How To Keep High Gloss Kitchen Units Clean (with little effort)

When we had our new kitchen fitted about 8 years ago, there was only one type of kitchen cabinet I wanted, and that was high-gloss.

I still love my kitchen 8 years later.

Why? Because it’s so easy to care for, and I think the gloss looks gorgeous too.

My cupboards are cream-colored. I think the color is officially known as ‘vanilla’.

So, they are nearly white, but not quite. I think they still have the same cleaning challenges as white, but I think black would have been harder to keep clean as the watermarks show up so much more.

My previous kitchen had wooden veneer doors. They were actually harder to clean because of the grooves.

I love that now I can clean my kitchen doors with just a few swipes!

The best way to clean your high-gloss kitchen units is to only use water.

All you need to keep your high-gloss kitchen units clean is a damp microfiber cloth. Gently wipe off splashes and greasy marks. Then follow with clean dry cloth.

Heads up: I sometimes use affiliate links. When you click these links and make a purchase, I may get a small commission. It won’t cost you anything but it helps me to run this site.

How to keep high-gloss kitchen units clean

Things you will need

2 microfiber cloths. 1 damp, 1 dry.
Water.

That’s it!

Step 1 - Dampen a clean microfiber cloth

Start by dampening your microfiber cloth. Run it under the cold tap and then wring out as much water as you can.

Step 2 - Wipe

wiping a kitchen door with a damp microfiber cloth

Wipe over each cabinet front in turn. Don’t rub hard.

I like to use my microfiber cloth in sections. When one part is dirty, I refold and then use another clean section. That way, the dirt stays in the cloth.

If you run out of clean sections on your cloth, grab another one.

Step 3 - Wipe with a dry microfiber cloth

The last step is to take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe over again. Your cupboards should then be shiny and grease free.

If you have one to hand, you can equally use a microfiber glass cleaning cloth. The effect will be just as good.

Tips for keeping your kitchen cupboards clean

Immediately clean up spills. Splashes always happen. If you see dirt, grab a damp cloth and wipe it as soon as you can.
Do a regular dust with a dry microfiber cloth. Take a dry cloth and wipe over each cabinet. The more often you can do this, the easier it will be.
Avoid all chemical cleaners, including baking soda, and bleach. When it comes to cleaning glossy surfaces like kitchen cabinets, water is always the best option.
Always dry after to stop watermarks forming. Watermarks can spoil the look of the gloss, especially black. After wiping with a wet cloth, always follow with a dry cloth.
Rub marks gently to avoid scratching. High-gloss kitchen cabinets are quite easy to scratch. Always use a new cloth when you wipe, and avoid scrubbing hard.

Related reading:

The best cleaner for gloss kitchen cupboards

If you are wondering what the best cleaner is for high-gloss kitchen cupboards, know that the answer is something very simple, plain water!

I don’t recommend any other cleaner.

In all the time we have had glossy kitchen cupboards, I have never needed to reach for anything stronger than plain water and a microfiber cloth.

How often should you clean your high-gloss kitchen cabinets?

A daily wipe with a dry cloth will keep your glossy kitchen cabinets looking gorgeous.

If that isn’t something you have time for, I recommend going through the cleaning steps I gave above at least once a month.

If you have a busy kitchen, you may wish to clean your cabinets a little more often than monthly.

Frequently asked questions

Are gloss kitchen cupboards easy to clean?

I find my glossy kitchen cupboards easy to clean. It helps that they are completely flat, with no grooves for dirt to collect in. All that’s needed is a quick wipe over with a dry microfiber cloth. As long as I do that regularly, they stay looking their best.

Can you use Zoflora on high-gloss kitchen cupboards?

I don’t recommend you use Zoflora disinfectant for your kitchen cupboards. If you are concerned about killing germs, your best option is to regularly wipe your cupboard doors with a dry microfiber cloth. By doing that, you remove the dirt and grease that germs feed on.

Can you steam clean high-gloss kitchen cupboards?

High-gloss kitchen cupboards do not fare well in steamy environments. The white glossy units we have in our bathroom have started to bubble up underneath, and now we wish we had gone for something else in there.

For that reason, I recommend you do not steam clean your cupboards or any part of your kitchen if you have high-gloss cupboards.

Can I use vinegar to remove the stains on my kitchen’s high gloss cabinets?

Vinegar has a multitude of uses around the house, but cleaning high-gloss kitchen cabinets should not be one of them!

Vinegar has a high acid content. It is safe to use for many cleaning jobs around the house, but it could damage the shiny surface of glossy kitchen cupboards.

My recommendation is to use water only.

Can I use bleach on my white gloss kitchen units?

Bleach should not be used on high-gloss kitchen units because, with repeated use, it can damage the surface. I recommend you use a simple microfiber cloth and plain water.