It goes without saying your kitchen cabinets act as a main protagonist in your kitchen story. From storing daily essentials like cereal boxes to safeguarding your cherished crockery, they handle far more wear and tear than we often realize. On top of it, if your kitchen cabinets are custom ones, they require even more care and attention. So, how do you maintain custom kitchen cabinets without going overboard? In this blog, we’ll share with you key tips from the leading custom kitchen cabinets Orlando services to maintain your custom cabinets for long-term durability.
In this blog, we’ll share tips to keep your custom kitchen cabinets in top condition, by experienced custom kitchen cabinet Orlando service providers.
5 Maintenance Tips for Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinets are the centerpiece of your space, serving an invaluable function. To keep them looking their best for years, here are 5 essential maintenance tips for your custom kitchen cabinets.
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Regular Cleaning Tips for All Cabinet Types
First you need to understand that you don’t need an over-the-top cleaning process; with simple, regular, gentle cleaning you can keep your custom cabinets in much better condition. Here are some tips to follow:
Wipe spills immediately: Make it a habit to clean up any spills immediately as soon as they occur. Taking this quick action prevents moisture damage and staining, especially for wood finishes. Also, when this becomes your habit, you go a long way in protecting damage from spills.
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner: For general cleaning of your kitchen cabinets, you just need a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. For painted or glossy cabinets, you can opt for a glass cleaner or cabinet-specific formula so that the cabinet retains its shine.
Avoid harsh chemicals: Since your custom cabinets are valuable, it’s best to steer clear of scouring pads, bleach, ammonia, or silicone-based polishes. All these can damage the finish and cause discoloration in your costly cabinets.
Dry thoroughly: Just as simple cleaning is important, so is the drying process. After cleaning, use a separate soft cloth to dry the surfaces completely. This step must be followed to prevent moisture from seeping into seams and causing warping or bubbling in your beautiful kitchen cabinets.
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Protecting Cabinet Surfaces and Finishes.
Orlando’s summer months (June-August) are renowned for their humid, sunny climate. The humidity can take a toll on wood and laminate finishes. That’s why proactive protection is just as important as cleaning. Here’s how you can do it:
Manage humidity: High humidity typically causes wood to swell, warp, or crack. Ensure that you keep the kitchen humidity levels between 35% and 50% with the help of an air conditioner or dehumidifier to protect from any strong signs of cracks due to humidity.
Control heat exposure: as gradual exposure to direct heat destroys wood in the long run, avoid placing toasters, coffee makers, or microwaves directly under cabinets. With excess, cabinets can become discolored or peel. Hence, it’s best to use exhaust fans while cooking.
Protect from sunlight: As your custom cabinets are made from wood, their constant exposure to direct sunlight fades cabinet finishes over time. It’s best to use curtains, blinds, or UV-protective window films to minimize sun damage over time.
Use protective liners: One of the best tips out there to protect cabinet surfaces and finish is protecting them using protective mats or liners. This simple trick prevents scratches, absorbs moisture, and makes cleanup easier.
By following these small measures, you can extend the lifespan of your custom kitchen cabinets in Orlando, keeping their look and structural integrity intact. One such contractor that can successfully cater to the needs of your custom cabinets as well as your kitchen is Personal Touch Contracting. Located in Apopka, Florida, USA, is a state-certified general contracting firm that provides complete remodeling and renovation services for kitchens, bathrooms, custom closets, etc.
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Maintaining Hardware and Moving Parts
It becomes difficult to understand faults in cabinet hardware, which often go unnoticed until it stops working smoothly or, worse, completely. To prevent this, here’s what you need to do:
Inspect and tighten hardware regularly: With daily use, handles, knobs, and hinges can loosen over time. To prevent this, it’s best to check them every few months and tighten any loose screws with a screwdriver.
Lubricate hinges: Apply a small drop of household lubricant or silicone spray to prevent squeaking of cabinet doors. This keeps the door of the cabinets working smoothly in the long run.
Upgrade to soft-close hardware: One of the best possible ways to take care of your cabinets is to consider investing in soft-close hinges and drawers. Many kitchen renovation contractors in Orlando recommend this upgrade because it prevents door slamming, reduces stress on the frame, and ensures your cabinets keep on looking in their best shape and condition possible.
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Addressing Common Issues Quickly
Even if you do regular care of your custom cabinets, everyday use can cause minor wear and tear. The key to preserving your cabinets’ longevity is to address issues at the right time before they cause irreparable damage. Here are a few points you can follow:
Remove grease and grime: When we do not care for our custom cabinets for a long time, we notice a stubborn grease buildup. In such a case, use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. For much tougher spots on custom cabinets, it’s best to create a mild paste using baking soda and water. Try not to remove tougher stains harshly; simply gently scrub with a soft cloth until clean.
Touch up scratches: If you notice minor scratches on your favorite custom cabinets, they can be easily fixed using color-matched touch-up markers or wood fillers. These small repairs keep your cabinets looking flawless without the need for complete renovation.
Polish wood cabinets: Taking care of polished wood cabinets is a bit different as compared to other custom cabinets. For real wood finishes, apply an oil-based furniture polish once or twice a year. Oils restore luster in the cabinet’s wood and add a protective layer against moisture. It’s best to avoid wax-based polishes, as they can cause buildup and attract dust.
In case you feel there’s deeper damage, such as peeling veneer or warping, you should contact professional kitchen renovation contractors in Orlando. Their professional team can easily evaluate the core issues in your custom cabinets, and based on thier in-depth evaluation, they recommend further steps.
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Best Practices for Long-Term Care
Proper daily habits go a long way in extending the life of your custom cabinetry. To ensure the longevity of your custom cabinets, here are some final, simple practices to follow:
Be gentle with doors and drawers: often while cleaning we do not pay attention to how we are treating our custom cabinets. Ensure that you use knobs and handles properly to prevent unnecessary stress on the hinges.
Avoid overloading shelves: Distribute weight evenly inside your cabinets. Avoid stacking heavy pots or appliances inside just a single cabinet. Overloading of cabinets on one side can cause shelves to bow and hinges to loosen.
Clean interiors monthly: Do not simply rely on once-a-year cleaning. To maintain your cabinets’ durability, make it a habit of emptying your cabinets at atleast once a month. It’s important to check for hidden moisture or pest issues so that you can get rid of them at the right time before the damage is permanent and it’s too late to rectify them.
Consider professional maintenance: No matter how much you clean your cabinets, it’s best to get them inspected by professionals to avoid any major costly issues. Every few years, hire professionals for inspection, deep cleaning, or refinishing. Top-rated kitchen renovation contractors in Orlando can restore faded finishes, replace old hardware, and reseal surfaces for long-term protection.
Conclusion
Your kitchens are one of the most important elements of your kitchen—they have both a functional and aesthetic role to play. If you have invested heavily in your kitchen cabinets and want them to work effectively for the years to come, it’s best you follow all the maintenance tips we have shared in the blog. From general cleaning tips to best practices for long-term care, ensure that you do regular cleaning along with timely inspection and help from professional kitchen renovation contractors in Orlando such as Personal Touch Contracting.
Personal Touch Contracting, located in Apopka, Winter Park, and Longwood, is a state-certified general contracting firm offering engineering, design, and full construction services (kitchens, bathrooms, custom closets, etc.).
Searching for experts in custom kitchen cabinets Orlando services that use the latest tools and techniques to keep your cabinets spotless and well-maintained? You are at the right place! Hire us today—we handle all your kitchen needs in one place; no need to juggle multiple contractors!