White kitchen cabinets are a popular choice for many homeowners due to their clean, bright aesthetic. However, some people are hesitant to choose white cabinets because of concerns that they may yellow or discolor over time. In this article, we’ll examine whether white cabinets really do turn yellow and what factors cause this discoloration. We’ll also provide tips on how to care for white cabinets to prevent yellowing.
What Causes White Cabinets to Yellow?
There are a few key factors that can cause white cabinets to take on a yellowish tinge over time:
Exposure to Sunlight and UV Rays
Direct sunlight and UV rays can react with the wood stain or paint on white cabinets, causing them to gradually yellow. This photodegradation usually occurs slowly over a long period of time. South-facing kitchens that get a lot of direct sunlight are most susceptible.
Heat and Humidity
Excessive heat and humidity can also damage the finish on white cabinets and cause discoloration. The moisture in the air reacts with the materials in the stain and paint, resulting in a yellowish tinge. Kitchens that are not properly ventilated or air conditioned are more likely to have this problem.
Smoke and Cooking Grease
The tiny airborne particles from smoke and cooking grease that accumulate on the cabinet surfaces can also stain white cabinets yellow over time. This is especially true if the grease and smoke residue isn’t cleaned off regularly.
Natural Aging
Even with proper care, most wood finishes and paints will slowly yellow as they age. This natural oxidization process causes a gradual change in color. Lower-quality finishes are more likely to yellow than higher-end options.
Chemical Reactions in Paint
Inferior quality white paint may yellow due to chemical changes within the paint itself. Exposure to heat, light, or simple aging can trigger reactions that turn the paint yellowish. Higher-quality paint is less prone to this.
Do All White Cabinets Yellow at the Same Rate?
The rate at which white cabinets yellow depends on the specific materials and finishes used:
- Painted cabinets yellow less than stained or glazed cabinets since paint provides a protective coating over the wood. Oil-based paints resist yellowing better than latex paint.
- Lacquered cabinets with a clear coat finish are also less likely to yellow than stained wood. The lacquer acts as protection.
- Veneer cabinets will yellow at about the same rate as stained solid wood. The veneer is very thin so the staining shows through.
- Thermofoil cabinets probably won’t yellow at all since the vinyl coating resists UV damage.
- MDF or melamine cabinets won’t yellow either since the color is integrated throughout the material.
Higher-end cabinet materials using premium finishes will always resist yellowing better than low-cost products. But any white cabinet can develop a yellowish tinge eventually under the right conditions.
Can You Prevent White Cabinets from Yellowing?
While you can’t prevent white cabinets from ever yellowing, you can dramatically slow the process by:
Controlling Light and Heat
Avoid exposing your cabinets to direct sunlight if possible. Install UV-resistant film on windows and skylights to filter out some of the damaging rays. Keep your kitchen properly ventilated and use air conditioning during hot weather to control heat and humidity.
Cleaning Regularly
Wipe cabinet surfaces frequently using a mild soap and water to remove grease and smoke residue before it has a chance to build up. Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasives. Use a degreaser to cut through tough grease.
Applying Protective Finishes
Use high-quality cabinet paint, stains, clear coats, or veneers that contain UV inhibitors and scratch-resistant formulations. Re-apply protective finishes per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Touching Up Damage
Check cabinets regularly for any signs of finish damage or wear. Promptly sand and re-finish any problem areas to protect the underlying wood.
With diligent care and maintenance, it’s certainly possible to keep white kitchen cabinets looking bright and fresh for many years before any yellowing becomes noticeable. Proper placement, air circulation, cleaning habits, and refinishing will all extend the pristine white look.
Can You Reverse Yellowing on White Cabinets?
If your white cabinets eventually do take on a yellowish cast, don’t despair. There are several ways to potentially reverse or remove the discoloration:
Clean Thoroughly
Try a deep cleaning using a degreaser and mild abrasive first. Grease and residue could be causing a yellow appearance rather than an actual color change in the finish. Scrub thoroughly.
Sand and Re-finish
For veneer, stained, or lacquered cabinets, sanding down to the bare wood and re-applying a fresh finish is the best way to restore a uniform white color. This is a bigger project but will give the best results.
Repaint
For painted wood or thermofoil cabinets, repainting with a high-quality white cabinet paint will cover up any yellowing in the old finish. Be sure to prep and prime properly for best results.
Bleach and Whiten
For mild yellowing, try using household bleach or whitening solutions specifically designed for wood. Lightly scrub onto affected areas to lift stains and restore a whiter color. Rinse thoroughly.
Replace Doors and Drawers
If yellowing is limited to cabinet doors and drawer fronts, you may be able to just replace those instead of the whole cabinet boxes. This will provide a fresh white finish.
With the right techniques and products, it is often possible to successfully restore yellowed white cabinets back to their original pristine, bright white look. Try less intensive methods first before undertaking a major re-finishing project.
How Often Should You Refinish White Cabinets?
There isn’t a set timeframe for when white cabinets need to be refinished since it depends on so many factors. With proper care, high-end finishes could go 5-10 years before needing renewal. But inferior finishes may need attention after just 1-2 years.
