If you're in the deciding stages of a kitchen remodel and trying to decide on a color for your kitchen cabinets, you may have wondered about ongoing maintenance and if white or off white kitchen cabinets harder to keep clean than stained cabinets.

A white cabinet or counter is more obviously "clean" or "dirty". You may not notice if darker cabinets are dirty because it's not as noticeable. The dirt and grime is still there though.

What's the best way to keep your white kitchen white?

If something gets spilled on your cabinets, no matter what color they are, it's best to wipe it off as quickly as possible. Everything is easier is clean when it's fresh.

If your kitchen cabinets get a lot of direct light, they can start to yellow over time. Direct sunlight will also fade stained kitchen cabinets. Consider buying blinds or curtains to help shield your cabinets from direct sunlight and you'll extend the life of their finish.

Another culprit is airborne grease. The moment you start cooking, particles are released into the air. That great smell from dinner cooking is also resulting in particles landing on your white cabinets. Help prevent this by turning on your exhaust fan as soon as you start cooking.