How to clean a medicine cabinet, inside and out
To clean a medicine cabinet, take everything out, set aside anything expired, and wash the shelves and inside walls with warm water and a little dish soap. Dry every surface, clean the mirror with glass cleaner sprayed onto a cloth, wipe the outside and the hinges, and put everything back once it's dry.
A medicine cabinet sits above the sink, so it collects toothpaste spatter, sticky drips and rust rings faster than you'd think.
What do you need?
- A towel laid on the counter to sort things on
- Warm water and dish soap
- Microfiber cloths
- Glass cleaner
- Baking soda, for rust rings
- An old toothbrush or cotton swabs for corners and hinges
- Shelf liner, optional
How do you clean a medicine cabinet, step by step?
- Empty it. Lay a towel on the counter and set everything on it, shelf by shelf, so you know where things go back.
- Check dates. Set aside anything expired. Wipe sticky bottles before they go back.
- Shelves out. If the shelves lift out, take them to the tub or sink and wash them in warm, soapy water.
- Inside walls. Wipe the inside top to bottom with a cloth dampened in soapy water. Use the toothbrush in the corners and the shelf-pin holes.
- Rust rings. Rub a paste of baking soda and water on any ring and wipe it off.
- Dry. Dry every shelf and wall before anything goes back. Damp metal is what rusts.
- Mirror. Spray glass cleaner onto a cloth, not the mirror, and wipe in an S pattern from top to bottom. Spray running down behind the edges can damage the mirror's backing.
- Outside and hinges. Wipe the frame, the door edge and the hinges, and dry them.
- Put back. Return everything once the shelves are dry.
What do you do with expired medicine?
Don't flush it or pour it down the sink unless the label says to. Ask your pharmacy about take-back options, or follow the disposal steps printed on the package. Keep medicine somewhere that stays cool and dry if you can. A steamy bathroom isn't ideal for it.
How do you clean different cabinet finishes?
- Painted wood: a damp cloth with a little dish soap, dried right away. Water left on painted wood can lift the paint.
- Metal: soapy water, dried well. Touch up chips early so they don't rust.
- Glass shelves: glass cleaner on a cloth, or a little vinegar for rings.
- Plastic: soapy water. Skip abrasive pads.
How do you keep it clean longer?
- Cut shelf liner to size so drips land on the liner.
- Close caps tight and wipe bottles before they go back.
- Wipe the mirror and door weekly when you clean the sink.
The sink below it is in our sink and vanity guide, and the whole room in order is in our bathroom cleaning schedule.
Want help with the bathroom?
Book Deep Cleaning online. If the medicine cabinet is a priority, ask about it when you book and put it in your booking notes.
FAQ
What should you clean a medicine cabinet with? Warm water with a few drops of dish soap on a microfiber cloth works for the shelves and the inside walls. Use a glass cleaner sprayed onto a cloth for the mirror, and dry everything before you put things back.
How do you get rust rings off medicine cabinet shelves? Make a paste of baking soda and water, rub it on the ring with a damp cloth, and wipe it clean. On glass shelves, a little white vinegar on a cloth also lifts rings. A shelf liner keeps new rings from forming.
What should you do with expired medicine? Don't flush it or pour it down the drain unless the label tells you to. Ask your pharmacy about medicine take-back options, or follow the disposal steps on the package.
How often should you clean a medicine cabinet? Wipe the mirror and door weekly, and empty and clean the inside every three to six months. It's a good time to check expiration dates as well.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
