cleaners professionals recommend when asked what to clean cabinets with before painting.
1. TSP (Trisodium Phosphate)
TSP is the gold standard when it comes to degreasing surfaces before painting.
- Strength: High
- Best For: Heavy grease, kitchen cabinets, old finishes.
- Use: Mix with warm water per label instructions, apply with sponge, scrub, rinse thoroughly.
Important: Always wear protective gloves and safety goggles, and rinse the surface twice to ensure all residue is thoroughly removed.
2. Commercial Degreasers (e.g., Krud Kutter, Zep)
These products are formulated for tough kitchen messes and are easy to find at home improvement stores.
- Strength: High
- Best For: Oil buildup, food residue, cooking splatters.
- Use: Spray directly, scrub with non-abrasive pad, rinse well.
3. Vinegar and Warm Water
A more natural, eco-friendly alternative, perfect for lightly soiled surfaces or as a final rinse.
- Strength: Mild
- Best For: Light cleaning, freshening up cabinets.
- Use: Mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water, it’s simple and works great.
Tip: Add a small amount of dish soap to enhance the solution’s ability to cut through grease.
4. Dish Soap and Hot Water
Basic but effective, especially when paired with a scrub pad.
- Strength: Moderate
- Best For: Everyday dirt, fingerprint removal, surface grease.
- Use: Mix in a bucket, dip cloth or sponge, scrub, and rinse.
5. Deglossers or Liquid Sandpaper
These products are designed to clean surfaces and dull glossy finishes in a single step, simplifying prep work.
- Strength: Moderate
- Best For: Glossy or semi-gloss finishes.
- Use: Wipe on with cloth, allow to dry, no rinsing needed.
How to Clean Cabinets Before Painting: Step-by-Step
Once you’ve chosen what to clean cabinets with before painting, it’s time to put that cleaner to use. The process takes some effort, but it sets the stage for great results.
Step 1: Remove Cabinet Doors and Hardware
You want a clean, paint-ready surface, and that means working on flat, accessible parts.
Here’s what to do
- Unscrew all doors, hinges, and knobs.
- Stick some painter’s tape on each door and mark where it goes, it’ll save you a headache later.
- Store hardware in labeled plastic bags.
Step 2: Dust and Vacuum First
Before using any liquid cleaners, remove dust, crumbs, or debris. Otherwise, you’re just smearing dirt around.
- Use a microfiber cloth, hand vacuum, or shop vac.
- Get into corners, edges, and grooves.
Step 3: Apply Your Chosen Cleaner
Knowing what to clean cabinets with before painting really pays off here. Depending on your chosen product:
- Prepare the cleaning solution by mixing it in a bucket or transferring it into a spray bottle for easy application.
- Use a sponge or scrub pad.
- Work from top to bottom to avoid dirty drips.
- Scrub inside and outside of doors, cabinet frames, and drawer fronts.
Tip: Focus extra effort around stove and sink areas, they’re usually the dirtiest.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Failing to rinse is one of the top mistakes homeowners make. Leftover cleaner residue can cause paint to bubble or lift.
- Use clean water and cloth to wipe everything down.
- Change water as needed to avoid spreading residue.
Step 5: Let Cabinets Dry
Don’t rush this. Wood and laminate surfaces need to be completely dry before sanding or priming.
- Air dry for at least 12–24 hours.
- Use fans to speed up drying if needed.
- Avoid direct heat or sunlight that can cause warping.
How to Clean Different Types of Cabinets
The material your cabinets are made of affects how you clean them. One size doesn’t fit all.
Wood Cabinets
Wood is porous and absorbs moisture, so be cautious.
- Avoid soaking.
- Clean with TSP or dish soap.
- Dry quickly to prevent swelling.
Laminate Cabinets
Laminate is easier to clean but doesn’t bond with paint as well.
- Use a degreaser or vinegar.
- Be thorough with rinsing.
- Lightly sand after cleaning for better adhesion.
MDF Cabinets
Medium-density fiberboard is vulnerable to water damage, especially on the edges.
- Use minimal water and only slightly damp cloths.
- Avoid scrubbing aggressively.
- Skip vinegar and use a mild soap instead.
Knowing what to clean cabinets with before painting isn’t enough, you also have to respect the surface you’re working with.
Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid Before Painting Cabinets
Even with the best tools and intentions, some habits can totally mess up your paint job. Here are mistakes to avoid:
Using Abrasive Scrubbers
Steel wool or harsh scouring pads can gouge surfaces.
- Use non-abrasive scrub pads or soft brushes.
- Gentle pressure goes a long way.
Skipping the Rinse
Even “no-rinse” cleaners can leave residue under the wrong conditions.
- Always rinse with clean water after using a cleaner.
- Double-check corners and inside grooves.
Using Bleach or Ammonia
These harsh chemicals can damage wood and react poorly with paint.
- Stick to paint-safe options like TSP or commercial degreasers.
- Read all labels carefully.
Conclusion
Cleaning your cabinets may not be the most exciting step in a painting project, but it’s essential to achieving a smooth, lasting finish. Knowing what to clean cabinets with before painting sets you apart from the average homeowner who skips steps and ends up disappointed.
This is your chance to create something lasting, something that transforms your home, lifts your environment, and gives you a sense of progress every time you walk into the room. Great finishes don’t start with paint. They start with preparation.
Clean Like You Mean It
Whether you use TSP, dish soap, or a commercial degreaser, the goal is the same, removing anything that could stop your paint from sticking. Take your time with this step. Scrub thoroughly. Rinse well. Let every surface dry fully.
A well-cleaned cabinet is the best starting point for a paint job that lasts. When you prep properly, the painting process becomes easier, smoother, and far more rewarding. And that’s what turns an average update into a true transformation.