Choosing Kitchen Cabinet Materials for Easy Cleaning

Beautiful kitchens inevitably get dirty, but selecting the right cabinet materials and surface treatments can make cleaning and maintenance significantly easier. In this guide, we'll explore kitchen cabinet materials and surface finishes that combine style with practicality, covering their ease of maintenance and offering valuable cleaning tips.

Understanding Different Cabinet Materials and Surface Finishes

Choosing the right cabinet involves understanding how various materials and finishes react to daily use. Lifestyle, cooking frequency, and household composition (including children and pets) should guide your selection.

Common materials and finishes include:

• Matte and Supermatte Surface Finishes

• Glossy Surface Finishes

• Wood Veneer Materials

• Glass Front Materials

• Laminate Surface Finishes

Matte and Supermatte Surface Finishes

Supermatte Laminate:

Pros

These ultra-matte panels offer anti-fingerprint performance, low light reflectivity, and a soft, velvety touch that hides smudges exceptionally well™. FENIX® NTM, used widely in European kitchens, even allows thermal repair of micro-scratches using heat, which is unique among matte finishes 

Cons

Oil stains or deep-set marks require extra attention.

Cleaning Tips

For everyday cleaning, use a Sidolin-style glass cleaner (see on Amazon) with a microfiber cloth, followed by a warm water rinse.

For persistent stains (such as cooking oil, ink, or ingrained fingerprints), gently use a Magic Eraser (melamine sponge), dampened with water, in light, circular motions only. Then, rinse thoroughly and dry.

Standard Matte Laminate:

Pros

The textured, matte surface naturally hides fingerprints, smudges, and minor scratches, making it ideal for high-traffic family kitchens. It also imparts a warm, inviting aesthetic without glare or shine.

Cons

It may lack the luxurious depth and ultra-matte finish of premium supermatte options like FENIX® or LEICHT’s BONDI program.

Cleaning Tips

Everyday maintenance: Wipe surfaces using a warm water and mild dish soap solution (like Dawn) with a soft microfiber cloth. Always follow by drying with a clean, dry cloth to prevent water damage or streaking.

Tougher grease or food stains: Apply a gentle paste of baking soda and water, let it sit briefly, then lightly scrub and rinse thoroughly before drying

Using vinegar: A diluted vinegar-water mixture (50/50) can help cut through greasy buildup, but first test it on a small area to ensure compatibility with the laminate finish.

Avoid abrasive scrubbers, strong chemical cleaners (especially those containing bleach or ammonia), and excessive water exposure—these can scratch or dull the laminate surface, potentially causing the substrate to swell.

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Explore Leicht's Matt and Supermatt programs:

This example from LEICHT’s CLASSIC FS‑Q program showcases a standard matte lacquer finish—textured y

A door from LEICHT’s F 45 program, crafted using original FENIX® NTM super‑matt laminate, prized for

From LEICHT’s BONDI program: a premium super‑matte lacquer door featuring fingerprint‑resistant, ant

Glossy Surface Finishes (Paint, Laminate & Glass)

Pros

Glossy cabinetry shines instantly with a polished appearance and is straightforward to wipe clean—ideal for keeping your kitchen looking fresh with minimal effort.

Cons

Fingerprints, smudges, and cooking spills show up immediately, especially on darker, glossy surfaces.

Cleaning Tips

Use a soft microfiber cloth (avoid abrasive materials) with a mild glass cleaner or a solution of warm water and dish soap. Always apply cleaner to the cloth—not directly onto the surface—to avoid streaks and potential damage.

For tougher smudges or fingerprints, a 50/50 vinegar‑water solution can help dissolve oils. Gently wipe and immediately follow with a damp cloth to rinse, then dry thoroughly. 

Treat kitchen grease with spot cleaning using a soft sponge or cotton cloth dampened with a mild solution. Rinse and buff dry with a clean cloth for a streak‑free shine. 

A luxurious full kitchen remodel featuring LEICHT’s LARGO‑FG high-gloss front—its lacquered finish reflects ambient light beautifully, creating a bright, spacious feel while staying easy to clean and maintain. Perfect for modern, minimalist interiors.

Wood Veneer Cabinet Materials

Pros

Wood veneer brings the rich, authentic grain and warmth of real hardwood to your kitchen cabinetry while offering superior dimensional stability, thanks to its engineered substrate (typically MDF). It's less prone to warping or cracking compared to solid hardwood, making it a wise choice for panel-heavy applications, such as doors and wall-mounted cabinets.

Veneer also aligns with eco-smart design, using thinner layers of hardwood over engineered cores to reduce resource usage while maintaining a natural wood appearance.

