Why Your White Thermofoil Cabinets Are Yellowing And How To Stop It

Thermofoil cabinets are a common choice among homeowners who prefer budget-friendly and easy-to-clean materials. These cabinets are made by heating and attaching thermofoil to medium-density fiberboard. The result of this process is a smooth, low-maintenance cabinet finish. Although thermofoil cabinets come in a variety of colors, many opt for white, which complements nearly any kitchen. Despite the appeal, white thermofoil cabinets come with pros and cons. They are prone to yellowing and fading if they are not cared for properly, and thermofoil cabinets can begin turning yellow when exposed to sunlight and heat for long periods of time.

Thankfully, protecting thermofoil from direct sunlight and extreme heat can help the material remain white and vibrant. You can accomplish this by limiting the amount of sunlight that is able to enter your kitchen and installing heat shields. Heat shields are strips of metal that redirect extreme heat emitted by kitchen appliances away from your cabinets. If you have noticed your white thermofoil cabinets begin to turn yellow, take action as soon as possible to stop the staining from worsening. You likely want to avoid having to make kitchen upgrades that may or may not be worth the price, like cabinet refacing. Luckily, stopping the damage from progressing is simple and doesn't require special tools or hiring a professional.

There are a few simple steps you can take to stop heat and sunlight from discoloring your white cabinets. First, evaluate whether you have a lot of sunlight coming into your kitchen throughout the day. If you do not have any windows that allow direct sunlight to come into contact with your cabinets, you may be fine. However, if you have a kitchen with lots of windows, you will need to decrease the amount of direct sunlight coming in. Unfortunately, there is such a thing as too much natural light in your home. You can limit it by simply shutting your blinds or closing curtains during the daytime.

Since high heat from your oven and stove can also cause your cabinets to yellow, you will need to limit this as well. You can turn on your stovetop hood on while cooking to help keep extreme heat from hitting the thermofoil material. The self-cleaning setting on your oven is also a threat to thermofoil cabinets. If you choose to use this feature, consider opening all cabinet doors in advance so that the heat from your oven does not hit the front of your cabinets. Finally, grease and smoke build-up can also cause white thermofoil to yellow over time. You can prevent this by routinely cleaning your cabinets with a microfiber cloth, mild soap, and warm water to prevent grime from sticking onto the surface.