Ditch the Fancy Cleaning Products This March – Your Kitchen Cabinets Will Sparkle if You Switch to This Inexpensive, Non-Toxic Liquid for Spring Cleaning

As lovely as it is to see the sun shining through the window as we welcome in the new season, the downside is that those rays highlight the buildup of dust and dirt in your home, particularly the grease and grime that accumulates on your kitchen cabinets. But before you whip out those expensive and potentially toxic products, take a look in your cupboards for some white cleaning vinegar. The experts swear by this inexpensive substance for quick, easy, and sparkling results.

It might not be your favorite task, but tackling those kitchen cabinets with a deep clean should certainly be on your ultimate spring cleaning checklist. All that oil from frying and surface splashes from food can really build up over time, and the longer you leave it between deep cleans, the more elbow grease will be required to combat sticky, dried-on stains.

Luckily, I've enlisted the help of the experts for their advice on how to clean a kitchen like a pro, using this underrated cleaning liquid – white vinegar (Walmart). Plus, I've found all the other things you might need for the job, from a non-toxic glass spray bottle (Target) to a multipack of microfiber cleaning cloths (Amazon) that will be gentle on all surfaces.

Cleaning Buys to Help Your Kitchen Sparkle

Why Should I Ditch my Specialist Products For White Vinegar?

There are many reasons that white vinegar makes a wonderful alternative to specialist cleaning products, from price (it's very affordable), to the fact that it's versatile (you can use it for lots of things, not just cleaning kitchen cabinets), it's a non-toxic cleaning product (making it a green and safe option for your home and family), and it leaves a streak-free finish.

'Most people assume they need a specialty cabinet cleaner, but in reality a simple vinegar solution is often the safest option,' Andrea Mulkey, President and Co-Founder of custom kitchen cabinetry company, ACO of Denver explains. 'Vinegar contains acetic acid, which helps break down grease and mineral buildup. Kitchen cabinets collect a surprising amount of airborne cooking oils, and vinegar cuts through that buildup quickly, without leaving a film behind.'

Andrea adds: 'Many commercial cabinet cleaners actually contain petroleum-based oils. Those products may temporarily make cabinets look shiny, but they also leave residue that attracts more dust and grime over time.'

White vinegar is also a great multi-tasker. Some cleaners target one specific problem, but as Jessica English of Mountain Top Cleaning & Maintenance in Tennessee explains: 'Vinegar cleans grease, and combats odors, and bacteria all at once.'

How do You Use White Vinegar to Clean Kitchen Cabinets?

Andrea recommends mixing 3 parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle (like Target's glass spray bottle). 'Lightly spray onto a microfiber cloth (available at Amazon), not directly onto the cabinet, wipe with the grain of the wood. Follow with a dry microfiber cloth if needed,' she says. 'Microfiber is important because it lifts grease and dirt without scratching furniture-grade finishes. Paper towels are okay; however, they sometimes leave unwanted fibers behind.'

It's a good idea to dilute it, as the acidic nature of vinegar can degrade certain surfaces over time if you use it neat. Andrea adds, 'The key is dilution and using a soft cloth rather than abrasive pads.' Whilst Jessica suggests 'In some instances, I also add a few drops of dish soap for those cupboards with tougher grease buildup.'

Is White Vinegar Safe to Use on All Kitchen Surfaces?

No. There are certain surfaces that you shouldn't use white vinegar on due to its acidic content, which can break down, or etch the finish. Jessica advises: 'Vinegar is not recommended for use on natural stones such as marble, granite, and travertine because the acid has a tendency to slowly eat away at the finish.'

Cameron Figgins, President of Absolute Maintenance & Consulting in Los Angeles warns 'Don’t use it on natural stone backsplashes either for the same reason.' It is also not suitable for unsealed wood cabinets or waxed surfaces. Cameron explains: 'Vinegar will also darken wood grain on unfinished wood and raise the moisture content of the wood, which can cause warping and cracking.'

Whilst most MDF cabinets are treated to be resistant to water and cleaning products, you should still take care and stick to a diluted solution. 'Most sealed and painted cabinets do well with the use of diluted vinegar, but it is still important to test it on a small area that is not visible,' advises Jessica.

What Else Can I Clean With White Vinegar?

There are many other household things you can clean with vinegar, including kitchen surfaces like floors, tiles and sinks, as long as they're not hardwood, stone, or granite. Cameron says: 'If you use it on your stainless steel sink and faucets, once a month is fine, but don't let it sit on the surface, as it will pit your sink and remove the shine.'

He also advises against using it to clean kitchen flooring made from vinyl and laminate: 'these finishes will also lose their ability to repel water with enough exposure to vinegar.'

What if I Don't Like the Smell of White Vinegar?

The beauty of vinegar is that it evaporates quickly. 'The vinegar scent fades quickly as it dries,' says Andrea. 'If it bothers you, you can add a small amount of lemon peel or a drop of mild dish soap to the mixture.'

Jessica adds: 'The good news is that it dries in about 10-20 minutes in a well-ventilated room. But if you really don't like the smell of vinegar, you can always add a few drops of lemon, orange, or lavender oil to your cleaning mixture.' Try Walmart's Pure Essential Lemon Oil, which will give the vinegar solution a fresh scent without altering the cleaning power.

If reading this has set things in motion for tackling the rest of the house, consult our expert guide to creating the perfect deep cleaning schedule, and before you know it your home will be gleaming from top to bottom.

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