Caring for Your Solid Wood Cabinets
Now that the construction dust has settled, you have time to love your new custom wood cabinets. But, did you know that hard chemicals and cleaners can damage the finish, potentially aging the wood years before its time? Before you reach for whatever is in that beautiful sink base cabinet, here are some best practices for caring for those cabinets, so you can be sure they look that good for years to come.
The most important detail to remember when caring for your wood products is to avoid excessive moisture. Because DnG Cabinetry & Millwork only uses the highest quality materials, taking care of your cabinets can be relatively easy.
Cleaning your cabinetry is as simple as using a clean, soft cotton cloth dampened with warm water. If more intense cleaning is needed for dirt or grease use a fresh solution of a mild dish-washing liquid, such as Dawn, mixed with warm water. It is not recommended to use a dish rag as it may contain remnants of dirt or grease. After cleaning be sure to immediately dry the surface with another clean dry cloth. Do not leave any moisture or standing water on the cabinets or allow water to seep into the corners of the cabinets. It is important to wipe all spills and water marks as they occur, particularly around the sink and dishwasher.
It is not recommended that you use any cleaning products that contain: oil, silicone, or wax. With the quality cabinet finish used, these products are not recommended and are unnecessary. Over time these products can build up causing discoloration of the cabinets and change the cabinet sheen, they also tend to attract dust more quickly which often causes you to use them more often. For regular dusting use a clean, dry, cotton cloth or a clean lint duster. It is not recommended to use aerosol dusting products as many of them contain oil. Never use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, ammonia or bleach on your cabinetry.
We do not recommend or endorse any other material or method for cleaning (and none should be needed) but for any other type of cleaning or product you may decide to try, we suggest that the product or method be done first in a small area in an inconspicuous spot on the cabinet, such as the back of a door.
For cleaning the interior of your cabinetry you should follow the same recommendations as the exterior, the notable exception is that the interior of the cabinets can be cleaned with most any mild, non abrasive cleaning product. The surfaces of the melamine are water resistant, however do not allow water to seep into corners and edges of the cabinet interior, this can cause swelling and discoloration of the wood substrate. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Basic Cabinet Cleaning
For everyday cleaning, a slightly damp, lint-free cloth is all you need to keep your wood cabinets beautiful. Regular dusting with a dry cloth keeps dirt from mixing with grease and steam from cooking, which make cabinets look dull.
Use a solution of mild soap and water and dry thoroughly, as standing water can cause wood to expand and warp. Read the labels too – a mild degreaser, like Dawn, works better for grease and oil than all-purpose cleaning products that can wear away at the finish. When you spill, wipe the surface immediately to remove any excess water.
Don’t forget the inside!
Just because you aren’t looking at them every day, doesn’t mean the insides of your cabinets don’t deserve some attention too. Every few weeks, remove everything from the cabinet and perform a gently wipe down of the interior. Dry the cabinets, and return everything to the cabinet. If you deal with frequent food spills, consider investing in quality food storage containers or shelf liners. Cabinet liners can significantly extend the “shelf-life” of your cabinet, and glass jars, for instance, can keep spices dry and look pretty too.
Avoid:
- Heat. Wood expands and contracts when heated and cooled, so even proximity to an appliance like your toaster can affect the finish and ultimately the lifespan on your wooden cabinets. Be sure to position these kinds of appliances a safe distance from the wooden end pieces.
- Abrasive cleaning products. Powdered bleach and steel wool pads may be great for that stuck on grime but will damage most finishes. Small scratches in the finish can create access points for moisture and stains.
2. Deep Cleaning Cabinets
Despite the most stringent cleaning regiment, every so often you will have to do a deep clean. There are so many “miracle” cabinet cleaners, so always do your homework. Some cleaners can be too strong and can bleach the wood. We always recommend doing a test spot before applying any cleaner that you are not familiar with to all the cabinets. Double-check that all the wood cleaning solution has been properly removed. Any cleaning solution that is not removed risks damaging the wood itself.
On Using Baking Soda…
Using baking soda to get rid of tough stains that normal wood solutions cannot remove. The compounds in baking soda are strong enough to remove stains without damaging the wood. Create a thick paste by mixing the baking soda with water, and then apply to the exterior. If it is a more stubborn stain, leave the baking soda on the surface for at least 15 minutes, allowing time to dissolve the grime. As baking soda can be gooey, you may consider using a spatula to remove it. Just make sure you do not scratch your cabinet in the process.
3. Polishing Cabinets
If you really want your cabinets to sparkle, what you need is a good polish or wax. More than just looking pretty, a wax will give an added layer of protection from stain causing food particles.
Wax on, wax off
Apply the polish in small sections, about 4 or 5 inches, using a circular motion. With a clean cloth, buff away any excess wax until you have that beautiful shine.
