Caring for custom cabinetry: cleaning, adjusting and keeping it new

Everyday cleaning: less is more

Almost all cabinet damage we are asked to fix was caused by cleaning, not cooking. The rule for every finish we supply — laminate, thermolaminate, two-pac polyurethane and veneer — is the same: a soft microfibre cloth, warm water with a little mild dishwashing liquid, wipe, then dry with a clean cloth. That is it.

• Never use abrasive creams, scourers, magic erasers or bleach on any door finish. They dull two-pac permanently and scratch laminate.
• Avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners and solvent sprays on two-pac and veneer; they attack the topcoat over time.
• Wipe spills promptly, especially on the edges of doors and drawer fronts near the sink and dishwasher.
• Handles: wipe with the same solution; do not soak plated finishes.

Heat and steam: the silent killers

The kettle, the toaster and the dishwasher do more damage to overhead doors and end panels than years of use. Steam rising from a kettle under an overhead cabinet will lift laminate edges and soften thermolaminate at the corners. Move the kettle out from under the overheads or use a dedicated appliance cupboard with a lift-up door. When you open the dishwasher at the end of a cycle, pull it open fully so steam clears rather than condensing on the door above, and leave the oven door ajar rather than propped against a panel.

Direct sun through a north- or west-facing window fades and yellows some finishes over years. Blinds during the hottest part of the day help; so does choosing a UV-stable laminate for the bench-level run that takes the sun.

Hinges and drawers: the annual five minutes

Doors that have started to sag or catch are not worn out; they need adjusting. The Blum hinges we fit adjust in three directions with a screwdriver — height, depth and side-to-side — and soft-close drawer runners have a front adjustment for the drawer front. Once a year, check that doors sit flush and drawer fronts align, and nip up any hinge-plate screws that have loosened. If you would rather we did it, hinge adjustments on our cabinetry are free; it is the most common 'warranty' call we get and takes minutes.

Keep drawer runners clean by vacuuming crumbs from the runner channels occasionally, and avoid overloading — a drawer rated for 30 kg carries a set of pots comfortably, not a cast-iron collection.

Benchtop care by material

• Porcelain and sintered stone: almost nothing bothers them. Wipe with a mild detergent; avoid dropping heavy items on unsupported edges.
• Natural stone: seal every one to two years, wipe acids (lemon, wine, vinegar) immediately on marble, use boards and trivets.
• Solid surface: boards and trivets always; scratches and burns can be sanded out by a fabricator.
• Laminate: keep standing water off joins, use trivets, never cut directly on it. Dry around the sink after washing up.
• Timber: oil every few months for the first year, then as it dulls; wipe water promptly.

Chips, scratches and when to call us

A chipped laminate edge or a knock in a two-pac door is not the end of the world. Laminate and thermolaminate doors are replaced individually — we keep your specification on file so a replacement door matches years later. Two-pac can be touched up with the matching colour for small marks, or a door re-sprayed for a larger repair. Veneer scratches can often be polished out. Send us a photo and we will tell you the honest option.

Related

• Kitchen cabinetry — what we do and what is included
• Where we work — Perth, Rockingham and Mandurah
• How a Bhadu project runs, stage by stage
• Book a free in-home consultation