Enjoying the look of your RTA Cabinets? Want to keep them looking brand-new? Check out our list of easy and affordable kitchen cabinet care tips.
Choose Periodic Cleaning for Years of Service
Cooking in your kitchen is chaos for cabinets. Even the very best cooks have a hard time avoiding excess smoke, steam, and the occasional oil splash. But other substances like juices, cooking fats, and alcohol will also have a damaging effect if they aren’t addressed appropriately.
Thankfully, simple cabinet cleaning every now and then keeps kitchen cabinets shiny and resilient. Here’s an easy, two-step process to get you started:
- Using a sponge or cloth, wipe your wood or MDF cabinets with a mild solution of soapy water.
- For wood cabinets, apply furniture polish or furniture oil after cleaning to restore the wood’s natural oils and protect them from moisture and humidity
You can also use commercial cleaners or a gentler solution of 50% water and 50% white or apple cider vinegar. Just make sure to wipe your cabinets with a damp cloth afterward.
Still struggling to find the time for periodic cleaning? The easiest way to save time and effort is to:
- Count the number of cabinet sections you have in your kitchen
- Divide that number into three to five manageable sections
- Reserve 10 minutes (or less) of your day to clean a section
Continue cleaning section by section until you’ve successfully cleaned your kitchen cabinetry over the course of a week.
You’ll prevent kitchen substances from caking onto your cabinet surface and prevent more intensive deep cleaning down the road.
Don’t Skip the Deep Cleaning
Periodic cleaning is great in a pinch, but even with your best efforts to keep things clean, you’ll still be left with oil, dirt, and debris in the nooks and crannies of your cabinets. That’s where a dedicated deep cleaning will help!
Every few years, it’s a good idea to partially disassemble your cabinets for the most complete clean. At the very least, remove the visible pieces so you can clean them independently. That includes your cabinet’s:
- Doors
- Drawers
- Handles
Use the same cleaning steps as before to remove any buildup you couldn’t get to otherwise.
Make Time for Maintenance
Have you noticed any cracks, chips, or dings that need to be repaired? Some of the easiest fixes include:
- Replacing your drawer glides
- Changing out your soft-close dampers
- Fixing cosmetic damage on wood cabinets with a wax pencil
- Filling in damaged spots on MDF cabinets with a plastic wood filler
Is there just too much damage for you to fix on your own? Replacing your kitchen cabinets may be the most cost-effective option. Check out our free design help, our warranty information, and our up-to-date kitchen cabinet selection today.
Emphasize Prevention Through Protection
Want to go a step further than cleaning and maintenance? There are a couple of prevention techniques that’ll save you time and money in the future:
- Invest in a high-quality kitchen hood system
- Ditch the harsh cleaners and chemical solutions
- Seal cracks and gaps to prevent moisture seepage
- Repaint your cabinetry using high-quality primers and paints
- Be mindful when cooking at high heats and check for any heat damage
- Prevent sun damage by closing the blinds or blocking off outdoor light sources
- Wipe away spills and moisture as soon as you notice them
These prevention techniques will extend the lifespan of your cabinets and keep them looking great for years to come.
Nothing beats the look and feel of RTA Cabinets, especially when they’re properly maintained. Want more tips and tricks on how to make the most of your cabinets?