Cons

While durable, veneer is more susceptible to scratching, chipping, or moisture penetration than laminate or synthetic finishes if exposed to water for prolonged periods. Sealing and immediate drying are essential after cleaning spills.

Cleaning Tips

Clean wood veneer gently with a pH-neutral oil soap, such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, diluted in warm water to condition the surface and lift light grease.

Daily wiping with a damp microfiber cloth and mild dish soap (e.g., two drops of Dawn in a gallon of water) followed by thorough drying helps keep it looking its best.

Do not use acidic or abrasive cleaners (like vinegar or scouring pads) that could dull the grain or damage the sealant.

For minor scratches or chips, use a color-matched veneer touch-up or repair kit to restore surface smoothness and visual integrity.

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Explore Leicht's wood veneer programs:

LEICHT’s BOSSA wood veneer program features a vertical-structured oak or walnut surface with express

The TERMA program uses thermally treated wood veneer, creating deep, warm color variations and contr

LEICHT’s MADERO wood veneer doors embrace a rustic yet elegant style with open knots, cracks, and na

Handle vs. Handleless Kitchen Cabinetry (Cleaning & Maintenance)

Cabinets with Handles:

Pros

Handles provide a dedicated grip point and are easy to clean individually with mild soap or a degreaser—ideal for everyday maintenance.

Removing handles periodically for deep cleaning (especially with heavy-use kitchens) helps eliminate accumulated grime from corners. In some cleaning communities, soaking handles in warm soapy water with vinegar or using a degreaser like Krud Kutter or Dawn Powerwash has proven effective for stubborn grease. 

Cons

Grime and fingerprints tend to accumulate around the base of handles, and high-touch zones, such as handles themselves, require more maintenance time. 

Handleless Cabinets (Integrated Profiles):

Pros

A true handleless system, with a built-in profile (such as GOLA), offers smooth, uninterrupted surfaces with fewer crevices, making daily wipe-downs simpler and more streamlined—ideal for minimalist kitchens and hygienic upkeep.

Cons

Channel profiles and J-pull grooves can accumulate dust, crumbs, and grease over time, especially in high-traffic kitchens. These areas require occasional targeted cleaning.

Cleaning Tips

Wipe down integrated profiles and grooves weekly with a microfiber cloth dampened in warm, soapy water (using mild dish soap mixed with lukewarm water or a gentle cleaner). Use a soft brush or cotton swab to gently clean deeper recesses, removing dust and dirt buildup. Then, rinse and dry thoroughly to prevent moisture damage.

A streamlined LEICHT kitchen project using the Contino handleless system, showcasing slim 12 mm lacquer or aluminum fronts, smooth integrated finger-pull profiles, and seamless horizontal continuity—designed for minimal maintenance and visual harmony.

Quick Comparison Table

Cabinet Type	Pros	Cons	Cleaning Difficulty
Supermatte	Anti-fingerprint, modern look	Oil stains challenging	⭐⭐⭐
Glossy	Quick cleaning, vibrant finish	Fingerprints highly visible	⭐⭐
Glass Front	Sleek, easy cleaning	Visible smudges	⭐⭐
Wood Veneer	Warm, elegant appearance	Prone to scratches	⭐⭐⭐
Matte Laminate	Durable, low-maintenance	Less luxurious feel	⭐
Handleless Cabinets	Sleek, minimal maintenance	Channel dust accumulation	⭐⭐
Cabinets with Handles	Easy to grip and clean	Dirt accumulates around handles	⭐⭐⭐

Tips & Tricks for Long-Term Maintenance

• Wipe down cabinets quickly after cooking to prevent grease buildup.

• Regularly dust the handleless cabinet channels.

• Avoid abrasive cleaners and rough scrubbers.

• Use eco-friendly options, such as Puracy Everyday Multi-Surface Cleaner, as an all-purpose solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which kitchen cabinet surface treatment is easiest to clean?

Matte laminate cabinets offer the easiest maintenance overall.

How do you remove fingerprints from matte surfaces? 

Use a gentle cleaner, such as Sidolin spray (available on Amazon), with a microfiber cloth or a melamine sponge (like Magic Eraser).

Are glossy kitchen surfaces hard to maintain?

Glossy surfaces require frequent wiping but are very easy to clean.

What’s better for cleaning: handleless cabinets or cabinets with handles?

Handleless cabinets are easier for daily cleaning, but they require attention to the channel profiles.

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Choosing the right kitchen cabinet materials and finishes ensures that beauty and functionality are in harmony. Every new LEICHT kitchen comes with a detailed cleaning and maintenance guide tailored to your selected materials and cabinetry components, offering personalized recommendations and adjustment instructions for long-term durability and beauty. Visit our Queens showroom or book a consultation to explore these options and find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.