A kitchen is the heart of the home, and when it comes to crafting a timeless aesthetic, you can never go wrong with an all-white palette. Pristine white kitchens can bring a crisp, light, and airy feel to any home. However, just like white clothing and furniture, white kitchens have a way of putting dirt and stains on display; every splatter of sauce on a countertop, every morsel of food on the floor, and every sticky fingerprint on a cabinet door is easy to spot. 

The good news is that although all-white kitchens can be unforgiving, there are some things you can do to keep things looking spotless. Ahead, learn about the best tools and techniques for keeping your all-white kitchen as bright as it started. 

1. Clean after every meal you prepare. 

To keep your all-white kitchen clean and bright, it’s essential to clean it after each time you prepare a meal–especially if you’re cooking with stain-prone ingredients like tomatoes, oils, animal fats, and meats. Why? Small food droplets can land on your pristine countertops and cupboards and eventually permanently stain the white surface. 

Pro tip: Always avoid using products that contain synthetic dyes, such as colored cleaning products or dish soaps on your white surfaces. Depending on the surface, some colored products can cause visible staining. Also avoid using bleach to clean your white surfaces, which can cause discoloration overtime. There is a better way!

Vital Oxide cleans food stains, cuts and removes grease, deodorizes food odors, and is gentle enough to use on all kitchen surfaces, including food-contact surfaces. Use Vital Oxide to clean your kitchen cabinets and walls, degrime your range hood, sanitize your cutting boards and countertops, shine appliances, degrease your backsplash, disinfect the kitchen sink, and more. 

2. Protect from Direct Sunlight 

One of the main reasons why white cabinets start to yellow is exposure to direct sunlight, which tends to jaundice or fade painted wood and laminate surfaces. Shield your pristine white surfaces from harsh direct sunlight with window film, blinds, or drapes. 

3. Always run the exhaust fan while you cook. 

When it comes to keeping your all-white kitchen looking its best, buildup prevention is key. As you’re cooking, microscopic food and grease particles rise into the air and eventually settle on surfaces. The result? Yellow-stained counters and cabinets. To help prevent staining in the first place, switch on the exhaust fan or range hood as you begin cooking. 

4. Clean your grout regularly. 

If your dream kitchen has a white tile backsplash with white grout, any dirt that accumulates on the grout will seem more obvious, so be sure to take care of this regularly to keep those lines clean. While vinegar is a common DIY recommendation for cleaning grout, it’s best avoided–especially with white tiles and grout. Vinegar is very acidic and can damage the grout and etch stone tiles. Instead, reach for a gentler solution: Vital Oxide. 

Simply spray on tiles, then wipe with a clean, damp microfiber cloth to shine. For extra grimy grout, first spray grout with Vital Oxide, and then use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub and loosen any residue. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove any debris, and follow up by spraying Vital Oxide and polishing with a microfiber cloth. Your grout and tiles should be good as new! 

5. Avoid harsh cleaning tools. 

When cleaning a white kitchen, avoid using abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or hard-bristle brushes as they can scratch or dull the finish, making it easier for dirt and grime to hide. Instead, stick to a gentler, soft-bristled brush or a microfiber cloth when you’re cleaning to avoid damaging your surfaces. 

6. Use Vital Oxide to Prevent and Remove Stains From Natural Stone Surfaces

Natural stone surfaces like granite or marble can be the centerpiece of any kitchen. However, natural stone surfaces are porous, meaning they absorb liquid much more quickly than laminate or composite surfaces. Always clean up spills immediately, so that it doesn’t seep into the countertop. For everyday cleanup and for removing stubborn stains, reach for Vital Oxide. 

Unlike harsh conventional cleaners like bleach, Vital Oxide can be used on natural stone (including granite, marble, and travertine), as well as ceramic and sealed concrete.