10+ things not to do with your cabinets: opinions from cleaning service employees

As Will Cotter, director of cleaning company FreshSpace, explains, there are different sources of cabinet damage, but one of the most common is water. This is especially dangerous in the case of wooden furniture: a towel dripping from it seems harmless, but if the liquid gets into the seams, it can cause serious damage to the structure. Don’t make this mistake when handling cabinets: always properly wring out the cloth you use to wipe down shelves and doors.

There are times when you really need to use force – for example when trying to remove a thick layer of limescale from the toilet. However, cabinets and their resistance to such influences are a completely different topic. Curb your enthusiasm when scrubbing stains: To get rid of dirt, Cotter recommends using gentle circular motions.

Those who want to know how to keep cabinets in good condition should follow the main rule of the secret club of lovers of furniture that always looks like new: any abrasive material can scratch the surface. So no “nuclear” powders: the ideal solution for cleaning sideboards, chests of drawers, cupboards, desks and walls is a mild dishwashing liquid diluted in water.

“Strong chemicals – chlorine bleach, solvents, ammonia – are not suitable for cabinets or kitchen cabinets. They can damage their finish, especially if the furniture is painted or has a glossy finish,” says Kevin Gick, an employee of a cleaning company that specializes in crime scene cleanup. To avoid damaging cabinets, he recommends using a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water.

Read also: Proper use of cabinets in the kitchen: how to arrange everything so you can cook quickly and to your satisfaction

The “production activities” of the cabinets must certainly unconditionally and certainly include washing the interior. This is especially important when it comes to kitchen furniture – crumbs and drops of liquid can accumulate on the shelves, which will become food for bacteria, the waste of which emits an unpleasant odor. Recommendations from cleaning service employees regarding the use of kitchen cabinets generally include washing the “inside” at least once a month.

You could write an entire book on the topic of “Cabinets and How to Keep Them Clean” – after all, furniture is made from a variety of materials. Wood needs wax, MDF and chipboard – no, water is especially dangerous for veneer, acrylic coating is afraid of alcohol… You should find out what your cabinets are made of and what you can and cannot do this while cleaning.

Kitchen cabinets and the rules for maintaining order in them have their own specifics. As Cotter explains, these types of furniture tend to accumulate grease, especially those closest to the stove. Will recommends regularly removing this oil film using a special product or a mixture of soda and warm water.

Also read: Organizing kitchen cabinets: how to free up space without throwing away a single can

To optimize the use of cabinets in the kitchen, many housewives use special drawer dividers and shelf organizers, but forget about special rugs. Will considers this a big mistake: on the one hand, such coatings protect internal surfaces from stains and damage, and on the other hand, they are easier to wash than the furniture itself.

Another common mistake when using cabinets is not testing detergents on an inconspicuous area, such as the inside of the door. You want to make sure your new cleaning product won’t damage your furniture, so never skip this step!

Not only are the gels and powders you purchased for cleaning important, but also their carriers. For closets, it is best to use lint-free fabrics – for example, an old T-shirt will do, but a towel can already leave fibers on the surface.

Another pitfall when using cabinets in the kitchen is using them as hangers for wet towels and towels. Remember that prolonged exposure to water can damage furniture, so it is best to attach hooks to the wall.

As you already understood, using cabinets carefully means protecting them from moisture. You can’t just wipe down the shelf and close the door. Make sure to dry it thoroughly with a cloth first.