Watch for these signs that your white cabinets are due for refinishing:
- Visible yellowing, darkening or clouding of the finish
- Finish feels rough or porous rather than smooth
- Noticeable fading or wear around knobs/handles
- Discoloration doesn’t clean off with standard cleaning
- New cabinets no longer match old ones
- Finish is showing cracks, peeling, or blistering
Refinishing cabinets is a time-consuming, messy job. If your finish is still in good shape, take steps to extend its life through diligent care and maintenance. But once yellowing or wear becomes unsightly, don’t wait to refinish. Over time the wood underneath will become damaged, making your repair job harder.
What’s the Best Way to Refinish White Cabinets?
There are several refinishing options depending on the type and extent of the yellowing:
Sand and Re-stain
For yellowed stained or veneer cabinets, the best method is to fully sand down to bare wood and apply new stain and protective clear coats. This requires disassembly and extensive prep but offers longer-lasting results.
Repaint
Painting over yellowed lacquered or thermofoil finishes is quicker than staining and doesn’t require disassembly. Use a bonding primer and high-quality white cabinet paint. Lightly sand glossy areas first to help paint adhere.
Refinish Doors and Drawer Fronts
Just updating doors and drawers is an economical compromise if cabinet boxes are still in good shape. Lightly sand any yellowed finish on doors first before painting or staining for maximum adhesion.
Use Whitening Products
For mild yellowing, whitening solutions help lighten the finish so full refinishing isn’t needed yet. Follow product directions carefully. Results won’t last as long as refinishing.
Professional Refinishing
For optimum results on a major refinishing project, hire professionals. They’ll meticulously prep, stain or paint, and add protective clear coats for long-lasting whiteness.
Refinishing cabinets is very labor-intensive. If you hire pros, expect to pay $2000-$5000 or more depending on kitchen size and project scope. Doing it yourself cuts costs but requires significant time and DIY skills.
Maintaining a White Cabinet Finish
To maximize the time between refinishing, be diligent about regular cabinet care. Here are some maintenance tips:
- Clean cabinets frequently using mild soap and water to prevent grease and dirt buildup.
- Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasives that could wear down the finish prematurely.
- For tough grease stains, use a degreaser made for wood finishes.
- Check for any dings, chips or scratches in the finish and touch up immediately to avoid moisture damage.
- Replace door and drawer hardware if the finish around knobs or pulls begins wearing.
- Every 1-2 years re-apply a protective wax or clear coat to enhance moisture resistance.
- Consider having professionals refinish door/drawer fronts if cabinet boxes are still in acceptable shape.
With consistent care and maintenance, you can keep your white cabinets looking like new longer before refinishing or replacement is needed. Taking preventative steps will preserve their pristine white finish.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Cabinets Yellowing
Here are answers to some common questions homeowners have about yellowing of their white kitchen cabinets:
Do white painted cabinets yellow less than white stained cabinets?
Yes, the paint on white painted cabinets provides an extra layer of protection against yellowing compared to stain on wood. Oil-based cabinet paint resists yellowing better than latex paints.
Should I apply a protective finish over white stained cabinets?
Yes, applying a clear, UV-resistant topcoat will help minimize yellowing and extends the finish of white stained cabinets. Reapply every 1-2 years.
Will keeping my kitchen darker help prevent white cabinets from yellowing?
Somewhat – less sunlight exposure will slow the photodegradation that causes yellowing. But other factors like heat and smoke can still discolor white cabinets in dark rooms.
Is yellowing worse on lower cabinets than uppers?
Generally yes, lower cabinets closer to the cooking area are more exposed to grease splatter and require more frequent cleaning to avoid yellow stains. The undersides of upper cabinets can yellow from cooking fumes.
Should I replace instead of refinish yellowed cabinets?
If yellowing is severe, replacement may be better than attempting to refinish. But for moderate yellowing, refinishing often yields great results and avoids the cost of new cabinets.
How do I know if a contractor did a quality job refinishing my cabinets?
Check that all old finish was sanded down completely before restaining or repainting, ensuring proper adhesion. The new finish should feel smooth without drips or debris trapped under it.
Will oak cabinets yellow more than maple cabinets?
Yes, oak (especially red oak) contains more tannins than maple and is more prone to ambering over time. Maple naturally has a lighter color that helps hide yellowing better.
Should I expect wood cabinets to yellow eventually no matter what?
All wood cabinet finishes will likely develop some yellowish changes over time. But higher-quality materials and proper maintenance can minimize discoloration and extend the finish life significantly before refinishing is needed. With diligent care, you can keep white cabinets looking bright and fresh for many years before any yellowing becomes noticeable. Be sure to limit sunlight exposure, control kitchen heat and humidity, clean regularly using mild cleaners, and refinish at the first signs of yellowing or wear. With the right preventative steps and refinishing when needed, you can enjoy beautiful white cabinets in your kitchen for decades to come.
Conclusion
Although white kitchen cabinets can slowly yellow over time, there are ways to dramatically extend their pristine white finish with preventative care. Limit UV light exposure, control heat and humidity, clean frequently to prevent grease buildup, and refinish at the first hints of yellowing. With diligence, it’s possible to keep white cabinets looking like new for many years before refinishing is needed. Taking good preventative care is the key to enjoying long-lasting bright white cabinets.