Cabinet Care
and Cleaning Guidelines
A soft cotton
cloth dampened with warm water is usually sufficient to
clean your cabinets. If more thorough cleaning is required,
use one of the following cleaning solutions:
Use the mildest
cleaning solution that will successfully clean your
cabinets. Stronger products may damage or discolor your
cabinet finish and are not recommended.
After cleaning,
wipe all surfaces with a clean, damp cloth. Dry immediately,
using another soft, clean cloth.
Splatters and
Spills
Clean spills and splatters immediately. Prolonged exposure
to spills, including food, water or other liquids, or to oil
and grease splatters, can cause permanent discoloration or
damage to your cabinet’s finish.
Cleaning
Products to Avoid
Avoid using the following cleaning products on your
cabinets:
-
Harsh
chemicals.
-
Abrasive
cleaning products such as tub and sink cleansers,
scouring powder, scouring pads or steel wool.
-
Sponges or
dish clothes. They may contain particles that could
scratch your cabinets, or they may contain food and oil
residue.
-
Solvent-based or petroleum-based products such as
mineral spirits, nail-polish removers or paint thinners.
-
Ammonia or
cleaning products that include ammonia.
-
Bleach or
cleaning products that include bleach.
-
Silicone-based cleaning, waxing, or polishing products.
Regular Dusting
Use a clean, soft lint-free cotton cloth for regular
dusting.
Packaged dusting
sheets are not required or recommended. Do not use
pre-moistened dusting sheets, and do not use aerosol
products made for dusting.
Waxing and
Polishing
Waxing is not required or recommended. Over time, waxing and
polishing compounds may build up on the surface of your
cabinets and cause a hazy, streaky or yellowed appearance.
This wax build up is very difficult to remove.
Cleaning Glass
Doors
Extra care is required when cleaning glass doors. Spray an
ammonia-free glass cleaner on a clean, soft, lint-free cloth
or paper towel. Do not spray cleaner directly on the glass.
It could seep behind the window dividers and cause damage.
Scratches,
Gouges and Nicks
A
Touch-Up Kit is available to hide surface damage. Contact
the place of business where you purchased your cabinetry to
purchase the color-matched touch-up kit for your specific
cabinets.
Use the kit’s
touch-up pen to hide minor blemishes. Use the kit’s tinted
putty stick to fill deeper scratches, gouges or nicks.
Detailed instructions are provided in each kit.
Avoid Moisture
Damage
Avoid draping damp clothes or dishtowels over cabinet doors.
This moisture can cause permanent damage – such peeling and
discoloration – to the cabinet’s finish.
Avoid Heat
Damage
The heat generated when using an oven’s self-cleaning
feature is much greater than during normal cooking. If this
heat escapes from the oven, it can damage your cabinets.
While this is a rare circumstance, you can minimize the risk
of cabinet damage by removing cabinet doors and drawers
nearest the oven before using its self-cleaning feature.
Avoid Light
Damage
Exposure to direct sunlight tends to darken the color of
natural wood products. Sunlight can also fade painted wood
surfaces, laminated surfaces and thermofoil surfaces. You
should consider draperies or blinds to shield your cabinets
from direct sunlight.
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