The Beginners Guide To Caring For Your Custom Kitchen Cabinet

You’ve sprung for a gorgeous set of custom kitchen cabinets that complement your kitchen beautifully, earning compliments and envious glances from your guests. And why shouldn’t they? Cabinets are one of the first things that are noticed when you enter a kitchen, and they add to the overall ambiance of the space. They are a long-term investment, and you’ll want to ensure they always look their best and stay looking great over the years.

As with most things, regular care and upkeep are key to maintaining your cabinets. Depending on the materials of the interior and exterior of the cabinet, the amount and type of maintenance will vary. So, always consult with professionals, like our team at Tampa Deluxe Cabinets – leaders in custom kitchen cabinets in Tampa Bay, to be advised on the exact materials and frequency of care you should use. However, we’ve put together a list of simple activities below that you can practice to ensure your cabinets remain brand new.

1. Have a routine cleaning schedule

Have a regular cleaning schedule for your entire home, and include your kitchen cabinets as part of it. Ideally, a light clean every two weeks will keep them in tip-top shape while preventing the accumulation of difficult-to-remove grime and dirt. You’ll want to wipe down the exterior of your cabinets with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt.

When cleaning the interior of your cabinet, lightly brush or vacuum the shelves to ensure that no crumbs or other particles are spread when wiping them down with the damp cloth. Keep the cabinet open for an hour or two to allow it to dry out properly.

2. Carefully select your cleaning materials

Ensure at every step to use a gentle cleaning solution paired with a soft cloth. A simple homemade solution can be made using a mixture of mild soap and water. Never use something abrasive that may scratch or damage the cabinet. Ideally, gentle cotton fabrics work well – even an old cotton t-shirt can work well as it would have been washed regularly and would be pretty soft.

Be wary of using the many home remedy solutions found online, as they can risk damaging wooden cabinets due to their acidic or alkaline content. Suppose you must use a more robust cleaning solution for stubborn stains. In that case, it is recommended you do so sparingly and first try them on the interior of your cabinet and wait for some time to gauge any reaction the cabinet may have.

For cleaning edges and trim, you may need to use a soft bristle toothbrush dipped into dish soap water to clean those hard-to-reach spots.

3. Wipe down the handles and handholds

It’s easy sometimes to overlook handles and other contact points; however, these are sometimes the exact spots that can accumulate stains and grime quickest. Cooking is messy, and it’s easy to reach for something in a cabinet, forgetting to wipe or wash your grubby hand. It’s usually very straightforward, with a simple wipe-down using a damp cloth with a mild cleaning solution being sufficient.

Yet, If the handle hasn’t been cleaned in a while, you may need to remove it to thoroughly scrub it and let it dry properly before reinstalling. If any disassembly is required, it’s always recommended to work with a professional from your installation company to avoid unnecessary damage. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, our team of professionals at Tampa Deluxe Cabinets can assist in any repair or maintenance process required, so consider getting in touch.

4. Avoid excess moisture and sunlight

Moisture can cause damage to your cabinets over time, especially on wood, where it can cause it to rot and crack. Ensure your cabinets are kept dry, and even when cleaning them with a damp cloth, ensure to wring it out properly to make sure it isn’t too wet. Consider using a dry cloth afterward to soak up any leftover moisture if necessary.

Spills or leaks can cause quick damage to your cabinet, and in case of any spills, ensure to clean it up quickly. Direct sunlight, in turn, can cause wood and paint to fade and discolor, so try to ensure that light doesn’t fall directly onto your cabinets.

5. Consider using shelf lining

To avoid scratches and other damage to your shelving over time, you may want to consider a shelf insert to protect your shelves over time. It’s an inexpensive DIY installation that can provide long-lasting protection for the cabinet interior. And it’s easy to clean once it’s gotten too dirty or worn out – simply dispose of it and replace it with a new one.

6. Don’t forget about the items stored within

Now that you’ve successfully taken the time to clean your cabinets, you can replace the items held within back where they were stored. But wait! Replacing dusty or grimy items into your cabinet without ensuring they are clean invalidates your efforts. So always give the objects a cursory dusting and wiping down before placing them back into the cabinets.

Apart from these simple maintenance tasks, you may encounter minor or major damage over time on your cabinets. In those cases, it is highly recommended you call the professionals to take care of any refacing or refurbishment needed. A lousy DIY patch job can result in reasonable repair becoming expensive.

Congratulations! You are now geared with the knowledge to look after your brand-new cabinets and keep them looking new for a long time. And speaking of new cabinets, if you require new custom build cabinets for your home, you’ve found the best in Tampa Bay. Contact our team at Tampa Deluxe Cabinets for a free consultation on how we can help you design and install the perfect cabinets for your space!

Get Your Custom Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets Today!

Please leave us a message, and one of our team members will get back to you with help.

Name * Phone * Email * Comment or Message * Custom Captcha * = Send

Edel Mena

As a cabinet designer and maker, I deeply appreciate the beauty and functionality of well-crafted cabinetry. Whether it’s a custom built-in storage unit or a handcrafted piece of furniture, I take great pride in creating stylish and functional pieces.