If you’ve had your kitchen cabinets refaced recently, you want to do more than show them off. You want to get the most from your investment. It’s why proper care is important.
To help you maintain the beauty and appearance of your cabinets, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Tip #1: Clean Up Spills Pronto
While the finish on your refaced cabinets offers protection against splashes and spills, it’s not absolute. Therefore, don’t let spills, splatter, grease, or grime sit on your cabinets. Instead, clean up any messes immediately.
If oily splatter or water is left to sit on the surface, it can seep into the finish, set, and lead to damage that you can see. Even if your cabinets don’t look dirty, wipe them down every other week to remove any dirt or grease not visible to the eye.
Tip #2: Use the Right Tools & Products
Your newly refaced cabinets can get dirty fast due to use and high foot traffic. However, you don’t need harsh cleaning products to restore them. Cleaning supplies made with abrasive ingredients, or ammonia and bleach, can damage the surface of your newly refaced cabinets or leave them faded and dull.
Instead, use a soft cloth that’s dampened with a couple of drops of mild dish soap and water. Avoid any cloth that is rough or made with steel wool, which will scratch the surface of the cabinets. Rather, opt for something soft, like a microfiber cloth, then wipe your cabinets down gently. Next, dry them thoroughly with a new, clean cloth.
Tip #3: Avoid Excessive Water
Moisture is one of the biggest threats to refaced cabinets. Avoid using soaking wet sponges when you’re cleaning your cabinets. The excess moisture can damage the finish on your newly refaced kitchen cabinets.
Also, don’t drape wet cloths or towels over cabinet doors, which too can cause damage. In addition, each time you clean your cabinets, wipe them down with a soft, dry cloth, so moisture doesn’t sit on the surface.
Tip #4: Avoid the Extremes
This includes exposing your cabinets to high heat, steam, or cooking smoke. Exposure can lead to damage to the finish in the form of discoloration.
For instance, if you have a refaced cabinet over your stovetop, be sure to turn on the fan. When the fan is running, your cabinets are protected from moisture, gasses, cooking substances, smoke, and excess heat.
Tip #5: Don’t Polish Your Newly Refaced Cabinets
Don’t wax them either. This is because polish or wax build up on the surface over time and can make your cabinets appear dull. At the same time, wax and polish can attract dust, dirt, and other particles, which then stick to the wax or polish, further impacting the look of the finish.
Tip #6: Be Kind to Your Cabinets
Refaced cabinets are designed to hold up to wear and tear in a high-traffic kitchen. However, still treat them with care. Avoid kicking cabinet doors closed or yanking open or slamming drawers. This will help to prevent indents, cracks, scratches, and other flaws.
Also, don’t lean on or against the cabinet doors. This can cause door hinges to break or even a fastener to tear out of the doors or cabinet boxes.
Tip #7: Prevent Direct Sunlight
Sunlight can make your kitchen seem warm and bright. If, however, the sun is directly hitting some of your cabinets, it can cause the finish to fade over time. If the design of your kitchen is causing this to happen, invest in window treatments to limit direct sun exposure.
Ready to Get Your Cabinets Refaced?
If you’re interested in finding out more about cabinet refacing, turn to the pros at N-Hance®. We can walk you through your options, from door styles and colors to hardware and upgrades, like cabinet storage solutions, pull out trash cans, and under-sink organization.
Once your design decisions are made, we can turn your cabinet refacing project around in just a few days. Simply take care of your cabinets and they’ll last you for years to come.
Call N-Hance at (855) 642-6230 today to set up a free consultation and transform your cabinets – and your whole kitchen – with cabinet refacing.