how to clean matt kitchen cupboards.

Got matt kitchen cupboards? 

Fed up with the endless fingerprints that stick to the surfaces and from some angles make your kitchen look like a crime scene under investigation? We hear you.

Matt cupboard doors are a design favourite and certainly look fantastic BUT we want our kitchen looking streak-free and in some lights those matt surfaces sure do show up every mark, smear and print. 

Thank goodness smol has an easy-to-follow step by step guide to clean your matt doors.

step-by-step guide:

1. prep your mix.

To get ready for your clean, mix a small drop (literally, just a drop) of mild washing-up liquid, like smol’s, into a bowl of warm water. Less is more! No need to drench anything, just a hint needed! And smol’s plant-powered pink grapefruit washing up liquid can’t be beaten here - it’s gentle enough for your matt cupboard surfaces but its grease-busting skills will finish off those filthy fingerprints!

2. first… a quick dust

Take your dry microfibre cloth and have a quick dusting session. You’ll want to remove any dust that’s hanging around to scratch your matt surfaces when you start the real cleaning.

N.B. A quick note about microfibre cloths. Yes, they are great for certain cleaning jobs BUT when washed they will shed microplastics (they contain a significant amount of plastic after all). SO… when washing your microfibre cloths in the washing machine - place them inside a microfibre laundry bag to catch the shed fibres and prevent them from entering our water supply.

3. wipe down.

Dampen your microfibre cloth in the washing up liquid and water solution, but wring it out really well. It should feel barely damp. Now, work in small sections, moving your hand in gentle circular motions (not side to side or up and down). Those handles and edges? Give them some extra attention because grease likes to hide there.

4. rinse.

Take a fresh, water-dampened cloth and wipe off any solution that might be left behind. Rinse your cloth often so it stays fresh and clean.

5. time to dry.

Before watermarks think about setting up home on your freshly cleaned matt surfaces… grab a dry cloth and gently buff each section. This is your magic touch for keeping your cupboards streak-free.

So there you have it. The easy-to-follow guide to streak-free matt kitchen cupboards. And if you’ve still got questions… we’ve got you covered below with our top 3 FAQs about cleaning matt kitchen surfaces.

why are matt cabinets harder to clean?

Matt surfaces tend to need a little more TLC than their glossy counterparts. This is because matt surfaces don't reflect light, making every fingerprint and scuff instantly visible. It's not a flaw, it's just science. The microscopic texture of the matt finish catches oils and dirt, leaving those unwelcome streaks behind.

how can you clean matt surfaces without leaving streaks?

The secret’s in the tools. Always use a clean microfibre cloth. Never use too much water or soap, and work in small sections with circular motions. Buff with a dry cloth right after cleaning to keep things streak-free.

Happy cleaning!