To keep your cabinets looking brand new and ensure they last for years, a simple consistent care routine is essential. In this post we explore cabinet care and maintenance.
.
Cabinet Care Best Practices
- Wipe Up Spills Immediately: Moisture is the greatest enemy of cabinet finishes. Liquid can cause wood to warp, finishes to peel and joints to swell. Always use a blotting action rather than a scrubbing motion for spills.
- Keep Them Dry: Never hang damp dish towels over cabinet doors, as this leads to permanent water damage and discoloration.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Stay away from cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, or strong solvents. These can strip the protective finish and leave the wood “thirsty” and dull.
- Gentle Tools Only: Use soft, lint-free cloths like microfiber or old cotton T-shirts. Never use abrasive scouring pads, steel wool, or “magic” sponges that can scratch the surface.
Weekly Maintenance
For routine cleaning, a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap is usually all you need.
- Dust Weekly: Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust and particles that can cause fine scratches over time.
- Focus on High-Touch Areas: Pay extra attention to the areas around handles and knobs where grease and fingerprints accumulate.
- The “Three-Towel” System: To prevent water spots, use one damp towel for cleaning, a second slightly damp towel for rinsing away soap residue, and a third dry towel to buff the surface completely dry.
Long-Term Protection
- Control the Environment: Wood expands and contracts with humidity. Most wood warp and contraction happens in the winter when the humidity is low and moisture is pulled out of the wood. As the wood shrinks areas that are not painted or stained are exposed. While it will reverse itself in the spring, this post outlines what you can do to reduce the problem. Aim to keep your home’s humidity level around 50% to prevent shrinking or warping.
- Shield from Heat: When using your oven’s self-cleaning feature, consider opening or even removing adjacent cabinet doors, as the extreme heat can damage nearby finishes.
- Mind the Sun: Direct sunlight can fade paint or darken natural wood finishes. Use blinds or curtains to protect your cabinetry during peak daylight hours.
- Regular Inspections: Periodically check for loose hinges, drawer glides or minor scratches. Addressing these small issues early prevents more expensive repairs later.
Specialty Care Tips
- Stubborn Grime: For built-up grease or food particles, a paste of baking soda and water can be used gently on many finishes. Here is another method for getting rid of grime.
- Revitalizing Wood: If natural wood cabinets look dull, a high-quality wood polish or cabinet cream (free of wax or silicone) can help restore their luster.
- Interior Care: Use cabinet liners to protect shelves from spills and scratches from heavy cookware.
Bishop Cabinets offers additional guidelines cabinet care and maintenance. By following these simple steps above, you can avoid the high cost of refinishing or replacing your cabinets and keep your kitchen looking its best for a lifetime.
About Bishop Cabinets
Bishop Cabinets has been manufacturing for over 60 years. Click here to learn more about our capabilities and latest offerings that align with the latest trends in cabinet finishes.
Our Vision Statement
“To create beautiful and functional cabinets through innovation, growth, and a commitment to keep family values at the core of everything we do.”