Custom cabinetry is built to last, but a few simple habits will keep it looking right for years. None of this is complicated.

Day to day cleaning

For everyday cleaning, a soft cloth and warm water is usually enough. If you need a little more cleaning power, a small amount of mild dish soap in water works on both painted and stained finishes. Wipe down with the damp cloth, then dry with a clean soft cloth.

Avoid:

  • Abrasive scrubbing pads
  • Powdered cleansers
  • Bleach
  • Ammonia-based cleaners
  • “Magic eraser” type melamine sponges
  • Heavy degreasers and oven cleaners

These can dull, scratch, or strip a finish over time, especially on painted cabinetry near a cooktop or sink.

Spills, splatters, and grease

Wipe spills and splatters as soon as you notice them, especially:

  • Around the cooktop and range
  • Around the sink and dishwasher
  • Around the coffee station
  • On bathroom vanities near the sink

Liquid sitting on a finish for a long time is much harder on the finish than a spill that gets wiped up quickly.

Humidity

Real wood moves with the seasons. The single biggest thing you can do for your cabinetry is keep the indoor humidity in a reasonable range. In Chicago that usually means running a humidifier in the winter so the air does not get too dry, and not over-drying the house in general. Roughly 35 to 50 percent indoor humidity is a good target. If you have a humidifier on your furnace, keeping that running through the heating season helps a lot.

Hardware

Tighten cabinet door and drawer hardware every so often. A little hand-tightening once or twice a year keeps knobs and pulls solid. Do not over-tighten, especially on painted doors.

Soft close drawers and hinges

Soft close hinges and drawer slides do not need much from you. If a door starts to sit slightly off or a drawer feels different, hinges and slides are usually adjustable. If you are not sure, send us a photo or give us a call.

Touch-ups

For painted cabinetry, small touch-ups are part of long-term ownership. Touch-up paint can be matched to your specific finish. If you ever need a touch-up, reach out and we can help.

When to call us

If something feels off, an unusual gap, a door that does not sit right, a hairline somewhere unexpected, give us a call before trying to fix it yourself. We would rather hear about something small than have it get bigger.