How Holiday Cooking Impacts Your Cabinets — and How to Protect Them

The holiday season brings the most kitchen traffic of the entire year. Thanksgiving prep, Christmas baking, holiday brunches, New Year’s dinner parties — all those meals mean more heat, more steam, more spills and more cabinet door traffic. And while most homeowners think about cookware and countertops, your kitchen cabinets actually take on just as much holiday stress.

Here’s how seasonal cooking can impact your cabinets — and simple ways to protect them through the holidays and beyond.

How Holiday Cooking Impacts Your Cabinets

Steam & Heat Exposure
Long simmering batches of soups, casseroles, sauces and baking sessions send constant steam into the air. Over time, this can begin to dull cabinet surfaces, loosen adhesive, and cause subtle swelling on wood around door edges.

Grease & Oil Buildup
Holiday foods usually include more butter, frying, roasting, high-fat sauces and seasoning. Grease settles on cabinet surfaces (especially upper cabinets near the stove), and if it sits — it can start breaking down finish overtime.

Staining From Spills & Splashes
Red wine, gravy, tomato base, cranberry, balsamic, spices — holiday foods stain fast, especially if they land on a cabinet surface that isn’t cleaned quickly.

High Touch Traffic
With multiple guests in and out of the kitchen, cabinets get opened far more often — increasing oil transfer from hands + holiday residue from cooking.

How to Protect Your Cabinets This Holiday Season

1. Wipe Cabinets Frequently (Not Just After the Event)
A fast warm water + mild soap wipe down each cooking session prevents heavy buildup. This is more effective than deep cleaning only once everything is over.

2. Turn the Vent Hood On Every Single Time You Cook
Ventilation is the #1 defense against steam + grease settling on cabinets.

3. Use Small Protective Barriers Near High Heat Zones
Examples:

• silicone splash guards when frying
  
• small stovetop heat shields
  
• wipeable liners inside cabinets storing oils or spices
  
  

4. Avoid Harsh Scrub Products
Abrasive cleaners and degreasers can weaken cabinet surfaces. Stick to gentle, non-abrasive cleaners and microfiber cloths.

5. Dry Cabinets Immediately
Never leave moisture sitting on cabinet edges — it slowly damages wood and finish.

Keep Your Kitchen Cabinets Looking Great All Season Long

With Chattanooga families hosting more meals, more gatherings, and more guests this time of year — these simple maintenance steps will help your cabinets stay protected, cleaner, and looking better all holiday season long.

Small habits during the busiest cooking months can make a huge difference in the long-term appearance of your cabinets.