Have you ever noticed that the kitchen cabinet is switched on and off dozens of times every day, bearing the impact of lampblack, water vapor and heavy objects, but often can not get due maintenance? Whether your cabinets are high-end solid wood, fashionable paint, or durable stainless steel, they all support the operation of the kitchen. If long-term neglect of caring for kitchen cabinets, within a few years may appear paint off, loose, deformation and even moldy problems.
But the good news is: the life of the cabinet is actually in your hands.
Through some simple and practical daily caring for kitchen cabinets skills, you can effectively extend the service life of the cabinet, make them durable, not only save maintenance costs, but also keep the kitchen clean and beautiful. This article will start from cleaning, hardware maintenance, moisture-proof heat and other angles, combined with the characteristics of cabinets of different materials, for you to sort out 10 practical maintenance skills, so that your kitchen is durable and stylish.
Are you ready? Let’s start with the first key move.
1. Clean cabinet surfaces weekly
Cleaning the surface of the cabinet every week is the basis of caring for kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinets are easy to accumulate dust, oil stains and food debris, if not cleaned up in time, easy to form sticky stains and discoloration.
It is recommended to gently wipe all visible surfaces such as door, drawer surface and handle with a soft microfiber cloth stained with warm water and neutral dish detergent.
Focus on frequently touched areas such as handles and the edges of cabinet doors, as these are the areas where dirt is most likely to accumulate.
Note: Do not use steel balls, alcohol or strong alkali cleaners, they can scratch or dry the surface of the door panel.
2. Protection from moisture and heat is essential
Humidity and high temperature are the biggest “killer” of cabinets, especially those made of solid wood or woodenboard. Moisture can cause cabinets to expand, deform, delaminate and even mold, while high temperatures can make the paint crack and fall off.
Water stains or splashes should be dried in time, especially around sinks, dishwashers and cooktops. Waterproof trays or MATS should be laid in the cabinet under the sink to prevent leakage.
To prevent heat damage, heat insulation pads can be placed near ovens and stoves. Equipped with a high-efficiency range hood and keeping the kitchen well ventilated will help remove steam and moisture and further protect the cabinets.
3. Check and maintain hardware regularly
Cabinet hardware such as hinges, drawer rails and handles are subjected to frequent mechanical movement and are the most prone to wear. Loose screws, creaky hinges, or jammed drawers not only affect the experience, they can also lead to more serious injuries.
It is recommended to check the hardware every 3 to 6 months and tighten the loose screws using a screwdriver. Lubricating hinges and drawer rails with silicone oil spray or light oil to keep them smooth.
For the soft closing system with damping buffer, it should be checked regularly whether the function is normal, and the damage should be replaced in time to avoid damage to the cabinet door and cabinet body.
4. Choose a mild cleaner
The choice of detergent has a direct impact on the life of the cabinet paint. Many household cleaners on the market contain bleach, ammonia or citric acid, which can cause paint and varnish surfaces to dark, fade and even crack.
Daily cleaning should use neutral detergent or dilute dish soap. Paste skin ambry can use a small amount of diluted white vinegar to remove oil stains, do not use excessive. Avoid using abrasive powder and rough brushes.
5. Avoid common misuse
Many small daily habits will gradually damage the cabinet:
- Do not hang heavy objects or damp cloth bags on the handle to prevent hardware loosening and bacteria breeding.
- Avoid pushing hard on cabinet doors or drawers to prevent hinge deformation or track jam.
- Do not place overweight items on the top of the cabinet to prevent deformation of the cabinet.
- Avoid hitting the cabinet door directly with hard objects to prevent scratches.
In daily use, attention should be paid to handling lightly to avoid improper force. Educate family members to caring for kitchen cabinets and use cabinet doors correctly to reduce human damage.
6. Properly store the inside of the cabinet
A well-organized cabinet interior is not only convenient for you to quickly find what you need, but also can effectively protect the interior of the cabinet to prevent scratches and deformation.
The use of soft cabinet lining can prevent items from coming into direct contact with the cabinet floor, reducing damage caused by friction.
Install divider and storage box, can be tableware, seasoning tank, pot cover and other items classified and placed, avoid stacking caused by pressure deformation of the cabinet.
