Tips and Tricks to Maintain Those Brand-New Cabinets

Tips and Tricks to Maintain Those Brand-New Cabinets

After all those years of waiting you finally have the dream kitchen you’ve always wanted. But how can you get the best bang for your buck and keep those cabinets looking new for years? Kitchen cabinets can get dirty, unnoticeably fast. You spatter grease on them when you cook; you spill everything from cake batter to olive oil on them; Your seven-year-old helps you make fruit smoothies and turns on the blender before you can put the top on it. You can fight the grime, grease and grunge and make your cabinets look their best. But understanding how to maintain your cabinets can makes years of a difference.

You Better Act Fast

Perhaps the most important aspect of keeping your kitchen cabinets looking brand new is taking care of spills as fast as possible. The longer a spill sits on the cabinet, the better the chance of it leaving a stain that’s impossible to get off. When a spill happens, use a paper towel or dishcloth and warm water to clean it up. Make sure all the moisture is cleaned up, as even a little liquid can cause permanent damage to the finish. It doesn’t matter if the spill is water or spaghetti sauce, get to it fast. Children have a tendency to spill things and not tell anyone. Try to keep a vigilant eye in case your precious little angel spills tea all over the counter.

Avoid too Much Light Damage

Direct exposure to sunlight can have a damaging effect on your cabinets, especially those made from natural wood. Painted wood cabinets and laminated or Thermofoil surfaces also are susceptible to fading from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. se window coverings to help reduce or eliminate the amount of damage cause by direct exposure to sunlight.

Routine Cleaning

Cleaning and maintaining your cabinets on an everyday basis is one of the best ways to keep your kitchen looking new. Soft clothes dampened with water is the best way to remove that fine layer of dust and grease. If water alone is not enough, you can use a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. In the case of wood cabinets, make sure to follow the grain while whipping. After cleaning, thoroughly wipe the cabinets with a dry cloth or towel to avoid any excess moisture.

CLEANING PRODUCTS AND ABRASIVES, YOU MUST AVOID

Bleach

Nail Polish Removers or Paint Thinners

Ammonia

Plastic Brushes, Scoring Pads, Steel Wool

Any Solvents or Petroleum Based Products

Harsh Detergents and Soaps

Scratches and nicks

It is always advised to make sure your cabinets come with a touch-up kit to hide surface damage. Just ask your cabinet provider to send one along with the new cabinets, or if you are using a kitchen remodeling contractor like Archway, ask to make sure the cabinet supplier sends a kit as part of the order. There are also DIY ways to cover up scratches in wood cabinets, as well as products you can buy at a home improvement store that can also help hide scratches in wood and other materials.

What about those pesky handles?

While you may be cognizant of your countertops and physical cabinets, few people remember to clean the knobs and handles of cabinet drawers. People use sticky hands to open and close the doors, coating the cabinets in who knows what. They’ll use dirty kitchen utensils to open the drawers because they can’t reach them from where they’re at and don’t want to move. The knobs have a finish as well and need to be cleaned regularly. Only open them with clean hands and never use a kitchen utensil. Wipe them down with a wet dishcloth or paper towel to keep them shiny and new looking.

Avoid water and moisture damage

Add lining to the inside of all cabinets to prevent water damage

Keep an exhaust fan running while you are cooking to keep grease from flying onto your cabinets

Clean spills and splatters immediately, because prolonged exposure to food, water, or other liquids, or to oil and grease splatters, can cause permanent discoloration or damage to your cabinet’s finish.

Learn More About East Coast Construction SD

Whether you are renovating your existing home or are preparing to sell, the cabinetry used throughout your home will absolutely play a role in the overall aesthetic. If you've been thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, consider meeting with the professionals at East Coast Construction SD. We are the leaders in home design and remodeling on the Space Coast & Treasure Coast. Please take a moment to browse our website to learn more.