Incorporating custom cabinetry and millwork into your home, while increasing the value and liability of the space, is also a major investment for you and your family. Ensure that your newly purchased goods last and keep their appeal for years to come by maintaining cleanliness and proper routine care.
Step 1: CLEAN THEM
Keep it simple! Using warm water and a minor soap dilution on a soft cloth can get the job done. It is best to avoid cleaners with wax, petroleum solvents, or silicones. Those products can cause a residue to be left on the cabinets and even create a wax buildup. Wax buildup can lead to discoloration of the cabinetry, and that is the last thing you want! Avoid abrasive cleaners or sponges as well as the wood can gouge and can be incredibly hard to fix. Dry immediately after cleaning with a dry cloth. Excess water is never good for the cabinets, so less is more in this situation!
Step 2: REPAIRS
While you are trying your best to keep the new cabinets perfect, accidents happen! Scratches, dings, and dents are inevitable. Use a touch pen to color correct scratches; retighten any loosened handle screws to keep the hardware intact; and make sure drawer tracks are clear of debris and crumbs before opening and closing tightly packed drawers. Keeping up with the small repairs and maintenance can help you avoid bigger issues in the future!
Step 3: BE GENTLE
Excessive slamming of doors and pulling on the drawers can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the hardware of the cabinets. Another tip that seems silly but is extremely helpful is to use the knobs and handles on the cabinets to open and close them. Constantly opening and closing the actual wood can leave fingerprints on the cabinet and even break down the cabinet over time. Avoid excess weight on the shelves in the cabinets as well. Overly heavy items can impact overall integrity and cause stress on the hinges and other hardware. Easy enough to achieve, but easily forgotten as well!
The beauty and functionality of your home has no doubt increased with your new custom cabinetry installation. Invest the time to clean them and make sure they stick around as long as you need them to.
Any home project can start to feel overwhelming, whether its a new garage addition with built-in storage, or new custom cabinets for your kitchen. But at Latham we are here with you every step of the way! From start to finish our team will walk you through the design, build, and installation processes until project completion.
