As with any product constructed of wood, a few moments of care and a little common sense can go a long way in keeping your new cabinets looking their best. Here are a few simple suggestions to make your cabinet care easier.
The Basics
Remedies for Common Kitchen Accidents Wiping up any spills as soon as they occur can prevent most problems. Follow these first aid suggestions for common household accidents. When removing a spot, begin at the outer edge and work toward the middle to prevent the spot from spreading.
Food and Water Spots: Clean cabinets as needed with a mild detergent or with soap and water (use sparingly) and dry well using a lint-free cloth for both washing and drying. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Grease Spots: Rub grease, lipstick, crayon or oil with a damp cloth. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Chewing Gum or Candle Wax: Apply a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the deposit until it is brittle enough to crumble off. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Nicks and Dents: Most nicks and dents can be repaired with the a Cabinetry Care Kit. These can be purchased at a variety of locations.
Scratches or Burns: Most common scratches or burns can be repaired with a cabinetry care kit. Rub the area with fine sandpaper until you have removed the scratch or burn. Re-stain with a color matched Touch-up Stain and apply a light coat of clear cabinet sealer finish. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Laminate Cabinets: Follow the above wood cabinet care guidelines for your laminate and thermofoil door styles (except for cleaners/polishes specifically made for wood). Acrylic Adhesive Caulk and plastic Seam Fillers are available for these cabinet types in different finishes.
ALWAYS TREAT YOUR CABINETS AS YOU WOULD TREAT FINE FURNITURE.
Other Characteristics of Wood Authentic woods vary in color and character markings such as streaks, knots and grain patterns. Since the finish stains may attract differently to these grain patterns, some light and dark areas may result. The beauty lies in these natural variations of color and grain that give each cabinet its own individual charm. Over time, changes in the finish color may occur. Because of the natural aging process, the finish can also “deepen” over time, darkening the color of the wood or creating a “shadowing” effect where doors overlap the frame. Due to these minor differences in tone, it may not be possible to match the finish color of existing cabinets exactly when replacing doors or adding cabinets at a later date. Lighter and natural finishes and glazes highlight the inherent qualities of genuine wood to create a truly beautiful product. Only select solid hardwoods and hardwood veneers have been used to construct your cabinetry. The beauty of these genuine woods lies in the variations of color and grain. Shading of white, red, black, yellow, and even green may be visible. Mineral streaks may also add to the distinctive appearance, reflecting the tree’s “life history” as it absorbs minerals differently from one area to another. Grain and apparent texture may range from even and consistent to varied and dramatic. These natural variations result in the unique character markings on adjacent cabinets, on pairs of doors and even within the same panel. These variations can also appear on edges of hardwood doors where solid lumber cores are exposed in certain styles. CVCT points out these unique characteristics of wood to remind you that each piece is different. The varied effect, more clearly evident in the natural finish, may be different in a complete kitchen from that represented in a smaller display or finish sample. Neither the manufacturer nor CVCT can be responsible for the type or degree of natural variations in your cabinets.
The Basics
- Clean cabinets as needed with a mild detergent or with soap and water (use sparingly) and dry well using a lint-free cloth for both washing and drying.
- Wipe up spills, splatters and water spots as they occur, keeping cabinets and countertop surfaces dry.
- Give special attention to areas near the sink and dishwasher that come in contact with moisture.
- Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
- Do not use aerosol sprays containing silicones or paste waxes.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or powdered cleaners. These materials may penetrate the cabinet finish allowing moisture to enter and cause deterioration.
- Do not leave wet cloths on or near cabinets.
- Do not allow oven cleaners or other caustic cleaners to touch the cabinets.
- Follow instructions carefully for self-cleaning ovens and other kitchen appliances around cabinets.
Remedies for Common Kitchen Accidents Wiping up any spills as soon as they occur can prevent most problems. Follow these first aid suggestions for common household accidents. When removing a spot, begin at the outer edge and work toward the middle to prevent the spot from spreading.
Food and Water Spots: Clean cabinets as needed with a mild detergent or with soap and water (use sparingly) and dry well using a lint-free cloth for both washing and drying. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Grease Spots: Rub grease, lipstick, crayon or oil with a damp cloth. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Chewing Gum or Candle Wax: Apply a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the deposit until it is brittle enough to crumble off. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Nicks and Dents: Most nicks and dents can be repaired with the a Cabinetry Care Kit. These can be purchased at a variety of locations.
Scratches or Burns: Most common scratches or burns can be repaired with a cabinetry care kit. Rub the area with fine sandpaper until you have removed the scratch or burn. Re-stain with a color matched Touch-up Stain and apply a light coat of clear cabinet sealer finish. Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed.
Laminate Cabinets: Follow the above wood cabinet care guidelines for your laminate and thermofoil door styles (except for cleaners/polishes specifically made for wood). Acrylic Adhesive Caulk and plastic Seam Fillers are available for these cabinet types in different finishes.
ALWAYS TREAT YOUR CABINETS AS YOU WOULD TREAT FINE FURNITURE.
Other Characteristics of Wood Authentic woods vary in color and character markings such as streaks, knots and grain patterns. Since the finish stains may attract differently to these grain patterns, some light and dark areas may result. The beauty lies in these natural variations of color and grain that give each cabinet its own individual charm. Over time, changes in the finish color may occur. Because of the natural aging process, the finish can also “deepen” over time, darkening the color of the wood or creating a “shadowing” effect where doors overlap the frame. Due to these minor differences in tone, it may not be possible to match the finish color of existing cabinets exactly when replacing doors or adding cabinets at a later date. Lighter and natural finishes and glazes highlight the inherent qualities of genuine wood to create a truly beautiful product. Only select solid hardwoods and hardwood veneers have been used to construct your cabinetry. The beauty of these genuine woods lies in the variations of color and grain. Shading of white, red, black, yellow, and even green may be visible. Mineral streaks may also add to the distinctive appearance, reflecting the tree’s “life history” as it absorbs minerals differently from one area to another. Grain and apparent texture may range from even and consistent to varied and dramatic. These natural variations result in the unique character markings on adjacent cabinets, on pairs of doors and even within the same panel. These variations can also appear on edges of hardwood doors where solid lumber cores are exposed in certain styles. CVCT points out these unique characteristics of wood to remind you that each piece is different. The varied effect, more clearly evident in the natural finish, may be different in a complete kitchen from that represented in a smaller display or finish sample. Neither the manufacturer nor CVCT can be responsible for the type or degree of natural variations in your cabinets.