Recommendations for Everyday Cabinet Care
Spills and watermarks should be wiped clean promptly. Never hang damp or wet dish towels over cabinet doors or drawers. This moisture can cause permanent damage to cabinets including peeling and discoloration to the finish. Your kitchen cabinets are more susceptible to grease and food spills than most other areas of your home. To prevent the buildup of weekly dust and grease we recommend cleaning your cabinets regularly. Use a dampened soft cotton cloth to clean your cabinets, wiping in the direction of the grain. Only use a mild detergent with warm water.
Abrasive cleaning products will damage your cabinet’s finish. Avoid the following:
- Harsh chemicals
- Steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive powdered cleaning products
- Sponges or dishtowels. These items may contain remnants of food and grease residue that could scratch your cabinets.
- Bleach or products containing bleach
- Ammonia or products containing ammonia
- Waxing or polishing products that are silicone based
- Nail polish removers, paint thinners, mineral spirits or any other solvent-based or petroleum-based products
- Flammable and toxic spray polishes that contain petroleum-based products
Commercial cleaning products may be used to clean and protect your cabinets; however, you should always read the label to be sure it can be used on the finish. Follow directions exactly. You should always test on the inside of a door to make sure it will not harm your cabinet’s finish.
Avoid excessive heat, moisture and dryness. Heat generated from self-cleaning appliances is much greater than during normal cooking. Flintstone recommends carefully removing any doors and drawers from cabinets adjacent to or directly above or below the appliance before beginning the cleaning cycle. While this type of damage is rare, removing the doors and drawers will help prevent any possible damage to the finish or surface of your cabinets.
You should not mount or use heat-producing appliances including, coffee makers, kettles, or toaster ovens beneath cabinets. These items can generate damaging levels of heat and moisture. Moisture and humidity levels in the home can play a major role in the life of your cabinets. A temperature level of 68 – 73 degrees and a relative humidity level of 40% - 45% are recommended.
Avoid excessive sunlight. Exposure to strong light sources will cause natural wood products to darken over time. Excessive exposure to sunlight will also cause thermofoil and painted surfaces to fade. It is important to note that such changes are irreversible.
