When you first have your kitchen cabinets installed, it’s hard not to be in awe – they look so new, clean, and sparkly. However, family life can really take its toll!
After the holidays, or any large event I host, I find that the cabinets in my home look a little worn down. Spills, splatters, and grime build up and even your toughest cabinets begin to lose their like-new appearance.
Here are 8 tips for keeping your kitchen cabinets looking great for the long haul, no matter how much you use them!
1. DIY Clean Up Solution
If you notice grime on your cabinets, a mild solution of dishwashing soap mixed with fresh, clean warm water will take care of the dirt and grease. We recommend 5% dishwasher liquid to 95% water as the mix ratio.
2. Stay On Top of Messes
Splatters and spills? Make sure to wipe it up as soon as possible, and treat your cabinets with the formula from above and dry with the surface with a soft clean cloth. Prolonged exposure to food and other liquids can permanently damage or discolor the finish.
3. Keep Glass Doors Spotless
Keep your glass doors clean by spraying a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel with an ammonia-free glass cleaner. Do not spray the cleaner directly on the glass as there can be overspray, which can damage the wood or paint finish.
4. Wax On Or Wax Off?
Should you polish or wax? Neither! Over time, wax can build up and leave a haze, streak or even a yellow appearance to the finish. Wax build-up is really hard to remove and who has time for that!
5. Touch It Up In The Nick of Time!
Oops, my cabinet is nicked! Touch up kits are available to help hide surface damage. The kits usually come with instructions for minor blemishes, while a tinted putty stick will fill deeper scratches or gouges.
6. No Cloth Zone!
When it comes to cabinets, you should never drape a damp cloth over the doors! Moisture can cause permanent damage, such as peeling and discoloration. Dry any area that becomes wet with a dry, soft cloth.
7. Prevent Sunlight
Sunlight can both darken and lighten wood. If it shines directly on a finish for long enough, it can cause the finish to crack and peel. When it penetrates to the wood, it lightens it and eventually causes it to turn gray. If the finish remains intact, light can darken the wood underneath. In order to correct light damage, you usually have to strip the cabinets and refinish them.
8. Over-Heated Self-Clean
Self-cleaning ovens are cleaned through the use of intense heat. If the heat gasket does not seal properly, heat may escape from the oven. Cabinet components installed near the oven may suffer finish or surface damage. To minimize the risk of damage during cleaning cycles, it’s recommended that you remove doors and drawers from cabinets that are above or adjacent to a self-cleaning oven.
BONUS!
9. Don’t Be So Harsh!
Do not allow oven cleaners, harsh detergents, abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or steel wool to touch your cabinetry. Always check the active ingredients of your cleaners to be sure there are no potentially harmful chemicals.
You don’t have to dig deep into your wallet to make cabinets look new again. With a little love and energy, your cabinets can be restored to look brand new. These tips, tricks, and techniques are all meant to be quick and affordable, so what are you waiting for? Go give those cabinets a mini-makeover and keep them in tip-top shape!
Have your cabinets passed the point of no return? No fret! Easily calculate the cost of your new cabinets and let us help!