A Guide to Keeping your Cabinets Beautiful
After investing both your time and money into purchasing and installing new cabinets, you’re going to want to keep them looking beautiful for many years. Keeping your cabinets in good shape will enable them to last longer, preserving the beauty of your kitchen and the value of your home. Cabinets are one of the main features of your kitchen and just like your appliances, they require regular cabinet maintenance. With the proper care, you can expect your cabinets to last a lifetime.
Daily Care to Protect and Maintain Your Cabinets
Avoid Exposure to Moisture
Moisture is the number one enemy of cabinet maintenance. Ensure there is proper ventilation in your kitchen to prevent excess humidity. Take care to clean spills and splatters immediately. This will prevent staining and other damage. When cleaning up a spill, be sure to use a blotting action rather than wiping. Check the areas near the sink and dishwasher as it is more likely these areas will be exposed to water. Be careful not to drape wet towels over cabinets as this can cause warping.
Be Gentle on Your Cabinets
A damp washcloth can suffice in most cases. When dealing with more stubborn spills or build-up, a mild soap diluted in warm water can be used on laminate and paint finishes. For stain finishes, mild wood cleaner diluted in warm water will work. Use a soft cloth such as a microfiber cloth to clean the surface. After cleaning, dry your cabinets using another soft cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or anything abrasive. Petroleum-based products, solvents, spray cleaners, citrus, bleach, ammonia, glass cleaner, scouring pads, magic erasers, and steel wool can all damage the finish on your cabinets. Waxing should also be avoided as this can lead to build-up and attract dust.
Protect your cabinets from environmental damage.
Just like moisture, heat can cause swelling and warping. If you plan to use the self-cleaning feature on your oven, be sure to remove doors and drawers first. Excessive exposure to light can cause your cabinets to fade. Cover your windows using curtains or shades to prevent damage from sunlight. Prolonged exposure to smoke can also cause damage to your cabinets. As much as possible, prevent exposure to smoke. Cooking can cause your kitchen to become smoky. Be sure to clean your cabinets regularly to lessen the likelihood of this leading to damage.
Long-term Cabinet Maintenance and Care
If you keep up with daily care of your cabinets they should be in great shape, though they will still require some basic maintenance. At least every two weeks, wipe down your cabinets with a damp cloth. If needed, you may use mild dish soap diluted in water. For your most difficult stains or build-up you can create a paste using baking soda and water. Using a gentle circular motion, carefully clean the problem area. For very sticky surfaces, you may use a mixture of water and vinegar. Remember to dry your cabinets immediately after cleaning them. Periodically check your hardware. Adjust anything that has become too loose or misaligned. If your cabinets every sustain more serious damage, seek professional help.
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Keeping your kitchen maintained can increase the resale value of your home. Cabinet care is a key part of kitchen maintenance. If you keep up with daily and long-term maintenance of your cabinets, you can expect them to look stunning for many years.