Heavy items should be placed on the bottom floor of the cabinet, avoid stacking heavy items in the hanging cabinet, in case the cabinet sinks or falls off. Rational use of the space inside the cabinet door, install hooks or small storage rack, is also a good way to save space.
In addition, the use of airtight tanks to store dry goods not only keeps the ingredients fresh, but also prevents the entry of pests.
Different material cabinet maintenance skills
1. Solid wood cabinet maintenance skills
Solid wood cabinet texture is natural, high-grade, but more sensitive to environmental humidity and temperature.
Avoid moisture: prevent water stains from staying for a long time, avoid deformation or cracking of the cabinet. Dry the splash with a dry cloth.
Regular waxing: every 3 to 6 months with professional wood wax oil or wood maintenance agent to nourish the wood, replenish the wood moisture, maintain luster.
Prevent scratching: avoid scratching the surface with hard objects, clean with soft cloth and neutral detergent.
Control environmental humidity: keep the kitchen ventilated, avoid excessive humidity or sudden changes, reduce wood expansion and contraction.
2. Stick panel cabinet maintenance skills
Pasted panel cabinet is affordable, the surface has decorative layer, but the water resistance is poor.
Avoid water infiltration: clean up splashing water quickly dry, especially the edge and interface of the cabinet.
Use mild cleaners: avoid using strong acid and alkali cleaners to prevent veneer from falling off or fading.
Prevent direct sunlight: Avoid direct sunlight to prevent the surface from yellowing or cracking.
Avoid heavy pressure and impact: the veneer is more brittle, avoid heavy percussion or strong impact resulting in peeling.
3. Paint cabinet maintenance skills
Paint cabinets are bright and smooth, but they are sensitive to scratches and chemicals.
Rub lightly with a soft cloth: avoid excessive force and hard tools.
Avoid strong acid and alkali: prevent the paint from falling off or discoloring.
Prevent direct sunlight: Prevent color fading and paint film aging.
Clean regularly to avoid oil accumulation: Clean with warm water and neutral detergent to maintain luster.
7. Protect against pests
Kitchens are high risk areas for pest activity, especially termites, cockroaches, ants, etc. Keeping cabinets dry and clean is the primary condition for pest prevention. Avoid leaving food residue in the cabinet, clean up the garbage in time, and regularly wipe the inside of the cabinet with warm water and detergent.
Check cabinet corners and backboard crevices to block possible pest entrances. Installing seals or insect screens can effectively keep pests out. When necessary, use non-toxic and environmentally friendly insect spray to spray around the cabinet regularly. Professional pest control measures should be taken immediately to prevent the spread of pests and damage to the cabinet structure.
Brand support, make maintenance easier
If you are looking for kitchen cabinets that are both beautiful and durable, you might as well learn about us – CensoHome.We know that the kitchen cabinet is the core of the kitchen, not only carrying the daily use of wear and tear, but also reflect the style and order of a home. CensoHome has more than 16 years of experience in high-end cabinet manufacturing, serving customers in more than 80 countries around the world, and has accumulated a lot of practical experience in cabinet durability and maintenance in different climates and cultural backgrounds.
At CensoHome, we stick to:
- High density moisture-proof board, prolong the life of the cabinet in the humid environment;
- Self-developed hardware system, improve the smooth experience of each opening and closing;
- Environmental protection and stain resistant surface treatment process, easier to clean, lasting bright.
We not only produce cabinets, but also provide a whole set of life solutions: design, customization, transportation, installation one-stop service, so that you have no worries.
conclusion
The kitchen cabinet is not a “once and for all” piece of furniture, but a “frequent utility” that needs daily care. Whether you use solid wood, paint, or veneer, timely cleaning, moisture-proof, insect-proof, reasonable storage and hardware maintenance, are the key to extend the service life of the cabinet.
Remember: regular caring for kitchen cabinets small actions are better than major repairs afterwards.
Instead of worrying about mildew, deformation, and peeling years from now, take a little time each week to take good caring for kitchen cabinets today.
A clean, neat, durable as new cabinets can enhance the texture of the kitchen, but also make your cooking mood more comfortable and happy every day.
From now on, give your kitchen cabinets a little more attention and it will pay you twice as much.