Before and After – Cleaning the Glass Cupboard Doors in the Kitchen

We moved to our home almost two years ago.  Our new kitchen has beautiful custom made cupboards including some with glass panes in the doors.  Those glass doors are so pretty!

Glass Cupboard Doors with Apple Dishes Behind

Glass doors are see through – yes, that’s part of the charm – but that limits what exactly you want to place behind that glass.  I thought of making this section Dave’s baking area, but that would mean all his baking supplies (and any associated disarray) would be wide open to view.  Ugh.

I put our Apple dishes on these shelves, plus a few soup bowls on the right and some beautiful Culver glasses with rich green and gold scrolls up high.  That works.  This weekend I noticed these glass panes were filthy!

Dirty Streaky Glass Cupboard Doors

These doors are made with individual small glass panes set into the framework.  I thought it might work to remove the glass and wash it.  Once I checked how the panes were secured it was clear they were in the doors to stay.

Glass Panels Secured In the Door

Not only are those little plastic thingies screwed into the wood, the glass is caulked in place too.

Close Up of Screw Fastener and Caulk on Cupboard Door

I ended up getting a step stool out and attacking the grime with window cleaner and paper towels.  I make up my own cleaner with ammonia and water mixed.  If I’m washing outside windows I may add a bit of vinegar and a drop of dish detergent, but for indoors the ammonia alone works great.

The glass looks much better now!  If you noticed the cute red bird perched on the door in the first photo, it is a cutie from our friend Loren.  The bird splits apart and holds together on either side of the glass with strong magnets.  It looks so pretty with my red Apple dishes.

Loren’s Cardinal Perched on the Cupboard Door

Susan of Between Naps on the Porch sponsors a Metamorphosis Monday blog party that includes lots of fun transformations.  Mine isn’t exciting but it sure made a difference in my kitchen looks.  Cleaning the cupboards:  Making a difference one glass pane at a time.