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How To Protect And Maintain Your New Cabinet Surfaces

Like any big purchase, kitchen cabinets are an investment you want to maintain for as long as possible. It is important to take proper care of your cabinetry, and know how to protect your cabinet surfaces from every day wear and tear. While your kitchen cabinets can’t last for all eternity, they should stay in good condition for a very long time with these tips.

 

Dishwashing Liquid and ClothCleaning Cabinet Surfaces

 

After cooking, make it a habit to give your cabinets a once over, and wipe away any splashes or spills you might see. By removing food and liquids as soon as possible, you will avoid any major staining or damage.

 

When cleaning any type of kitchen cabinets, it’s important to be gentle to avoid scratching or damaging the surface. A couple drops of mild dishwashing liquid and warm water is a good, easy solution to mix up — and always use a soft cloth! Brushes or abrasive sponges are not the right tools for cleaning cabinet surfaces.

 

If your dishwashing liquid and water solution isn’t doing the job, you can try your luck with an all-purpose cleaner. Like with any new surface, it is recommended to do a “patch test” first before spraying the product everywhere. In a discreet area or inside a door, test the cleaner to make sure your cabinets don’t have an adverse reaction to any of the ingredients. Once you’re in the clear, move forward with trying the all-purpose cleaner on the problem area. Always wipe with water after using an all-purpose cleaner on cabinets to avoid any discoloration or streaking.

 

Dealing with scratches or serious stains? Below you’ll find some additional tips on caring for cabinets based on their material.

 

Wood

 

If you have wood or painted cabinets, you’ll want to avoid all oil products. The oil will sit on top of the finish and could actually attract more dirt and grime. If you have a scratch or indentation you want to repair, use a wood filler wax blend stick. You’ll find these available in different shades to closely match the finish of your wood cabinets.

 

Laminate

 

You will find repair kits that are especially made for laminate cabinets, and these are your best option when dealing with a scratch on laminate kitchen cabinets. If a stain is your issue, you can attempt to absorb the stain by covering it with a baking soda paste. Just add a little water to the baking soda and apply it directly over the stain. Be gentle when removing the paste, as you don’t want the rough texture of the baking soda to scratch the laminate.

 

Thermofoil

 

Similar to laminate, if you have scratches on your thermofoil cabinets you’ll need to purchase a repair kit specifically made for treating this material. While more durable now than in years past, both laminate and thermofoil cabinets can only be repaired so much. If they have incurred any severe damage, the only way to make them look new will be to replace them.

 

Regency Espresso - The RTA StoreGlass

 

For kitchen cabinets that have glass doors, you can use any cleaner designed for glass surfaces, or make your own solution of one-part water and one-part white vinegar. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions first before cleaning glass, or any other type of cabinet doors, to ensure they don’t require any special care.

 

 

At The RTA Store we help make your dream kitchen a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled kitchen cabinets, and accessories with the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your kitchen dreams come true with the help of our free kitchen design tool!