CABINET cARE

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Caring for your Cabinetry

Here are a few tips on keeping your cabinets looking like new.

Introduction

Now that your cabinets have been installed, this User's Guide will describe how to take care of them, how to handle repairs over time and how to add options and additions.

Getting Started

Once your cabinets are installed, the temptation is to immediately begin putting things in the drawers and cabinets. After all, you've been waiting for this moment a long time. However, before starting to put things away, we suggest you do the following:

· With a damp - but not wet - soft cloth, wipe down all the cabinetry, including the inside of drawers and cabinets and all hardware. Use another clean, soft cloth to dry. If you use a glass cleaner on any glass doors, be sure to protect the wood surfaces as ammonia in the glass cleaner can damage the finish on your cabinets. Whenever possible, it is best to remove the glass from the cabinet in order to clean it.

· Once you've wiped down your cabinets, you can polish the doors, drawers and front frames with a good quality furniture polish that does not contain silicone. Buff the polish with a soft cloth to maintain the furniture quality finish.

· Because your cabinets have water resistant vinyl laminated interiors, you do not need to line them with shelf paper. Instead, wipe them with a soft cloth in the same way that you wipe down the exteriors.

What To Use On Your Cabinets

Like any fine-quality surface, your cabinetry should be treated carefully and cleaned and maintained with quality materials.

· DO NOT allow water, chemicals (detergents, ammonia, vinegar, etc.) and hot or acid food spills to set on your cabinets. ALWAYS immediately wipe up spills as quickly as possible so they won't damage the wood.

· DO use a soft cloth. DO NOT USE coarse or abrasive cloths or materials as they may dull the finish or leave scratches that cannot be removed. DEFINITELY AVOID soap pads, scouring pads and brushes.

· DO use soapy water, a mild all purpose cleaner without ammonia, or an oil soap cleaner made especially for wood components. DO NOT USE ammonia, products that contain ammonia, strong solvent cleaners, mineral spirits, paint thinner or any other harsh cleaning chemicals.

· DO use high quality polish that is especially formulated for fine furniture. DO NOT USE wax or a polish that contains silicone. Wax builds up on the surface and causes yellowing; silicones smudge and highlight fingerprints, and can be removed only with extreme measures.

· For melamine or thermo foil cabinetry, DO clean with a mild nonabrasive cleaner using a soft cloth. DO NOT USE ammonia or any type of abrasive cleaner or cloth.

· All drawer and sliding tray guides are rated for 100 lb. weight capacity. Periodically check to make sure that you are not placing too heavy a load on shelves and drawer bottoms. This is especially important with sliding trays, slide out drawers, lazy susan's, and any place where heavy or unbalanced loads can shorten the life expectancy of the moving or mechanical parts.

What To Expect From Your Cabinetry

Wood is a natural material. As such, seasonal growth patterns and weather conditions contribute to the uniqueness of the grain and color in each piece of board cut from a tree. These conditions also add the swirls, burls, mineral streaking, fine pinholes, pitch pockets and color streaks that you find in the wood of all fine cabinetry and furniture. Later, as the wood is cut, sanded and rubbed with a finish, all of these features combine to give your cabinetry special character and a deep, rich patina.

Because temperature, seasonal growth patterns and weather conditions are not the same in all parts of the country, different types of trees produce wood with different features.