Kitchen cabinet shelf liners are an essential part of every kitchen.
They protect your cabinets against water stains, scratches and dents while also keeping food items fresh and organized.
But there are pros and cons to using these liners.
In this article, I will discuss the pros and cons of kitchen cabinet shelf liners so you can decide if they are worth the investment.
PROS:
- Protects Your Cabinets From Scratches & Dents
Pros of kitchen cabinet liners is that it protects your cabinet business from getting scratched or damaged by other objects in your home.
If you have kids running around with sharp knives or a dog chewing on things, then you know how damaging those little accidents can be.
But when you use a liner for your shelves, you won’t worry about them being ruined because they will stay protected.
- Keep Food Fresh & Organized
It keeps foods like fruits and vegetables fresher longer.
When you store fruit and veggies in baskets without lids, their natural juices start seeping out over time. With a liner, however, you don’t have to worry about losing all that juice as long as you keep the basket closed.
It’s also easier to organize your pantry now that everything stays neat and tidy inside the container instead of spilling everywhere.
CONS:
- Can Make Cleaning More Difficult
Cleaning up spills may become more difficult since the surface area where the spill happened has been covered.
This means that any spilled liquid could get trapped under the liner which makes cleanup much harder than usual.
You might need to remove the entire liner before you clean anything else. So make sure you plan ahead!
- Expensive To Replace
Replacing a liner isn’t cheap. The cost of buying new ones can add up quickly especially if you’re planning on doing this regularly.
Plus, some people find that the liners wear down after repeated usage.
That means you’ll have to buy another one sooner rather than later.
Should you line your kitchen cabinet?
Yes. It’s a simple way to keep food items organized and prevent spills.
If you’re looking to add a new feature to your kitchen with cabinet, consider lining your ample cabinet space and a shade of paint color.
It’s an inexpensive way to organize your kitchen and keep food items safe with splash of color.
Is It True That Liners Extend Kitchen Cabinet Shelf-Life?
No. There is no scientific evidence showing that liners extend the life of your kitchen cabinets.
However, many manufacturers claim that liners do prolong the lifespan of your kitchen cabinet shelves.
So if you want to save money, go ahead and purchase them but remember not to expect miracles.
Tips for using shelf liners to their best advantage
Shelf liners are an essential part of any kitchen. They keep food fresh and protect against spills.
However, there are a few ways to use them to their full potential.
If you want to get the most out of your shelf liner, here are a few tips to consider.
1) Use only high quality materials.
You wouldn’t put garbage bags into your refrigerator right? Well, neither should you use low grade products for your kitchen shelving.
2) Keep your liners away from heat sources such as ovens and stoves.
This includes microwaves too. Heat causes plastic to degrade faster.
3) Don’t place heavy loads directly onto the top of your liners.
If you must load something heavy, stack multiple layers of liners together.
4) Store liners upright so air can circulate around them.
When stored horizontally, moisture tends to collect at the bottom causing mold growth.
5) Be careful with what type of material you choose for your liners.
Some plastics are better suited for certain types of storage while others work well for other uses.
6) Check expiration dates on your liners.
They expire every year just like regular trash bags.
7) Always replace old liners immediately.
Even though they look fine, there’s still a chance that bacteria or mildew could grow in between the seams.
8) Never store liquids near your liners.
Liquids will seep through the seam eventually leading to leaks.
9) Avoid storing foods above your liners.
Food drips tend to fall straight back into the containers below.
10) Remove liners when needed.
Most liners come off easily by pulling upward. However, it may be necessary to cut them open first.
What is the best thing to line kitchen cabinets with?
There isn’t really anything wrong with using paper towels or even waxed paper to cover up your shelves.
But if you’d prefer to invest in a more permanent solution, then you might want to check out these options:
- Plastic sheeting – This comes in rolls which makes installation easy.
- Vinyl sheets – These are great because they don’t tear easily and last longer than paper.
- Corrugated cardboard – If you need something cheap, corrugated cardboard works perfectly
- Plywood – You’ll find this option in stores selling woodworking supplies. It’s durable and looks good.
- Wood – The downside to wooden shelves is that they’re expensive. But if you have extra space, why not give it a try?
- Metal – Stainless steel is probably the safest metal choice since it doesn’t rust.
- Glass – A glass cabinets shelf would make a nice addition to your home office.
- Ceramic tile – Tile is very sturdy and won’t scratch easily. Plus, it adds an elegant touch to any room.
How do I clean my kitchen cabinet liners?
It depends on how often you plan to wipe down your shelves.
For daily cleaning, simply run some warm water over the surface.
For weekly cleaning, spray cleaner on the surface and let sit overnight before wiping off.
What can I use instead of shelf liner?
You can also use newspaper or brown kraft paper to protect your shelves.
Just remember to remove all food items prior to covering your shelves.
Another alternative is to purchase a set of self-adhesive hooks.
They allow you to hang things right next to your shelves without having to worry about damaging your surfaces.
Does shelf liner attract bugs
Yes! Bugs love to hide inside plastic liners. They thrive in dark places where no one else goes.
If you notice small insects crawling around your liners, take action quickly.
- Remove the liners from their packaging and place them directly onto the floor.
- Then vacuum away as much debris as possible.
- Next, wash the area thoroughly with soap and hot water.
- Finally, apply insecticide to kill remaining pests.
Conclusion
Shelf liners are convenient for protecting your kitchen cabinets while still allowing access to your storage areas.
However, there are many factors to consider before purchasing such products.
The most important factor is whether or not you intend to keep your liners long term.
If so, then you should choose materials that resist moisture well.
Also, look for liners made specifically for kitchens.
This way, you know exactly what kind of material you’re getting.
