All-white cabinets and countertops have a tendency to turn yellow over time when exposed to high amounts of direct sunlight. If not properly protected, the jaundice-like effect can cause major regret after only a few years.
Keeping your white cabinets white
Keep white cabinets out of direct sunlight to prevent them from turning yellow. To make a kitchen feel warm and inviting and useful you need plenty of sunlight and a functional space to cook.
"Yellow" cupboards are often caused by defective, aging finishes or airborne grease that settles over everything (even the ceiling!) over time, causing sickly yellow and tacky surfaces. An all-natural homemade cleaning solution can work wonders.
Related Articles. White painted cabinets give your kitchen a clean, airy look, but they can turn yellow with time. Oil-based paints, also known as alkyd paints, sometimes take on a yellowish cast because of the way they cure, especially if your kitchen doesn't get much sun.
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.
-Like almost any product in this color scheme, white cabinets may easily show dirt, smudges, scratches or food particles from cooking. -They show signs of aging, such as cracks or discoloration, far more easily than cabinets in other colors.
White kitchens get dirty.
Unlike darker cabinets that can hide everyday grime—like fingerprints and smudges—light colored cabinets will only make them more noticeable. Dust and dirt that you might not have even thought about in other rooms will show in a kitchen that's predominately white.
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.
With proper care of professionally painted kitchen cabinets, you can expect your newly painted cabinets to last 8-10 years. However, there are a few things that can drastically shorten this timeframe, leaving you needing them repainted 3-4 years later.
A paint becomes oxidized over time as the enamel is diluted with air. As a result, white gloss paint becomes yellow when exposed to sunlight. Natural and artificial light can therefore be used to give oil-based paint its natural colors.
Apply a marker to flaws that match the color of the cabinetry staining. Fill in dents and worn spots with a putty. Apply a new coat of paint, or re-stain the cabinets to restore its former look and feel. Use a polyurethane coating to assist with the removal of cabinet imperfections.
Of all the colors, white cabinets are most likely to fade over time, especially if they are exposed to direct sunlight. There are also issues where if you place your white cabinet next to a stove vent, there may be discoloration on the cabinet as a result of cooking oils.
However, if the veneer is made from a synthetic composite material such as melamine resin, the white tends to take on a yellowish hue over time, greatly diminishing the initial appeal. Understanding the cause of the tarnished tint provides insight into both prevention and maintenance of white veneer.
When you cook, excess moisture and grease particles may form on the surface of the laminates. This may turn the white surfaces into yellow over time. Excess moisture can also affect the quality of your laminated cabinets.
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.
Durability. If you desire the most durable cabinet finish, then stain is the best option. Stained cabinets are easy to touch-up and don't show marks or scuffs as easily as painted cabinets. It's easy to find touch-up tools that closely match your cabinet stain.
Prevent Painted Cabinets From Chipping
Look for products labeled "peel bonding primer" or "peel stop." As long as the current coat of paint isn't chipping or peeling, you can apply these primers directly over top of the existing paint after a thorough cleaning.
Wipe Cabinets with a Microfiber Cloth
Our first and most important trick for keeping your white cabinets clean is to wipe them down regularly. It might not be groundbreaking, but it works! Use a clean microfiber cloth and warm water to wipe splatters off the walls and cabinets as soon as you spot them.
White Kitchen Cabinet Maintenance
A quick wipe-down with warm water, dishwashing liquid, and a soft cloth will prevent discoloring. If that feels like too long in between cleanings, loveandrenovations.com recommends wiping down your cabinets with a baby wipe or Clorox wipe every night.
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.
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.
All-white cabinets and countertops have a tendency to turn yellow over time when exposed to high amounts of direct sunlight. If not properly protected, the jaundice-like effect can cause major regret after only a few years.
When looking for kitchen color ideas, you may be tempted to opt for a classic all-white palette – but according to designers, this desired tone may have fallen out of favor. The hue has endured for decades, however, changing paint trends suggest that this neutral shade is no longer in vogue.
How Long Should A New Kitchen Last? Most manufacturers say that a whole new kitchen remodel – which includes countertops, cabinets, tiles, flooring, and more – should last for at least 20-25 years before it needs replacing.
Too much white can mean that a space feels clinical and cold, rather than clean and crisp. To avoid this type of situation, consider adding a splash of color or texture, mixing white cabinets with contrasting countertops or backsplashes.