Wood cabinets are a beautiful addition to any kitchen or other room in your house. Once you get the perfect, quality cabinets in place, you will want to maintain them for as long as you own or rent the home. The right cabinets not only work as storage, but they also add aesthetic value to whatever room they are in. Once you have been enjoying your cabinets for a while, you may have a spill or accident. At first, it can be alarming since wood can be harmed by certain substances, but we can lend a few helpful tips on how to take care of your fine wood cabinets.
Cleaning Wood Cabinets After a Spill
- Spot-clean the spill with whatever rags are handy. If you do not have time to grab a cleaner and towel, use the closest fabric or paper towel you can find nearby to sop up most of the liquid. Letting it sit while you look for a nice rag gives spills time to seep into your wood cabinets. If that happens, paint jobs can be ruined, and the wood grain and thickness of your cabinets can be disrupted. When wood absorbs moisture, it swells and may never go back to its correct size.
- After you remove the superficial liquid from the spill, sticky residue or gunk will most likely remain. For removing residue, you will need a cleaner. Never use a multi-surface cleaner on wood surfaces, even if the bottle says you can. Make sure you get a cleaner made for wood surfaces only, and it wouldn't hurt to find one that can be used on painted surfaces, too. Murphy's Oil Soap is a great option for wood cabinet surfaces because it both cleans and conditions. Try the cleaner on an inconspicuous part of your wood cabinets first to make sure it does not stain or spot. Spray the cleaner on the cabinet where the spill took place. Make sure you get it into the crevices. You will want to have a clean, dry cloth on hand, as well as a small toothbrush for the hard-to-reach areas. Following the directions on the cleaner, spray, leave, and revisit to rub and wash off the cleaner as indicated. If you do not have any appropriate cleaner on hand, a cloth dampened with warm water can remove excess stickiness until you get a good cleaner.
- After all signs of residue are removed, make sure you leave your cabinets dry. If you need to switch out cloths to absorb any residual wetness, do so. Don't let moisture sit on the wood.
Other Care Tips for Wood Cabinets
Wood cabinets look best when they are maintained properly. Dusting regularly keeps the right sheen-like surface. Lint-free cotton cloths can be used for dusting. Avoid using aerosol duster spray. Never drape damp cloths directly on wood cabinets to dry. This will leave discoloration. Also, avoid placing direct heat onto wood. If scratches or nicks occur in the wood, you can get a touch-up kit with the correct wood shade to cover up mild flaws.
These are just a few tips to consider when you are learning how to properly care for your wood cabinets. We have much more information available for your convenience. Contact our office to learn more about caring for your cabinet investment.
