Issue 24.11
The Senior Sampler welcomes Ben as a member of its team of writers. Ben will be giving readers the benefit of his expertise in caring for cabinetry in their homes.
Like any fine-quality surface, your cabinetry should be treated carefully and cleaned and maintained with quality materials. Here are some tips for keeping your cabinets in new condition.
1. DO NOT allow water, chemicals (detergents, ammonia, vinegar, etc.) and hot or acid food spills to set on your cabinets. ALWAYS immediately wipe up spills as quickly as possible so they won’t damage the wood.
2. DO use a soft cloth. DO NOT USE coarse or abrasive cloths or materials as they may dull the finish or leave scratches that cannot be removed. DEFINITELY AVOID soap pads, scouring pads and brushes.
3. DO use soapy water, a mild all purpose cleaner without ammonia, or an oil soap cleaner made especially for wood components. DO NOT USE ammonia, products that contain ammonia, strong solvent cleaners, mineral spirits, paint thinner or any other harsh cleaning chemicals.
4. DO use high quality polish that is especially formulated for fine furniture. DO NOT USE wax or a polish that contains silicone. Wax builds up on the surface and causes yellowing; silicones smudge and highlight fingerprints, and can be removed only with extreme measures.
5. For melamine (Most cabinets built in the last 20 years have a melamine interior) or thermofoil (simulated wood) cabinetry, DO clean with a mild nonabrasive cleaner using a soft cloth. DO NOT USE ammonia or any type of abrasive cleaner or cloth.
6. Most drawer and sliding tray glides have a 100 lb. weight capacity, however not all drawer are designed to hold this weight. Periodically check to make sure that you are not placing too heavy a load on shelves and drawer bottoms. This is especially important with sliding trays, slide out drawers, lazy susans, and any place where heavy or unbalanced loads can shorten the life expectancy of the moving or mechanical parts.
Cleaning will not repair damage, scratches or renew your finish. If the finish is worn, water damaged, scratched, or you have black build up from use, you need a professional. NHance wood renewal specializes in bringing your finish on cabinets and wood floors back to new luster without the dust, mess and strong chemical odors traditionally associated with refinishing, and at a fraction of the cost. We can also easily change the color of your cabinets. You can contact me at 669-7080 for a free in home consultation for renewing your wood with NHance.