Bathroom Cabinet Care: How To Maintain Your Bathroom Cabinet?

How To Maintain Your Bathroom Cabinet?

Bathroom care and maintenance do not only involve ordinary cleaning. It goes beyond regular cleaning to considering the lifespan of your bathroom fixtures.

When it comes to bathroom cabinets, everyone would undoubtedly want their cabinet to look as good as it did when it was first constructed. However, you cannot just sit back and assume that the bathroom accessory will maintain its sleek look without any effort.

Hot showers generate steam frequently. This may lead to the wearing off of cabinetry materials, and that’s why constant maintenance is necessary.

Failure to observe the basic bathroom cabinet care comes with its negative impacts. One such effect is the buildup of dirt and grime that may become a health hazard.

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According to NBC News, your bathroom is a perfect bacteria host. E.coli can be detected six feet beneath the sink.

However, to keep it at bay, you must disinfect the sink at least once a week and once in two weeks for the freestanding bathtub. The disinfection should be done more often if you use your shower frequently.

The disinfectants are also necessary to avoid mildew that can cause eye, skin, and throat irritations.

Besides, observing the regular bathroom cabinet care and maintenance will help keep off dust buildup. It also makes your everyday clean-up work easier.

Most importantly, you get to increase the cabinet’s overall lifespan, and in return, you enjoy long-term service.

So, do you wish to enjoy the lasting benefits of a well-maintained bath cabinet? Fortunately, there are best ways to help you maintain your bathroom cabinets for many years ahead.

To learn more, follow the tips we will discuss in our article below.

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To start you off, it helps to have a bathroom cleaning checklist. With the checklist, you will always ensure that you do not miss out on the critical aspects of care and maintenance.

We have included other bathroom elements since they also add up to the cabinetry’s cleanliness and beauty.

The essential check items include:

• Declutter the countertops
• Hang up the towels
• Clear off and wipe down cabinet counters
• Disinfect the toilet
• Sanitize the sink
• Clean the sink and shower drains
• Vacuum and mop the surrounding floor
• Polish the mirrors
• Scrub shower and bathtub
• Wash shower curtain and liner
• Wash bathroom rugs and shower mat
• Clean trash can
• Organize the cabinet
• Dust the baseboards

Below is a quick recommendation for cleaning the bathroom cabinet with the same substances used for cleaning the freestanding bathtubs. 

It’s a fact that having a stand alone tub may require you to have cleaning products ready at your disposal. You need the cleaners to avoid things like grime build-up. But did you know that you can also use some of these materials to clean your bathroom cabinet? 

For example, the materials that you use to clean your freestanding bathtub can also be used to clean your bathroom cabinet. 

However, always make sure that you position your standalone tub and shower far from your bathroom cabinet.

With the frequent and extensive soaking in the bathtub’s hot water, the steam might ruin the cabinet’s finish.

Besides, some space between the cabinets and the tubs allows for easier cleaning around the bathroom areas. This will help you maintain clean bathroom spaces. 

Fortunately, if you already have your tub close to the cabinet, you don’t have to worry about the water damage on your cabinet’s finishes. This is because the freestanding bathtubs can be adjusted at any time.

So, what are these materials used to clean and maintain your bathroom cabinet?

This is the most straightforward way to clean your bathroom cabinets. It mainly works perfectly for wooden cabinets.

How do you do this? Take a mild dish soap, mix with warm water, and then use a clean sponge to wipe your cabinetry down. Use one teaspoon of liquid soap for one cup of water.

Depending on the number of cabinets you have, you can increase the oil soap quantity. However, you shouldn’t use too much water; use the amount needed for gentle cleaning. You then use a dry cloth for wiping to eliminate all the unnecessary moisture.

You can also apply the soap and water in the form of splatters. It’s faster and more effective when you splash the oil soap on your cabinet doors and cabinet surfaces. You then use a clean cloth as a touch-up to dry the surface of the cabinets.

Do not forget to use dish soap and dishcloth to store the soap and damp cloth to avoid cases of slippering on the bathroom floor.

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Take the same measure of both vinegar and water and mix them. Use a soft cloth to wipe the cabinets’ surfaces.

When you dilute the vinegar with water, it becomes a mild and safe cleaning agent for your wood cabinetry. It also helps to preserve the cabinet’s finishings and cannot bleach your furniture polish. It’s only that the vinegar’s strong odor makes some homeowners avoid using it.

Baking soda is mild and also forms a remarkable cleaning agent. It’s simple to use – you only need to make a baking soda paste by mixing it with adequate water. After mixing the two, you then use a soft cloth to clean your cabinets.

However, you should be very careful with this cleaning method. Despite being mild, baking soda is an abrasive cleaner. By cleaning vigorously, you may end up tarnishing the cabinet’s wooden material.

The same may cause permanent damage. So, you should be gentle and avoid rubbing too much paste.

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Hydrogen Peroxide is an effective bathroom cleaning agent. Most importantly, it doesn’t cause any harm to the person using it or to the environment.

Homeowners use it to clean their in-built or freestanding bathtubs. However, the same can be used to clean the bathroom cabinet surfaces.

You only need to pour or apply some hydrogen peroxide on the surface and then wait for some time. Afterward, use a sponge or a damp cloth to clean the spot.

Since hydrogen peroxide contains antibacterial properties, homeowners also use the chemical-free product to clean other bathroom surfaces. It helps to eliminate germs and bacteria.

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Borax is often used in the laundry. However, most professional cleaners use it as a cleaning product to clean their bathroom surfaces thoroughly. 

Apart from cleaning the freestanding tub faucet and sinks, you can also use it to clean your bathroom cabinets. 

