Which Tip for Maintaining Long-Lasting Kitchen Cabinets is The Best?

Kitchen cabinets are a highly underrated part of every kitchen. They are often thought of as practical, but they add symmetry to a kitchen and can be an essential part of the overall look of your home, especially in an open-concept design. 

Of course, you want to keep your cabinets looking as lovely as the day they were installed, but many people don't even know where to start when it comes to maintaining their cabinets. There is no single tip for maintaining long-lasting kitchen cabinets.

Instead, there are multiple steps you can take through your weekly chores to keep them looking nice. 

Close the Doors but Go Easy On Them

Clean cabinets start inside where dust and other grime can build up inside the cabinets and on the hinges. The simplest way to keep them clean is by ensuring that your cabinets are always closed when not in use. When you close the doors, make sure to do it gently.

Slamming the door once probably won't cause much damage, but repeatedly closing the doors hard leads to a lot of wear and tear over time, like loose hinges. This wear and tear can lead to other issues down the road and make it difficult or even impossible to repair. 

Use Your Hood Fan and Watch Where You Put Candles

Too much smoke from cooking or candles can discolor or even damage the finish on your cabinets. This damage usually happens over time, but it can happen after a single event like a candle with a high flame that will leave scorch marks on the bottom of your cabinet doors.

Although the hood doesn't stop splatter, it is also vital to mention that cooking, in general, can be hazardous to your cabinets as grease can pop and splash on them. Make sure to wipe down the hood and any surrounding cabinets after cooking any particularly messy meals. 

Use Soft Cleaning Products and Safe Cleaners

To maintain the longevity of your cabinets, you need to keep them safe on a day-to-day basis. Weekly cleaning is necessary to keep your cabinets looking their best, but it can also damage your cabinets if not done correctly. Never use harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and acetone because they can remove the finish and discolor your cabinets. 

It's not just what you use on the cupboards, but what you use to apply the chemicals and remove them. Abrasive scrubbers like steel wool and even rough dish pads and towels can scratch softwood and finishes leaving your cabinets looking scratched and dull. Always use soft towels to apply and remove cleaning agents to ensure that your cabinets stay in pristine condition. 

Inspect and Repair Regularly

A kitchen is an active place, and even when you take the best care of your cabinets, they can be damaged by everyday use. To keep your cabinets looking beautiful, it is essential to check your cabinets regularly for damage like loose hinges and broken handles.

Catching this damage early and repairing it quickly prevents irreparable damage in the future. Minor repairs now can save you from expensive repairs or replacements in the future. 

Start With Quality

A great way to maintain long-lasting cabinets is to start with quality products in the first place. Cabinets made with quality materials can stand up to the normal wear and tear of kitchen use a lot better than budget cabinets. 

Reimagine Your Kitchen

There is no single tip that is the best for maintaining long-lasting kitchen cabinets. Instead, it is a combination of small things you do every day that keeps them looking showroom ready. If you think that your kitchen can use a fresh new look, there is no better time than now to get started.

If you have questions about new kitchen cabinets or want to set up a consultation to see what we can do for you, contact us today for more information.