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Kitchen Door and Cabinet Care Tips For Your New Kitchen
To keep your kitchen looking brand new for longer, proper care should be applied to kitchen cabinetry. This means attentive cleaning, polishing and careful avoidance of damaging household cleaners.
CABINET CARE:
Grease and grime buildup can damage cabinets and ruin the look and feel of a new kitchen. To remove buildup, wipe down cabinets using a soft cloth dampened with warm water and do so at least every two weeks or more frequently, depending on how much time is spent in the kitchen. If warm water alone fails to clean cabinets sufficiently, mix a little mild dishwasher liquid with water and wipe away the grime. Make sure to wipe down wood cabinets in the direction of the grain. Then, use a soft cloth to remove any residual moisture that may be left on the cabinets.
If routine cleaning does not remove stains or built-up grime, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Place the paste on a soft sponge and lightly rub the stain until it disappears. Rinse with water and dry the area with a soft cloth. In fact, a mixture of vinegar and water is another option for removing sticky grime from kitchen cabinets.
Make sure to avoid using the following products, which can damage cabinets:
Petroleum-based products - Solvents – Bleach – Strong detergents and soaps – Nail polish remover – paint thinner – plastic brushes – steel wool – scoring pads – ammonia.
Wipe spills promptly:
Many substances become difficult to remove and may stain or cause other damage to kitchen cabinetry upon prolonged contact. Should a spill occur, wipe it immediately with a damp cloth or sponge and dry the surface promptly with a clean cloth.
Glass and Mirror Care:
To clean glass or mirror features, simply spray commercial glass cleaner onto a lint-free cloth or paper towel before wiping onto the glass or mirror insets of cabinets. Never spray the glass / mirror directly as the cleaner can seep into the cabinet carcass and cause discoloration or damage.
Metal Hardware Care:
For metal hardware, dip a soft toothbrush in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water or make a paste of baking soda and water, then lightly scrub the hardware with a soft bristled brush. If possible, remove the hardware from the cabinets and drawers before cleaning.
Avoid excessive moisture:
Moisture is one of the worst enemies of any finish. The cabinetry near the sink and dishwasher, as well as the plinths are most susceptible to water damage. Dry off any areas immediately where water has spilled. Avoid draping dish towels or wet kitchen cloths over kitchen doors or placing coffee makers where steam vents directly onto cabinet surfaces.
Avoid temperature and humidity extremes:
Extremes in temperature and humidity can cause the carcass to expand and contract, swell or warp, and to even dry out entirely, which can damage the finish of your cabinetry. It is therefore important to control the temperature and humidity in your home all year round, both for the residents and for your kitchen cabinetry and furniture.
Avoid light damage:
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can damage your kitchen cabinets and doors, no matter their finish. Therefore, use window coverings to help reduce or eliminate damage caused by direct sunlight exposure.
DOOR CARE:
Whether your new kitchen doors are real wood, painted, foil or vinyl, make sure not to use wax-furniture polish, abrasive cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door as this will damage the surface. In fact, wax and polishes leave a residue buildup and this is difficult to remove.
Simply mix a dash of washing up liquid with warm water and then just dampen (not wet) a cloth to wipe down kitchen doors. After this, dry the surface with a soft clean cloth and the job is done.
Make sure that all cooking splashes are wiped away immediately with a damp cloth and dried with a soft clean cloth or soft paper towel. Any spills and condensation on the fascia and panels must also be cleaned and dried immediately.
Wood and Veneered Doors:
Excess moisture can damage real wood, it is recommended that susceptible areas, for instance, around the sink, are thoroughly maintained and kept dry at all times.
When cleaning wood doors it is vital to follow the pattern of the grain. Use a damp cloth, (and not a wet one) to remove any marks or fingerprints. Then use a dry soft cloth to dry the area.
It is important to note that wood is known to change colour when it is exposed to light. Furthermore, light, neutral coloured lacquered surfaces also have a tendency to ‘yellow with age’ depending on their level of light exposure. Therefore, it is advised that colour change is taken into consideration when replacing or installing new doors, a period of time after the original kitchen has been installed.
Painted Doors:
It is advised to use a damp cloth (not wet) to remove fingerprints and dirt marks, followed with a clean and dry soft cloth.
Foil Wrapped and High Gloss Finished Doors:
Foil wrapped, melamine and lacquer coated doors are manufactured from the highest quality materials. Please be careful not to damage their surfaces, which should be kept dry in order to prevent moisture ingress. Also, periodically clean the interior of the door using a soft, damp cloth. Wipe dry all surfaces after cleaning. Avoid any agents that contain ammonia, alcohol, bleach or an abrasive.
If the surface of the product is exposed to any oil-based substance (for example olive oil, butter, margarine or cooking oil), the spillage must be wiped away immediately to prevent staining. Grease marks caused by these oil-based products can easily be removed if seen to immediately, by using a mixture of mild dishwashing detergent and warm water with a non-abrasive cloth, and dried using a clean soft cloth.
Do not expose foil wrapped, melamine and lacquer coated doors or panels to temperatures in excess of 60°C (140°F).
With these kitchen door and cabinet care tips, RELISH KITCHENS hope that your new kitchen will remain as beautiful and polished, as when it was first installed.
