How to Clean Metal Cabinet Hardware

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Whether you have metal cabinet hardware made of antique brass, modern stainless steel or something in between, it requires regular cleaning. The dirt and bacteria from your hands and the grease from cooking can leave your metal cabinet hardware looking and feeling grubby. If the hardware appears very dirty or tarnished, you might need to remove it to get it thoroughly clean. Keep your cabinets and its hardware looking new by adding it to a regular weekly or monthly cleaning routine.

cabinet handle

Soap and Water

1. Fill a bowl or sink with warm water and add a squirt of dishwashing liquid or olive-based soap. Swish the water around with your hand to make suds.
2. Dip a rag into the soapy water and wring it out.
3. Wipe the cabinet hardware with the soapy rag. For tough grime, dip a soft toothbrush into the water and scrub.
4. Rinse the rag, wring it out and wipe the cabinet hardware to remove the soap residue.
5. Buff the hardware with a dry chamois cloth to polish and shine it.

Vinegar Cleaning Solution

1. Pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle and shake the bottle to mix.
2. Spray a rag with the vinegar solution until it is damp but not dripping.
3. Wipe the hardware with the vinegar-soaked cloth. Rinse the cloth if necessary and wet it again with the vinegar mixture.
4. Buff the hardware with a dry chamois cloth for a nice polish and sheen.

Removing and Soaking

1. Unscrew the cabinet hardware from the inside with a screwdriver.
2. Fill a sink or bucket with hot water and add enough dishwashing liquid to make suds. If desired, add 1/2 cup white vinegar.
3. Submerge the hardware in the soapy water for several hours or overnight.
4. Remove the hardware from the water one piece at a time and scrub it with a soft toothbrush. If the hardware is tarnished, spray the toothbrush with white vinegar and sprinkle the bristles with table salt before scrubbing.
5. Rinse the hardware and buff it with a chamois cloth to restore shine.