The pandemic has seen more people spending time in their kitchens. While in lockdowns, NPR reports that people from across the world became home cooks, started baking, frying, and cooking just about any type of meal imaginable. And while sharpening your culinary skills is a great way to spend time, it also means that there will be so much cooking residue to contend with – not just on the countertops, but in cabinets, too.

Kitchen cabinets get dirty, fast. But with these tips, you can ensure that they'll be in great shape.

A Bit of Dusting Goes a Long Way
Intensive cleaning is needed every so often to keep your kitchen cabinets in tip-top shape. However, if you want to minimize the frequency with which you have to do it, you need to do some regular dusting. While it may not seem like much — and may even seem counterintuitive at times — it's important to remember that dust can build up on cupboard exteriors, especially if you do a lot of frying in the kitchen. Fine particles of oil are likely to settle on all surfaces, and they often act like a magnet that attracts dust. You can easily prevent dust building up with regular dusting, ideally with a lint-free cloth or duster. By doing this, it will prevent a combination of oil and dust from forming sticky, stubborn residue, which invites even more dust when left alone.

Empty it All Out & Clean
For more thorough cleaning, try emptying the contents of your cabinets. Start with the highest cabinet and work your way down, emptying everything and then using a vacuum to remove crumbs and residue. Now is a good time to remove and replace any torn or discolored shelf lining. Next, spray cabinet doors, cabinet walls, and interior shelves with Vital Oxide and wipe clean with a damp (but not soaked) microfiber cloth to remove food smudges, dust build-up, grease build-up, and lingering cooking odors that are stuck to your cabinets. 

Once that's done, don't put back the contents just yet. You may want to consider getting lazy susans or turntables to organize the contents of your cabinets, which HomeServe’s Laura Rudd explains can make finding things like cans and jars much easier. You can also try installing tension rods to create more space for cleaning products and tools, so you get easy access to them the next time you decide to do a deep clean. The important thing is maximizing the space you have, and emptying the cabinets allows you to recalibrate your shelves and organize them just how you want them.

Maintain a Schedule

When it comes to taking care of your kitchen, consistency is key. It's best to maintain a cleaning schedule that hinges on how often you cook at home. If you happen to cook daily, writer Sarah Aguirre recommends doing a daily wipe down. But if you only cook once or twice a week, wiping them down once or twice a week with a soft, clean cloth is enough. Then again, if you're the type to barely spend time in the kitchen, you should keep in mind that dust will still accumulate. Make it a point to wipe down the cabinets at least once a week to eliminate any dust and dirt hanging around. And when it comes to the interiors of the cabinets, every few months is ideal — perhaps every quarter to keep them clean and free of insects and grime.