After putting a large portion of time and money into the new custom cabinetry for your home, you are definitely going to want to care for it. This doesn't mean you have to invest large amounts of time cleaning the details of the custom cabinets. All it takes is a few minutes of your time and a few smart cleaning tips to keep your kitchen cupboards and bathroom cabinets looking as beautiful as the first day you seen them.
Removing Dust From Custom Cabinetry
Like the rest of the surfaces in your home, cabinetry quickly collects dust -- especially on the horizontal ledges. To remove the dust without harming the finish, gently wipe across the wood with a dry, lint-free cloth that will not scratch.
If you do notice fine, micro scratching in the clear coat, you can rub it with a tiny amount of petroleum jelly to temporarily fill in scratches and keep it looking shiny. This will need to be repeated each time you dust and you may also have to dust more frequently, but it is far less expensive than refinishing the cabinet.
Dealing With Water On Kitchen Cupboards And Bathroom Cabinets
In areas such as the kitchen and bathroom, water will inevitably touch your beautiful custom cabinets. It is extremely important to wipe the water off immediately to prevent it from soaking into the wood. If you do happen to get water stains, use a soft cloth with non-alkaline soap such as dish detergent with warm water.
Simply wipe the stain away gently and dry it immediately. You will want to be sure to wipe it in the direction of the grain so that the wood grain will hide any light scratches that do occur. It will also remove the watermark more efficiently because the cloth will follow into the graining instead of skipping overtop.
Cleaning The Interior Of Your Custom Cabinetry And Glass Inserts
From daily use, you will notice the inside of your custom cabinets will collect dust and dirt. For kitchen cupboards and bathroom cabinets lined with laminate, wipe them out quickly with a little dish soap and water. Just remember not to make the wood wet. For hardwood interiors, wipe them with a damp cloth in a small area and dry them immediately.
For drawers, baking pan cupboards, and other deep cabinets, use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the dust and dirt carefully. The long narrow attachments work great for this. When it comes to mullion frames and glass inserts, never spray glass cleaner onto the glass. Instead, spray some on a cloth and clean the glass while avoiding the wood surface.
For the protection of your custom cabinets, use the instructions that came from the manufacturer because each type of finish requires slightly different care. It doesn't take a large amount of time, but the cleaning does need to be done on a regular basis. Caring for your custom cabinetry will keep it looking fantastic, but it will extend the life of the finish so they can continue to add to the richness of your home for years to come.
