How to Clean White Laminate Cabinets that have Yellowed?

White cabinets create a timeless and versatile look, making your space feel brighter. However maintaining pristine white laminate cabinets can be challenging, especially when they become yellow over time.

This common issue can make your kitchen look aged and unclean, even if it’s spotlessly tidy. However, you can restore your cabinets to their original brilliance with the right approach and a few simple steps.

In this blog post, we will guide you through various methods to get your cabinets bright again. Choose the method that is better in your case and get started now.

Table of Contents

Causes of Turning White Laminate Cabinets Yellow

Before you begin to clean white laminate cabinets that have yellowed, It’s crucial to know about the causes to protect your white cabinets from yellowing in the future.

Sunlight Exposure: Longtime exposure to direct sunlight can cause white laminate cabinets to yellow over time.
Smoke and Cooking Residue: Frequent cooking can release grease and smoke particles that settle on surfaces, including cabinets.

Harsh Cleaning Products: Using harsh or abrasive cleaning products can damage the laminate’s surface and contribute to yellowing.
Aging: As laminate cabinets age, the materials can naturally discolor and turn yellow. This is often deepened by other factors like heat and light.
Moisture: High humidity and moisture levels can lead to yellowing of laminate cabinets. Water damage can affect the finish and cause color changes.

Method 1: Cleaning by Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are natural, non-toxic cleaning agents that are effective in tackling tough stains and yellowing on white laminate cabinets. This method is an ideal solution for maintaining the integrity of the laminate surface while effectively removing discoloration.

Steps:

Gather Your Supplies: Collect baking soda, white vinegar, a soft sponge, a spray bottle, and a clean cloth. These common household ingredients will help restore your cabinets.

Prepare the Solution: In a spray bottle, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Shake well to mix the solution evenly for effective cleaning.
Apply Baking Soda: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly onto a soft sponge. This will act as a gentle abrasive to clean the surface without scratching.
Spray the Solution: Lightly spray the cabinet area you want to clean with the vinegar solution. Ensure the surface is damp but not overly soaked to prevent damage.

Scrub Gently: Using the baking soda-covered sponge, gently scrub the dampened area in circular motions. Focus on yellowed spots to lift stains effectively.
Wipe Down Surfaces: Wipe down the scrubbed area with the rinse sponge, removing the baking soda residue. Ensure no cleaning solution or residue is left behind.
Dry with Cloth: Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe down the cabinet surface. This step helps prevent moisture damage and leaves a polished, clean appearance.

Choosing this method for cleaning yellowed cabinets is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, it utilizes common household ingredients, making it both cost-effective and easily accessible. Additionally, this method avoids harsh chemicals, ensuring a safer environment for you and your family.

Method 2: Cleaning with Ammonia Solution

Choosing this method to clean yellowed cabinets is particularly advantageous for tackling stubborn stains and heavy yellowing. Ammonia is a powerful cleaning agent that effectively breaks down grease and grime, which are common causes of discoloration.

Steps:

Gather Your Supplies: Collect ammonia, water, a soft sponge, a spray bottle, rubber gloves, and a clean cloth. These items will help you safely and effectively clean your cabinets.
Prepare the Solution: In a spray bottle, mix one part of ammonia with four parts of water. Shake the bottle well to ensure the solution is thoroughly mixed.
Protect Yourself: Put on rubber gloves to protect your skin from the ammonia solution. Proper ventilation is also recommended, so open windows or turn on a fan.

Apply the Solution: Lightly spray the cabinet surface with the ammonia solution. Ensure the surface is dampened evenly to start loosening grime and yellowing.
Let It Sit: Allow the solution to sit on the cabinet surface for about 5 minutes. This gives the ammonia time to break down the grease and discoloration.
Scrub Gently: Using a soft sponge, gently scrub the treated area in circular motions. Focus on areas with heavy yellowing to lift stains effectively.

Rinse the Sponge: Rinse the sponge with clean water to remove any remaining ammonia solution. Wring out any excess water to avoid overly wetting the cabinets.
Wipe Down Surfaces: Wipe down the scrubbed area with the rinse sponge, ensuring all residues are removed. This helps prevent any ammonia from drying on the surface.
Dry with Cloth: Use a clean, dry cloth to thoroughly dry the cabinet surface. This step ensures no moisture is left behind, preventing potential damage to the cabinets.

