How to Clean and Maintain Black Kitchen Handles

Wondering how to clean and maintain black kitchen handles? We hear you! Kitchen handles and drawer pulls are some of the most touched surfaces in your home. You’re always opening and closing your drawers and cabinets so is no surprise your cabinet hardware to always be on your cleaning list.

If you are looking to enhance the appeal of your favorite furniture pieces, well-maintained kitchen handles go a long way. Needless to say, your black kitchen handles, even though they may conceal some of the grease and grime, still need a thorough clean, especially if you wish to keep them for a long time.

With the right method, you can ensure your kitchen handles stay clean and look like new for a long time. Keep reading and find out different and effective techniques for cleaning and maintaining black kitchen handles; check out other types of Black Cabinet Knobs.

How to Clean and Maintain Black Kitchen Handles FAQ

How do you clean grime off handles?

  1. Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1 pint of water.
  2. Wipe them with this solution and a soft rag, try buffing them until the tarnish and dirt are gone.
  3. Then just rinse with clear water and wipe dry with a clean rag. There are commercial products that will do the same.

How do you clean old metal handles?

  1. Mix 1 tablespoon each of salt, flour, and vinegar until it forms a paste.
  2. You can use a toothbrush to brush it onto the handles, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then wash it off with warm water.
  3. Buff the handle to a nice shine with a clean, lint-free cloth.

How do you clean tarnished stainless steel handles?

The easiest and safest way to clean your stainless steel door hardware is to use a soapy, damp soft cloth and then rinse with clean water. However, for stuck-on gunk or stubborn residue, you can create a mixture of equal parts of olive oil and vinegar.

How to remove tougher stains from different metal variants?

  • For copper, rub lemon or a mixture of salt and vinegar to get rid of grime.
  • Chrome and steel hardware can be easily cleaned with a vinegar-soaked cloth but for rusts, use an aluminum foil soaked in water and then scrub. Avoid using steel wool or rough cloth on stainless steel, since they can damage the surface.
  • Brass is beautiful but tarnishes easily. This can be treated with a mixture of vinegar (½ cup), salt (1 teaspoon), and flour. Alternatively, you can use a chemical cleaner like Brasso.
  • On the other hand, the pewter never tarnishes and can be easily cleaned with vinegar, salt, and flour paste.
  • To clean kitchen cabinet hardware made of silver, mix 1 tbsp. ammonia with 1 pint of water and wipe with a soft cloth.

How do you restore kitchen handles?

  1. Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1 pint of water.
  2. Wipe chrome and steel knobs with this solution and a soft rag, buffing them until the tarnish and dirt is dissolved.
  3. Rinse with clear water and wipe dry with a clean rag.

How to Clean and Maintain Black Kitchen Handles

Method 1: Soap and Water

  1. Using a rag or dish towel, dampen the cloth with the soapy water mixture and wring it out. You want it to be wet but not dripping.
  2. Wipe down the cabinet hardware with the towel. The first time you do this you might have to use a little elbow grease to take off any grime that’s built up.
  3. After you wipe down all the hardware, rinse the towel in clean water and wring it out. Go over all the hardware again to remove any soap residue. Don’t skip this step; if you don’t rinse off the soap, it could leave watermarks and make them look dirtier than before.
  4. Lastly, use a microfiber cloth to polish it for a little extra shine.

Dawn Dish Soap Ultra

Concentrated formula helps you get through more dishes with less dishwashing liquid. Original Scent. 50% Less Scrubbing.

Dawn Ultra has 3X more grease-cleaning power per drop, so you can get through more dishes with less.

No matter what you’ve got cooking in the kitchen, Dawn dishwashing liquid will leave your dishes squeaky clean every time.

