How to Keep Your White Kitchen White

Becky Dietrich, Houzz Contributor

White kitchens bring a clean, light feel to any home, but many homeowners express concern about how to keep those cabinets looking pristine. In reality, the best way to maintain that sparkle is to never use your kitchen, but if you insist on actually cooking, you are likely to encounter yellowing cabinets, accumulations of grease, and stained and marred sinks and countertops. What fun.

The truth is, you dont need to be nuts to own an all-white kitchen. Just a little diligent, and armed with the tips below.

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Why do those sparkling white cabinets start to yellow? The first culprit is exposure to direct sunlight, which tends to jaundice or fade painted wood (and laminated surfaces). You should consider draperies, blinds or window film to shield your cabinets from direct sunlight.

The second culprit is actually using your cooktop. As soon as you start cooking, those mouthwatering aromas rise into the air in the form of microscopic food or grease particles, and since they have to land somewhere, why not on your white cabinets? The result? Cabinets that turn yellow.

To prevent this, you cant let grease accumulate on your cabinets. As soon as you begin boiling, broiling or deep-frying, turn on the exhaust fan or range hood to filter out at least some of those minuscule bits before they reach the surrounding surfaces.

Writer Lorna Hordos suggests removing a yellow tinge this way: Wash your cupboards with a fizzy mixture of 1 cup vinegar, 2 cups warm water and 1 tablespoon baking soda. To keep cabinets white, give them a monthly bath with a solution of warm water and a grease-busting dish soap.

How to keep the rest of your white spaces looking great

Then there is the inevitable muck and grime that accumulate from oil and grease splatters. The folks at Kemper Distinctive Cabinetry remind you to not use abrasive cleansers or scouring pads on painted cabinets, as they can scratch or dull the finish. A soft cotton cloth dampened with warm water is usually sufficient.

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How to Keep Your White Kitchen White