When you have hardwood cabinets installed in your home, take the time to sit back, look, and enjoy the true beauty of this upgrade. You may think that you do not have to worry about cleaning and caring for your new cupboards for a while, but this is not true. Ensuring that everything continues to look as good as new starts with proper care from the very beginning.
Before you do a thing with your new cabinets, read the manufacturers' maintenance instructions. The various finishes available for hardwood require different cleaners and care options. Find out what is recommended for yours.
Even if a cleaner is recommended, you should still test it out before using it on every square inch of the surface. Apply a little of the solution to an area that is not easily seen. Wait a while to make sure it does not damage the surface in any way.
You need to dust regularly to ensure that dust and debris do not cause any damage. Use a lint-free cloth to do this, and consider dampening it slightly, but always dry all surfaces when you are done.
Remember that hardwood cabinets are similar in durability to fine wood furniture. You need to treat them as such and protect them from excess moisture, which can damage them. Watch around the sink, oven, dishwasher, and even baseboards for this problem. Dry any water you find, and then look for the source to stop the problem if you can.
Sometimes your cabinets will get stained. Use non-alkaline soap and water to clean these, unless the manufacturer does not recommend it. Then, when you are done, use a soft cloth to dry and buff the surface. Never leave any kind of cleaning solution on the surface of a cabinet, because it will damage the wood. Never use scrubbing pads, powdered cleaners, or abrasive cleaners at any time on hardwood furnishings.
Cleaning the interior is simple. All you need to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth or sponge. Make sure it is dry before you put your dishes and food back inside.
When you are cleaning windows near a cupboard, spray the glass cleaner onto a rag while standing away from the wood surface. Then, use the rag to wipe down the window. Spraying directly on the window could allow some of the cleaner to hit the cabinetry and damage the finish.
When cleaning pulls and knobs on your cabinetry, use mild soap and water. Like the windows, if you use harsh chemicals here, some could drip onto the wood. Also, strong chemicals may harm the finish on the handles as well. If the soap and water are not sufficient, remove the handles and clean them away from the cabinetry.
If you find damaged finish, be very careful in how you handle it. You may want to have the installer come and fix the problem. Otherwise, try to get a repair kit directly from the manufacturer to ensure you match the finish perfectly. Pretest to ensure you know what you are doing, and follow the instructions well as you fix the problem.
Before you do a thing with your new cabinets, read the manufacturers' maintenance instructions. The various finishes available for hardwood require different cleaners and care options. Find out what is recommended for yours.
Even if a cleaner is recommended, you should still test it out before using it on every square inch of the surface. Apply a little of the solution to an area that is not easily seen. Wait a while to make sure it does not damage the surface in any way.
You need to dust regularly to ensure that dust and debris do not cause any damage. Use a lint-free cloth to do this, and consider dampening it slightly, but always dry all surfaces when you are done.
Remember that hardwood cabinets are similar in durability to fine wood furniture. You need to treat them as such and protect them from excess moisture, which can damage them. Watch around the sink, oven, dishwasher, and even baseboards for this problem. Dry any water you find, and then look for the source to stop the problem if you can.
Sometimes your cabinets will get stained. Use non-alkaline soap and water to clean these, unless the manufacturer does not recommend it. Then, when you are done, use a soft cloth to dry and buff the surface. Never leave any kind of cleaning solution on the surface of a cabinet, because it will damage the wood. Never use scrubbing pads, powdered cleaners, or abrasive cleaners at any time on hardwood furnishings.
Cleaning the interior is simple. All you need to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth or sponge. Make sure it is dry before you put your dishes and food back inside.
When you are cleaning windows near a cupboard, spray the glass cleaner onto a rag while standing away from the wood surface. Then, use the rag to wipe down the window. Spraying directly on the window could allow some of the cleaner to hit the cabinetry and damage the finish.
When cleaning pulls and knobs on your cabinetry, use mild soap and water. Like the windows, if you use harsh chemicals here, some could drip onto the wood. Also, strong chemicals may harm the finish on the handles as well. If the soap and water are not sufficient, remove the handles and clean them away from the cabinetry.
If you find damaged finish, be very careful in how you handle it. You may want to have the installer come and fix the problem. Otherwise, try to get a repair kit directly from the manufacturer to ensure you match the finish perfectly. Pretest to ensure you know what you are doing, and follow the instructions well as you fix the problem.
