Because most cabinets are painted with a high-gloss or semi-gloss paint, they will be more durable (and easier to wipe clean) than, say, a matte finish wall paint, but you do want to take care not to use anything so harsh that you end up striping the paint or damaging the finish.
Bertch's finish process on painted cabinets results in a durable surface that is easy to wipe clean. But you'll want to avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that might strip the paint or damage the finish.
White kitchen cabinets are actually no harder to keep clean than any other. Sure, they aren't as forgiving as darker colors, but that doesn't mean they have to be any less durable or easy to clean and maintain.
Detailed Patterns, Warped or Damaged Cabinets
If your cabinets have detailed patterns or they are warped, chipped, cracked or have other damage to them, then painting your kitchen cabinets is not the way to go – it most definitely won't solve your cabinet problem.
On average, this trend alone can boost a home's value by $1,547. By painting your kitchen cabinets and then pairing them with some new hardware that dollar amount can increase significantly.
Even though there are some drawbacks to white kitchen cabinets, they will never “go out of style.” The shapes of the doors or the layout of the kitchen may go out of style, but white in a kitchen will always look good.
Painted kitchen cabinets can be very durable and look as good as new a decade after painting. But only if they are painted right. The durability of painted kitchen cabinets depends on the type of paint used, the application method and the number of coats applied.
White cabinets appear easier to get dirty
Because white does not hide any stain or smudges, white is easy to look dirty and requires more maintenance or upkeep to keep the white cabinets in pristine condition.
Water-based polyurethane is well-suited for low-sheen flat, eggshell or satin latex paint. If you painted your cabinets with any of these paints, apply a water-based poly over the top to prolong the life of the finish. Do not apply water-based polyurethane over the top of gloss latex and acrylic enamel.
These versatile cleaners are made from natural vegetable oils, and are safe to use on any kind of wood—including flooring, chairs and cabinets. Dilute a gallon of warm water with this soap, and use a soft rag dipped in the solution to wipe down your cabinets.
Glossy Paint Finishes
Be careful when using Magic Erasers on painted surfaces with glossy finishes. The abrasive eraser can damage the finish and make it look dull and uneven. Here are 16 genius cleaning hacks you'll want to steal from professional house cleaners.
Vinegar is the go-to natural cleaner when faced greasy cabinets. Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist on cabinets, let sit for a minute or two and then wipe clean with a soft cloth.
Laminate Cabinets: The easiest way to treat a laminate cabinet is with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Using the same method to remove scuffs (as detailed above) just dampen the sponge with a little water, then squeeze it a few times to activate its cleaning foam.
After painting dozens of kitchens, I recommend cleaning kitchen cabinets with TSP or Trisodium Phosphate. TSP is a powerful degreaser that cuts through grease and dirt like a hot knife through butter. This cleaner is very cheap and mixes up in minutes with hot water.
Fingerprints: The oily residue on fingers can leave behind unsightly marks on cabinet doors and hardware. Cleaning kitchen cabinets with vinegar will easily remove fingerprints. Dampen a cloth in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar, apply to the prints, and buff clean with a polishing cloth.
White cabinets can open up a small kitchen and give the illusion of more square footage. It can transform a small kitchen to look much bigger. When kitchens lack natural light or windows, white cabinets can make space feel brighter and more natural.
White is the one color or finish of cabinetry that will be forever timeless. White is used in a wide range of kitchen styles. It can be modern and sterile or warm and soft. It can even be casual or formal.
To keep your white cupboards looking bright and fresh, create a cleaning solution with one cup of vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda, and two cups of warm water. Dip a rag in this solution, wring out the access liquid, then wipe down your cupboards. Do this at least once a month.
They look beautiful, but the paint is not hard like I would expect- it's tacky and sticks to things and scratches off easily. I used Sherwin Williams Emerald trim enamel.
Friction from loose hardware can cause paint to tear, chip and peel, even if you've used the best paint for kitchen cabinets. Regularly tighten hardware to prevent it from contributing to a paint chipping problem. Sometimes the paint on kitchen cabinets peels behind closed doors — literally.
Many professionals now use latex paint, citing the improvements to the formula and the as-good-as finish they can get on most surfaces. We actually prefer a third type of paint for cabinets, the hybrid enamel.
Many people tend to clean their kitchens more often when they have white kitchens because stains can conceal easily. Our tendency to clean white cabinets has been increased due to the fact that stains are more easily spotted than those on darker cabinets.
Natural materials, like wood and stone, are always in style. Have your contractor install maple, birch, or cherry cabinets. Look for stone options such as granite, limestone, or slate. Your kitchen will be stylish and trendy both now and in the future.