To maintain your kitchen’s upper cabinets looking good, lightweight shelf paper on the seams, and creating a habit of drying any wetness off of dishware you might shop there, may be all you need. Protecting the seams of lower cabinets is more of a challenge, however. Leaks, spills and regular use can damage the surface of the cabinet bottoms and even raise the danger of mold and mildew growth. With proper care and maintenance, it is possible to protect the insides of your lower cabinets and preserve their condition.

Start Fresh

If the insides of the kitchen cabinets have already suffered any damage, repair them. Placing a protective covering over existing spills or leaks can trap moisture and create a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Under-sink cabinets are especially prone to water damage, but fluid and food can splash anywhere at a kitchen. Clean spills with household detergent and a damp cloth and dry the cabinet thoroughly with a fan. If you discover a little bit of mold in the cabinets, put on a protective mask and eliminate the mold by wiping and scrubbing the area down with a bleach alternative. Apply a coat of mildew-cide paint to the bottom to prevent future mold growth. If you suspect your cabinets have a significant mold infestation, then consult with a specialist.

Choose a Liner

A kitchen lower cabinets typically serve several distinct functions. The cabinets under the sink typically hold household cleaners. Another cabinets might be utilized to store pots and pans, small appliances or cupboard items. Pick a liner for every single cabinet that provides the protection it needs. Non-adhesive liners, which is removed for cleaning, can be found in a variety of fashions. To get under-sink cabinets, choose a waterproof liner with a smooth feel that you may wipe easily. Use a padded liner to protect the base of a cabinet that houses heavy cookware or canned products. In cabinets that have light use, adhesive-backed paper produces a protective surface that’s affordable and simple to clean. Vinyl tiles provide lasting, heavy-duty protection for cabinet seams, though installation requires some DIY skills.

Install Drawers and Shelves

Liners protect the seams of the kitchen cabinets by spills, dents and scrapes, but a closet storage system also reduces the danger of damage. In deep cabinets, install sliding cable drawers to hold pots and pans. The drawers allow easy entry to heavy cookware without pulling it over the floor of the cabinets. If you use your kitchen lower cabinets as a pantry, outfit them with wire shelves which permit you to store and stack items without creating the prospect of a damaging avalanche of jars and cans. The plumbing in under-sink cabinets makes them vulnerable to moisture from leaks and condensation. You’ll have to be vigilant for water problems in this area, but you can decrease the danger of spill damage from keeping cleaning products in plastic bins.

Keep Them Clean

No way of protecting the interior of your kitchen cabinet is foolproof. Liquids can make their way round the borders of liners and into the gaps between vinyl tiles. Over time, shelf liners may become less successful. To maintain your lower cabinets safe from damage, address any problems as they arise. Check the liners periodically and replace them once they show signs of tear and wear. If spills — which are unavoidable in a kitchen — occur, wipe them up and make sure stains and moisture don’t seep through the liner to the surface of the cabinet seams. The under-sink cabinets require special vigilance. Repair any leaking pipes immediately and continually be on the lookout for mold and mildew.

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