Caring for your kitchen doors

A new Kitchen is a large expense for your home and caring for your Kitchen Doors is essential to keep that just new look.

Cleaning and maintenance

General cleaning advice for all door types including timber, painted, PVC & Gloss: Do not use wax furniture polish, abrasive or aggressive cleaners, bleach or other hypochlorate (chlorine) based cleaners, multipurpose cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door as this will damage the surface: Only use a 5% soap, 95% water (liquid soap) solutions, wiping with a damp (not wet) cloth, finally drying with a soft clean cloth only. Ensure all cooking splashes are wiped immediately with a damp cloth; and Dust only with a soft cloth only.

Timber and veneered kitchen doors

Timber by nature, is susceptible to expansion and shrinkage depending on the environment in which it is installed.  This means it could expand when there is an abundance of moisture in the air, particularly in winter or when excess moisture is prevalent in renovated or new builds.  Contraction may occur in the summer months when the climate is drier.  This potential natural movement of the timer can cause any layer of paint, lacquer, varnish etc that has been applied, to move with it and may result in panel shrinkage and hairline cracks along the joints of the door.  This is considered to be a positive feature, adding an authentic look and feel to the kitchen. If you would prefer not to live with the natural characteristics of timber, a PVC door would be the ideal choice.  Unlike timber, it remains static and is available in a range of colours and styles. Over Veneered products help reduce, but do not eliminate the occurrence of hairline cracks in the joints.

Cleaning – when cleaning timber doors you must follow the pattern of the grain.  It is advisable to use a damp (not wet) cloth to remove fingerprints and marks, followed at once with a clean and dry soft cloth.

Moisture – excess moisture can damage a timber product – it is recommended that susceptible areas such as around the sink are thoroughly maintained and kept dry at all times.

Light – timber changes colour when exposed to light.  The species of timber and intensity of exposure will affect the rate of change.  It is advised that the colour change is taken into consideration when replacing or fitting new doors some time after the original kitchen has been installed.

PVC and high gloss doors

If the doors are supplied with a protective film on the face they must not be directly exposed to sunlight.  Once installation is complete, carefully remove the protective film from the front of the fascia. This PVC/lacquer coated product has been manufactured from the highest quality materials. Please be careful not to puncture the PVC or lacquered surface of your panels.  These should be kept dry in order to prevent moisture ingress. If the surface of the product is exposed to any oil based substance (for example olive oil, butter, margarine or cooking oil), the spillage must be wiped away immediately to prevent staining.  Grease marks caused by these oil-based products can easily be removed by use of a mild detergent, non-abrasive cleaner if used immediately after spillage has happened. Abrasive cleaners are not recommended for this type of product.  Do not expose the doors or panels to temperatures in excess of 60°C (140°F) [Approximately the temperature of washing up water].

Painted and stained doors cleaning

It is advisable to use a damp (not wet) cloth to remove fingerprints and marks, followed at once with a clean and dry soft cloth. LIGHT: painted and stained finishes will change colour when exposed to light – the intensity of exposure will affect the rate of change. We also advise that colour change is taken into consideration when replacing or fitting new doors some time after the original kitchen has been installed.   

Sanded (raw) doors cleaning – sanded products are unfinished and therefore the care of these doors will depend on the type of finish applied, eg paint, stain, wax etc. Source: KITCHEN STORI