How to keep your kitchen cabinets looking brand-new

Keeping wood cabinets looking good in an RV is one of those small wins that makes the whole rig feel cleaner and, well, just nicer.

Grease, fingerprints, and road dust hide in grooves and around cabinet pulls. The following tips will help you remove that grimy buildup. They can also protect your RV’s cabinets’ finish and avoid any water damage.

Be gentle

The first tip is to be gentle. Wood cabinets have finishes that protect the wood but can be damaged by harsh chemicals, excessive water, or abrasive scrubbing. This applies to all RV cabinets, whether solid wood, veneered plywood, or thin lightweight cabinet faces used in many RVs.

Always avoid soaking the wood. Keep soft, dry towels at hand to thoroughly dry cabinets immediately after cleaning. This will prevent swelling or finish damage. For regular maintenance, light, damp wiping prevents grease from bonding to the finish and becoming a bigger job later.

What you’ll need

The good news is that you likely already have everything you need to clean your RV kitchen cabinets. Gather together these supplies: Three clean microfiber cloths or towels, an old, soft-bristled toothbrush, a non-abrasive sponge, Dawn dish soap, and a bucket.

Hint: I keep all of my cleaning supplies inside a bucket. The bucket keeps products upright and safe for travel days.

When to clean

I usually clean our RV’s kitchen cabinet fronts one day, then I clean the inside of the cabinets another time. Because really, who wants to spend hours cleaning cabinets when attractions, activities, and s’mores await?

That said, if it’s a rainy day and you are stuck inside your rig anyway, enlist the help of family members. Together you’ll make quick work of cleaning cabinet insides and outsides.

The method

Here’s how I clean our RV kitchen cabinet exteriors:

• Begin by dusting the exterior of the cabinet. Use a soft cloth (microfiber cloth #1) to gently remove dust. Wipe back and forth, with the wood grain if present. Begin at the top of the cabinet and work toward the bottom.

• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove dust and grime in the cabinet crevices and moldings. Pay special attention to the corners. (That’s where grunge likes to hide.)

• In a bucket, mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap (like Dawn). Dip a clean, soft cloth (microfiber cloth #2) into the bucket and squeeze out excess water. Wipe the cabinet door (going with the grain) from top to bottom. Do not soak the cabinet. Excess water can warp the wood or cause a laminate facing to pull away or buckle.

• If this initial wipe down fails to remove stubborn grease spots, wrap the toothbrush with the soapy cloth and gently wipe again. Excessive grime buildup may demand several reapplications of soapy solution, but Dawn should remove it.

Tougher grease and stains?

If gentle soap-and-water won’t cut the grease, try a gentle cabinet cleaner. I use a small amount of Murphy’s Oil Soap diluted as directed. It’s formulated to remove grease while conditioning the wood.

Avoid heavy chemical degreasers (like undiluted TSP, bleach, or ammonia-based cleaners) because they can dull or strip varnish and damage veneers.

After degreasing, always rinse with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly (dry microfiber cloth #3). For old, baked-on grease you may need repeated gentle passes rather than one aggressive scrub.

Restore shine

Once the cabinet is clean and dry, apply a thin coat of a natural wood wax or a cabinet cream polish to restore depth and add a light protective layer. Apply the product to a rag and rub with the grain, then buff with a clean cloth. Don’t oversaturate the surface. RV interiors collect dust, and excess polish can attract it. Frequent light wipe-downs with a dry microfiber cloth will keep the shine longer.

Laminated or thermofoil cabinet faces

Laminates are less porous than real wood but are more sensitive to abrasive tools. Wipe with a mild dish soap and warm water solution, use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, and avoid scouring pads.

For sticky or greasy spots try a paste of baking soda and water applied gently with a cloth. Never use solvents that can melt or discolor the laminate edge seams. Test any new cleaner on a hidden spot first.

RV-specific cautions

• Keep cleaning water and liquids to a minimum. Work with well-wrung cloths to prevent drips that can get into seams and cause delamination. (Note: I do not use spray applications because I can better control drips by using the microfiber cloth.)

• Work on one cabinet face at a time so you can dry it immediately.

• Avoid using solvents inside your RV without good ventilation.

• For glued or veneered edges that are lifting, stop cleaning and carefully inspect the area. If you see obvious laminate separation, continued washing can worsen the detachment. You can repair the delamination yourself (watch this video for instructions). Or you can consult an RV repair shop for repair.

Maintenance

A quick wipe with a damp microfiber cloth after cooking prevents buildup. Do a more thorough wipe-down every two to four weeks, depending on how much heavy cooking you do in the rig. Perform a deep clean and interior cabinet refresh (empty shelves, clean, and reorganize) once or twice a year. Regular small efforts beat long, hard scrubs and reduce the risk of harming finishes.

When to call a pro or the manufacturer

If your cabinet finish is peeling, veneer is lifting, or you’re unsure what finish the manufacturer used, check the RV builder’s care instructions. For structural damage, persistent delamination, or finishes that react badly to cleaning, a professional RV technician or cabinet refinish specialist can advise you.

How about it?

We usually prepare most of our food on our outdoor grill. That said, I still notice a bit of grease buildup on our RV kitchen cabinets from time to time. Cleaning the cabinets is really easy and does not require complex or expensive products. And I love the clean, shiny results.

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