This approach is especially suitable for cabinets that have not responded well to milder cleaning solutions, ensuring a thorough and revitalizing clean.

Related post: How To Fix Peeling Laminate Cabinets?

Method 3: Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Choose hydrogen peroxide to clean yellowed white cabinets when regular cleaning fails to remove stains caused by grease or grime. It’s ideal for non-abrasive cleaning that gently lightens and restores the original color.

Steps:

Gather Supplies: You’ll need hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, a soft sponge, a spray bottle, rubber gloves, and a clean cloth for this cleaning method.
Prepare the Mixture: Mix half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl. Stir gently until the baking soda is fully dissolved.
Pour into Spray Bottle: Carefully pour the hydrogen peroxide mixture into a spray bottle for easy application.

Protect Yourself: Wear rubber gloves to avoid direct contact with the hydrogen peroxide solution. Ensure the area is well-ventilated by opening windows or using a fan.
Apply the Solution: Lightly spray the cabinet surface with the hydrogen peroxide mixture, ensuring the area is evenly coated to start loosening grime and yellowing.
Let It Sit: Allow the solution to sit on the cabinet surface for about 10 minutes. This gives the mixture enough time to break down any grease and stains.

Scrub Gently: Gently scrub the treated area with a soft sponge in circular motions, focusing on spots with heavy yellowing to lift the stains effectively.
Wipe Down Surfaces: Wipe down the scrubbed area with the rinse sponge, ensuring all residues are removed to prevent any solution from drying on the surface.
Dry with Cloth: Use a clean, dry cloth to thoroughly dry the cabinet surface, ensuring no moisture remains that could potentially damage the cabinets.

Maintenance Tips

After cleaning white laminate cabinets that were yellowed, It’s time to follow some maintenance tips to protect your white laminate cabinets from being yellow again.

Regular Cleaning: Keep your cabinets free from dust by regularly wiping them down with a microfiber cloth. This simple task helps prevent build-up that can dull the finish over time.

Immediate Spill Clean-Up: Address spills immediately to prevent staining and moisture damage. Use a soft cloth dampened with warm, soapy water to clean the affected area and then dry it thoroughly.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Use mild cleaners specifically formulated for wood or cabinet material. Avoid harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, or abrasive cleaners that can damage the finish.
Use Cabinet Liners: Place liners inside your cabinets to protect the surfaces from spills, stains, and scratches caused by items stored inside. This can also make cleaning the insides easier.

Control Humidity: Maintain a consistent indoor humidity level to prevent the wood from expanding or contracting, which can lead to warping or cracking. Use a dehumidifier in particularly damp areas.

Following these maintenance tips will help keep your cabinets looking their best and ensure their longevity. Properly caring for your cabinets will not only enhance the visual appeal of your kitchen or bathroom but also protect your investment in the long run.

FAQs

Can you use bleach on laminate cabinets?

No, it is not recommended to use bleach on laminate cabinets. Bleach can be too harsh and may cause discoloration or damage to the laminate surface. Instead, opt for a mild detergent mixed with warm water to clean your cabinets. For tougher stains, consider using a specialized laminate cleaner.

Does vinegar damage laminate?

Using vinegar on laminate surfaces should be done cautiously. While vinegar is a natural cleaner, its acidity can potentially damage the laminate if used in high concentrations or left on the surface for too long. If you choose to use vinegar, dilute it with water (a 50/50 mix) and always wipe it off thoroughly with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth to prevent any damage.

How do you clean discolored laminate cabinets?

To clean discolored laminate cabinets, mix mild dish soap with warm water and gently scrub with a soft cloth. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry immediately. For tough stains, use a baking soda paste. Test any cleaning solution on a small area first.

Final Thoughts

White laminate cabinets can enhance the overall beauty of the room but also can become a headache when not cleaned regularly. They lose their beauty when turned yellow with time. However, with the right guide, you can get back the white look again.

We put our full effort to help in cleaning your laminate cabinets that were yellowed. We hope it helped you to get rid of yellowed laminate cabinets.

Moreover, if you need any sort of assistance about cabinets tell us by leaving a comment in the comment box below. We will do our best to help as soon as we can. GOOD LUCK!