How to clean and maintain black kitchen handles: Dawn Dish Soap Ultra

Features:

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Method 2: Vinegar

  1. Another simple solution you can make with common household items is a vinegar cleaner.
  2. Simply take a 1:1 ratio of distilled white vinegar and water and mix them in a spray bottle.
  3. Spray a rag or dishtowel with the solution. Just like the soap and water method, you don’t want it dripping so make sure it’s just damp enough.
  4. Wipe down all the hardware and then use a microfiber cloth to buff it for extra polish.

Harris Cleaning Vinegar, Mandarin

Harris Cleaning Vinegar cleans and refreshes. The combination of vinegar and essential oils removes dirt, grease, and grime safely from most household surfaces.

Use stainless steel, ceramic, glass, and much more. For use in kitchens, bathrooms, and more on windows, showers, toilets, etc.

Make chemical cleaners a thing of the past with this safer vinegar essential oil formula.

How to clean and maintain black kitchen handles: Harris Cleaning Vinegar, Mandarin

Features:

  • Mandarin Scent
  • Powerful Cleaner
  • Versatile

Reusable Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Instantly equip yourself with all you need for a sparkling home with the E-Cloth Home Cleaning Set.

Seven specialized microfiber cleaning and polishing cloths master every mess; all with just water. Additional dusting cloth traps particles ordinary dusters simply push around.

Cleans with the power of masses of precision-engineered microfibers, plus water’s molecular might. No need to add additional cleaners.

How to clean and maintain black kitchen handles: Reusable Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Features:

  • Eco-savvy
  • Effective
  • Reusable

Method 3: Soaking

  1. Unscrew all the cabinet hardware. To do this, simply take a screwdriver and untwist from the back of the cabinet or drawer.
  2. Separate the screws from the knobs and pulls. You shouldn’t have to soak the screws unless they are in bad shape.
  3. Fill a large bucket or sink with hot water and dish soap. Again, you’re looking for a good amount of suds.
  4. Place all the hardware in the bucket or sink and let the hardware sit for 4-6 hours.
  5. Remove the hardware one piece at a time. Using a soft toothbrush or sponge, scrub the piece until any remaining dirt or grime is gone. Lay the finished hardware on a clean towel to dry completely.
  6. Once dry, reinstall the knobs and pull on the doors and drawers.

Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set

Ratchet design breaks through the limitations of the direction, convenient switch for forward and reverses ratcheting and locking position, saves time and effort.

Patented auto-locking, quick-load ratchet mechanism provides a one-handed bit loading lock.

Slip-resistance grip for comfortable holding and higher torque output. Features with ergonomic handles, reduce hand labor during use.

How to clean and maintain black kitchen handles: Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set

Features:

  • Alloy Steel
  • Ergonomic Handle
  • Quick-load Design

How to Clean and Maintain Black Kitchen Handles Additional Tips

  • If salt and vinegar do not remove heavy tarnishing from brass, use a product designed for removing tarnish following the product’s instructions.
  • Always dismantle your cabinet hardware entirely so that you can clean the knobs, pulls, hinges, and other parts thoroughly.
  • When soaking hardware in a cleaning solution, ensure that they are fully submerged for best results.
  • Sometimes oil from your skin might leave fingerprints on surfaces when cleaning, so avoid direct contact.
  • Always leave your hardware parts to dry completely before mounting your cabinets again.
  • To sanitize cabinet hardware after someone in the family has been sick, dilute 1/4 cup liquid chlorine bleach in 3/4 cup hot water, spray it on the hardware and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before wiping it away.
  • Rubbing alcohol adds a nice shine to metal cabinet hardware as it removes water spots.

Author

Photo of author
Shirley Anderson, has a background in home decor and design, Shirley has been providing her expertise to many homeowners since 1995. She has spent countless hours researching different types of handles for cabinets and drawers, as well as other decorative items such as knobs, pulls and latches.
Photo of author
Shirley Anderson, has a background in home decor and design, Shirley has been providing her expertise to many homeowners since 1995. She has spent countless hours researching different types of handles for cabinets and drawers, as well as other decorative items such as knobs, pulls and latches.