The substance helps to eliminate toxic substances like mold that may build up on the cabinet surfaces due to moisture. 

Some people also use Borax with vinegar and lemon juice to clear the drain and clean their freestanding tub accessories. 

Others also use it with baking soda and vinegar to clean particular cabinet surface materials like stainless steel.

Most homeowners who have freestanding soaking tubs enjoy using essential oils in cleaning their bathtubs. They enjoy the pleasant fragrance generated from different types of essential oils. The lovely aroma relieves their minds as they soak themselves calmly in their tubs.

But, do you know that many professional cleaners use essential oil in their bathroom cabinets and kitchen cabinets too.

The best thing about essential oils is that they are natural ingredients. They also have antibacterial properties. Most importantly, they help in eliminating the foul odor.

You only need to add a few drops of the essential oil in an all-purpose cleaner and then apply it on your cabinet surfaces. You can also choose the oil that gives you the best fragrance. If you have laminate countertops, using essential oils will make them appear sparkling clean.

To keep bacteria and germs at bay, it helps to mix your essential oil with other materials like vinegar, Borax, hydrogen peroxide, or ascorbic acid.

Some essential oils include Clove Bud, Sage, Petitgrain bigarade, Vetiver, Coriander, Juniper Berry Lemon, Lime, Orange, Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Grapefruit, Rosemary, Thyme, Palmarosa, Citronella, Wintergreen, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Spearmint, Oregano, Cinnamon bark.

For the grime on freestanding tub faucets, putting 3 to 4 drops of citrus oil directly on the area with dirt is often recommended. You then clean using a toothbrush.

When wiping down cabinet surfaces, take a soft wet cloth and put two drops of any pure essential oils above. You then wipe down the surfaces.

As mentioned earlier, it’s best to mix with other cleaning agents like hydrogen peroxide. You can also use a mixture of two different essential oils and add them with other cleaning materials.

You can mix the materials as follows:

• 3 drops Lavender oil
• 2 drops Bergamot oil
• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1/2 cup Borax
• 1/4 cup Salt

Procedure:

• Mix all the ingredients above in a sealed plastic container that also has a shaker top
• Shake the mixture thoroughly and let it stay overnight before using it
• Sprinkle a tiny amount directly on the cabinet surfaces or use damp clothing or sponge to apply the mixture
• Rinse well with water.

Caution: Most people like using marble and granite to make their stone cabinet tops. This is okay. However, you need to note that these are porous types of stones. Hence, they can easily stain or get damaged by frequent exposure to chemicals.

You want to be especially careful not to expose your cabinet surfaces to acidic liquids such as vinegar, lemon, or nail polish remover. They can eat away at the stone’s surface. Furthermore, grease, oils, and petroleum products can form stains that may be almost impossible to get rid of.

So, anytime you want to place heavy objects on your stone cabinet top, consider placing pads beneath to prevent them from scratching the cabinet’s surface.

Also, don’t place the heavy items on the cabinet’s surface for too long. It may cause the wearing away of the stone.

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With regular care and maintenance, it only takes you less time with minimal effort to keep your bathroom cabinet looking brand new.

Below are important tips to help you keep your cabinets looking neat and attractive for many years to come.

Most substances that spill on the cabinets may become hard to remove. If you take too long to wipe them off, they may end up staining or causing other damage.

So, whenever there’s a spill on the cabinet surfaces, ensure you wipe it off immediately. Use damp clothing to wipe, and then dry the surface.

When getting rid of the spillage, try to use a blotting style rather than a wiping style. It works best and ensures no scratches on the cabinets.

Also, avoid using steel wool on your wooden cabinet. It may scratch the surface of the cabinets and damage the wood finishes.

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Take note that moisture is one of the worst destroyers of surface finishes. Cabinetry located close to the bathroom sink and standalone tub and shower are most susceptible to moisture.

Always dry off any areas with water spillage immediately. Also, avoid placing wet towels or other wet items on the cabinet doors.

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Temperature extremities can cause wood cabinets to expand and contract. As a result, it may warp or swell, possibly drying out. It may also cause permanent damage to your cabinet’s solid wood.

The only way out is to control your home’s temperature all through. Otherwise, you might be forced to replace your bathroom cabinets when they could still last you many years ahead.

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Always clean the cabinet surfaces using soft, damp clothing. Avoid the use of abrasive cleaners and scouring pads that may destroy the cabinet’s fine finishes. Also, avoid using paper towels since they can leave behind some troublesome residues.

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The harsh types of detergents can damage your cabinetry finishings. Keep offers cleaners that contain ammonia, citric acid, organic solvents, and bleaches. Always work with a mild detergent.

Please note that ordinary self-polishing waxes can damage your wood surfaces. If you find it necessary to use the waxes, apply the high-quality cream furniture polishing. You can find them at paint stores or high-end furniture houses.

In case you can’t remove some stubborn stains, forceful rubbing may worsen the situation. Instead, the best thing you need to do is apply the paste and leave it for around 20 minutes. This way, you can wipe it down quickly.

Overall, bathrooms are one of the home areas that we use daily. Hence, it’s very crucial to observe its everyday cleaning and maintenance aspects.

It’s also essential to observe the routine care of components like the bathroom cabinetry and bathtubs. Consider having at least two cabinets in your bathroom to open up significant countertop spaces.

This way, your bathroom will look neater. Furthermore, you get to enhance your bathroom’s beauty and add to the lease of life there.

Think about when you get into a clean and well-maintained bathroom. You easily enjoy relaxing shower time or relaxing bath moments in your freestanding soaking tub. Such are the moments that can take your breath away and relieve your mind from your day’s stresses.