Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home, and that includes giving your wood cabinets some much-needed TLC. Here at Deems Kitchens & Counters, we understand the importance of maintaining the beauty and functionality of your cabinets. Whether you’re looking to clean and rejuvenate your wood surfaces or touch up those small imperfections that have appeared over the past year, we’ve got you covered with these handy tips.
1. Start with a Deep Clean
Before you can address any imperfections, it’s essential to give your wood cabinets a thorough cleaning. Dust, grease, and grime can build up over time, dulling the finish and making your cabinets look worn. Keep it simple; most cabinet cleaning tasks won’t require off-the shelf chemical solutions.
Here’s how to do it:
- Gather Supplies & Set Goals: You’ll need a soft microfiber cloth, a soft-bristle brush, and warm water. Tackle certain areas at a time, it doesn’t have to be a full day project. For example, just work on the island today.
- Remove Dust and Debris: Lightly wet the microfiber cloth to wipe down the cabinet surfaces, removing any dust or debris. Don’t forget to clean the cabinet handles
- Above the Upper Cabinets: There is always larger concentration of dust build up ABOVE exposed upper cabinets. Gravity right?! Use a ladder to safely access the area to clean. Distributing some of your weight onto your countertops is ok, but you should never fully stand on stone or laminate countertops as they may break under the direct pressure.
- Door Style Profiles: Did you select the beautiful, but intricately designed cabinet door style? If so, you probably know that the more surface areas that create a landing zone for more dust to accumulate, will require additional wipe down. Here’s where that soft-bristle brush can come in. Use it to brush out the build-up. Work high to low as the dust falls downward.
- Floor Trim and Baseboards: The dreaded floor sit! Your countertop overhang does it’s best to prevent build-up below, but it can’t stop it all. Get your back and knees limbered up to wipe down the finished toe-kick, floor trim and baseboard furniture molding that blends the cabinets to your flooring.
- Cabinet Knob & Handle Hardware: Don’t forget your hardware! Think of how used and abused the hardware gets from everyday use. Generally, a simple dry wipe down will suffice for most metallic based pulls and knobs. But blemishes could be removed with a simple solution of dish soap and warm water.
- Wipe Dry: Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any residue, then dry the cabinets thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth. It’s important to avoid water seeping into wood as it can warp or expand with continued exposure over time.
2. Addressing Imperfections
Over time, minor scratches, dents, and other imperfections can appear on your wood cabinets. We drop something, bump into the cabinet, brush against it…It’s a simple fact of life. But here’s how to touch them up and get them looking refreshed:
For Scratches:
- Use a Wood Repair Marker: Use your Deems provided “Touch-Up” marker that was included with your purchase. Like all markers, they do run dry over time, but there’s an easy fix. Contact us for a replacement set, or choose a marker online that matches the color of your cabinets. Apply the marker to the scratch, following the grain of the wood. Wipe away any excess with a clean cloth.
- Apply a Wax Stick: For deeper scratches, a wax stick can fill in the groove. This product, that looks like a thick crayon, comes with every Deems installed kitchen. Rub the wax stick over the scratch, then buff the area with a soft cloth to blend it in. Sometimes a plastic “edge” tool can help remove excess while pushing wax into the scratch. Contact Team Deem’s service department for a replacement or find an aftermarket product online.
- Call the Experts: If damage is beyond simple repair, give us a call! Email us a picture and we’ll be happy to try and help solve the issue. If replacement product is potentially needed, we can dispatch a technician to assess the issue and help you understand options.
Conclusion
With a little time and effort, your wood cabinets can look as beautiful as the day they were installed. At Deems Kitchens & Counters, we’re passionate about helping you maintain the elegance and functionality of your cabinets. If you have any questions or need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Happy Spring cleaning!
