Cabinet Care and Maintenance

CLEANING GUIDELINES
A soft cotton cloth dampened with warm water is usually sufficient to clean your cabinets. If more thorough cleaning is required, use a fresh solution of dishwashing liquid or a mild all-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Use the mildest cleaning solution that will successfully clean your cabinets. Stronger products may damage discolor your cabinet finish and are not recommended.  After cleaning, wipe all surfaces with a clean, damp cloth. Dry immediately using another soft, clean cloth. Clean spills and splatters immediately. Prolonged exposure to spills, including food, water or other liquids, or to oil and grease splatters, can cause permanent discoloration or damage to your cabinet finish.

REGULAR DUSTING
Use a clean, soft lint-free cotton cloth for regular dusting. Packaged dusting sheets are not required or recommended. Do not use pre-moistened dusting sheets, and do not use aerosol products made or dusting.

WAXING AND POLISHING
Waxing is not required or recommended. Over time, waxing and polishing compounds may build up on the surface of your cabinets and cause a hazy, streaky or yellowed appearance. This wax build up is very difficult to remove.

REGULAR DUSTING
Use a clean, soft lint-free cotton cloth for regular dusting. Packaged dusting sheets are not required or recommended. Do not use pre-moistened dusting sheets, and do not use aerosol products made or dusting.

WAXING AND POLISHING
Waxing is not required or recommended. Over time, waxing and polishing compounds may build up on the surface of your cabinets and cause a hazy, streaky or yellowed appearance. This wax build up is very difficult to remove.

CLEANING GLASS DOORS
Extra care is required when cleaning glass doors. Spray an ammonia-free glass cleaner on a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Do not spray cleaner directly on the glass. It could seep behind the door mullions and cause damage.

CLEANING PRODUCTS TO AVOID
Avoid using the following cleaning products on your cabinets:

• Harsh chemicals.
• Abrasive cleaning products such as tub and sink cleansers, scouring powder, scouring pads or steel wool.
• Sponges or dish clothes. They may contain particles that could scratch your cabinets, or they may contain food and oil residue.
• Solvent-based or petroleum-based products such as mineral spirits, nail-polish removers or paint thinners.
• Ammonia or cleaning products that include ammonia.
• Bleach or cleaning products that include bleach.
• Silicone-based cleaning, waxing, or polishing products.

REGULAR DUSTING
Use a clean, soft lint-free cotton cloth for regular dusting. Packaged dusting sheets are not required or recommended. Do not use pre-moistened dusting sheets, and do not use aerosol products made or dusting.

WAXING AND POLISHING
Waxing is not required or recommended. Over time, waxing and polishing compounds may build up on the surface of your cabinets and cause a hazy, streaky or yellowed appearance. This wax build up is very difficult to remove.

REGULAR DUSTING
Use a clean, soft lint-free cotton cloth for regular dusting. Packaged dusting sheets are not required or recommended. Do not use pre-moistened dusting sheets, and do not use aerosol products made or dusting.

WAXING AND POLISHING
Waxing is not required or recommended. Over time, waxing and polishing compounds may build up on the surface of your cabinets and cause a hazy, streaky or yellowed appearance. This wax build up is very difficult to remove.

CLEANING GLASS DOORS
Extra care is required when cleaning glass doors. Spray an ammonia-free glass cleaner on a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Do not spray cleaner directly on the glass. It could seep behind the door mullions and cause damage.

CLEANING PRODUCTS TO AVOID
Avoid using the following cleaning products on your cabinets:

• Harsh chemicals.
• Abrasive cleaning products such as tub and sink cleansers, scouring powder, scouring pads or steel wool.
• Sponges or dish clothes. They may contain particles that could scratch your cabinets, or they may contain food and oil residue.
• Solvent-based or petroleum-based products such as mineral spirits, nail-polish removers or paint thinners.
• Ammonia or cleaning products that include ammonia.
• Bleach or cleaning products that include bleach.
• Silicone-based cleaning, waxing, or polishing products.

REPAIRING SCRATCHES
Dealers offer cabinet touch-up kits that include a touch-up marker, a filler pencil, and fastdry touch-up. It is important to follow the directions included with the kit. Cabinet Expressions will supply a touch up kit with your new kitchen.

» Most cabinet scratches can be touched up using a matching touch up marker available from Cabinet Expressions. It is a water base pigmented marker for quick and easy coloring of wood surfaces.

• Directions: Shake well before using. Press tip 5-6 times to engage liquid. Once liquid flows to tip, apply in even strokes. Apply in one direction and do not over apply. Allow to dry before reapplying. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame. Use with adequate ventilation.
• Keep Out Of The Reach Of Children!!!  Harmful if swallowed. If swallowed, call physician immediately. Be sure to read instruction sheet for more details about this.

» For scratches or nicks that still show after a touch up marker, we recommend using a filler pencil. Simply rub the pencil overfilling the scratched area and wipe away the excess with a clean soft cloth. Finally, apply a protective coating by using clear Fast Dry Touch Up or a clear acrylic spray.

• Caution: Never use sandpaper or any other type of abrasive paper or material to “even out” a scratch. This will damage the cabinet finish.

Important Information

Since no two trees are alike in grain or texture, “nature’s fingerprint” is never the same in two pieces of wood; variations in color and grain are natural characteristics. Cabinet woods are stained to obtain as constant a tone as possible, while preserving the interest and charm. These grain patterns lend to the distinctive beauty of the cabinet.

Some door styles use solid wood raised center panels in the door construction. It is common that a small amount of expansion and contraction will occur depending on the season and amount of humidity.

THINGS TO AVOID

• Avoid draping damp clothes or dishtowels over cabinet doors. This moisture can cause permanent damage — such peeling and discoloration — to the cabinet’s finish.
• The heat generated when using an oven’s selfcleaning feature is much greater than during normal cooking. If this heat escapes from the oven, it can damage your cabinets. While this is a rare circumstance, you can minimize the risk of cabinet damage by removing cabinet doors and drawers nearest the oven or install heat shields before using its self-cleaning feature.
• Exposure to direct sunlight tends to darken the color of natural wood products. Sunlight can also fade painted wood surfaces, laminated surfaces and thermofoil surfaces. You should consider draperies or blinds to shield your cabinets from direct sunlight.