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Tips on How to Help You Save Your Real Wood Furniture and Money
With a little research and luck, you may be able to take care of minor salvage and repairs yourself. First, determine whether your furniture and cabinetry are real wood or composite. If there is any swelling (raised areas) it is most likely particleboard or fiber board. These materials are NOT salvageable. Most real wood can be brought back even if it means replacing drawer boxes and backing, these are minor items. Extensive damage should be left to an experienced cabinetmaker, like Rick from Accent Woodworking who has 45 years in the business.
Care and Cleaning for Wood Cabinetry and Furniture
Care and Cleaning for your wood furniture and cabinetry is just like that of a high-quality piece of furniture. After installation, it will take up to three weeks for the finish to fully cure. Although it is designed to protect against normal, everyday home use, general upkeep and cleanliness is very important. With proper care, your cabinetry and furniture will last long and look good for generations to come. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Basic Care and Cleaning
A dry, soft cotton cloth is usually sufficient to clean your cabinets and furniture. Clean only with soft, non-abrasive cloths (paper towels not recommended). Use a fresh solution of mild hand dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water for a more thorough cleaning when necessary. After cleaning, wipe all surfaces with a clean, damp cloth. Dry immediately using another soft, clean cloth.Cleaning Products to Avoid
To avoid damage to your furniture and cabinets do not use the following cleaning products:- Harsh detergents, strong soaps, abrasive cleaning products such as tub and sink cleansers, scouring powder, scouring pads, steel wool or self-polishing waxes
- Sponges or dish cloths. They may contain particles that could scratch your cabinets and furniture, or they may contain food and oil residue or remnants of harsh cleaning solutions
- 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
Splatters and Spills Care and Cleaning
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’s finish.Regular Dusting Care and Cleaning
Use a clean, soft lint-free cotton cloth for regular dusting. We recommend you do not use packaged dusting sheets. Do not use pre-moistened dusting sheets, similarly, do not use aerosol products made for dusting.Waxing and Polishing Care
Above all, avoid waxing. It is not required. The use of paste wax and polishes that contain silicone cause a wax build up that is difficult to remove and will leave a residue that attracts dust. Over time, waxing and polishing compounds may build up on the surface of your cabinets and furniture and cause a hazy, streaky or yellowed appearance. This wax build-up is very difficult to remove. Polishing can be done once or twice each year. To polish your cabinets and furniture, use a light coat of quality furniture polish.Care and Cleaning Glass Doors
Cleaning glass doors requires extra care. For example, 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 window dividers and cause damage.Avoid Moisture Damage
Avoid draping damp clothes or dishtowels over cabinet doors. This moisture can cause permanent damage to the cabinet’s finish such as peeling and discoloration.Avoid Heat Damage
Self-cleaning ovens are cleaned using intense heat, much greater than during normal cooking. If the heat gasket does not seal properly, heat may escape from the oven and could damage the surface or finish of your cabinets and furniture. While this is a rare circumstance, to minimize the risk of damage during cleaning cycles, we recommend that you remove doors and drawers from cabinets and furniture that are above and adjacent to a self-cleaning oven. We do not recommend that you mount heat or steam producing appliances, such as coffee makers and toaster ovens, beneath cabinets and furniture. Excess heat and moisture from these appliances can damage cabinets and furniture.Avoid UV / Light Damage
Over time, the Ultraviolet light rays in natural sunlight may affect the appearance of your cabinets and furniture. Exposure to direct sunlight tends to darken the color of natural wood products. Depending on the natural characteristics of wood and the applied finish, the amount/direction of light exposure, and the portion of the cabinet that receives light, the appearance of your cabinet(s) may change over time. Sunlight can also fade painted wood surfaces. Where needed, draperies or blinds should be used to shield your cabinets and furniture from direct sunlight.You ASK! We BUILD!
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