Clean cabinets with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, then dry them. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, solvents and steam, because they damage the finish and drive moisture into the edges. Stone benchtops need a pH-neutral cleaner. Check hinges, runners, sealant and edges twice a year.
Soft cloth, mild soap, dry after.
No abrasives, solvents or steam.
Stone needs a pH-neutral cleaner.
Check hinges, runners and sealant twice a year.
Most damage is caused by cleaning, not cooking.
1. General rules
Wipe spills promptly, dry after cleaning, and use a trivet near heat. Most cabinet damage is caused by the cleaner, not the cooking: abrasives scratch, solvents dull, and excess water swells the edges.
2. Cleaner by surface
| Surface | Use | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Lacquer | Mild soap, soft cloth | Solvents, abrasives |
| Melamine | Damp cloth | Scouring pads |
| Veneer | Dry or barely damp cloth | Excess water |
| Stone | pH-neutral cleaner | Acids, bleach |
| Hardware | Dry cloth | Oil unless specified |
The table covers the common surfaces. If a cleaner is not labelled for the surface, test it on a hidden area first.
3. Lacquer
Lacquer is durable but softer than melamine. Use mild soap and a soft cloth, and dry after. Avoid solvents and abrasives, which dull the sheen. Small marks can be polished out; deep scratches need a touch-up or a door replacement.
4. Melamine and veneer
Melamine wipes clean with a damp cloth; avoid scouring pads, which leave a scratch pattern. Veneer needs less water, not more, because moisture can lift the grain. Dry immediately after wiping.
5. Stone
Use a pH-neutral cleaner and reseal if the stone requires it. Avoid acidic cleaners, which etch the surface. Wipe wine, citrus and oil promptly, because they stain if left.
6. Hardware
Wipe hardware with a dry cloth. Oil only if the maker specifies it, because the wrong oil attracts dust and gums the mechanism. Check hinges and runners twice a year and adjust rather than force.
7. Stains and chips
Treat stains immediately with the mildest cleaner, then escalate. Small chips can be filled with a colour-matched filler or a lacquer touch-up pen. Deep damage needs a door replacement, which is why a spare door per type is worth storing.
8. Prevention
Use trivets, wipe spills, keep the extractor running and check sealant twice a year. The wet area guide covers the sealing that matters most, and the finishes guide explains which surface needs which care.
9. A checklist before you commit
Before you sign, confirm six things: the board grade, the hardware model, the finish system, the packing standard, the inspection scope and the payment schedule. Each should be in writing, not in a call. The quote checklist turns the six into a one-page comparison.
10. Common mistakes
The most common mistake is comparing a factory price with a landed cost. The second is leaving the inspection out of the budget. The third is paying the balance before the inspection is signed off. Each is avoidable with a written scope and a pre-shipment inspection.
11. How to measure the room
Measure each wall at three points, top, middle and bottom, and use the smallest. Walls are rarely square, and a 10 mm bow over three metres changes the filler. Measure the ceiling at each corner and note sockets, radiators and soil pipes before drawing. A measured survey saves more time than a faster drawing, and the measuring guide has a printable sheet.
13. A specification checklist
Write four lines for every material: the product, the grade, the thickness and the surface or edge treatment. A material specified by name alone leaves the grade to the factory, and the grade is where the cost and the performance sit.
14. Questions the factory will ask
Expect four questions: which grade, which thickness, which edge and which batch. The answers should already be in the specification. If they are not, the factory will choose, and the choice will be the cheapest that meets the drawing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I clean cabinets with?
A soft cloth and mild soapy water, then a dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and solvents, which damage the finish.
Can I use a steam cleaner?
No. Steam drives moisture into edges and joints, which is where the board swells. Wipe with a damp cloth instead.
How do I remove grease?
Mild soapy water first. For stubborn grease, a degreaser labelled safe for the finish, tested on a hidden area.
What about stone benchtops?
Use a pH-neutral cleaner and reseal if the stone requires it. Avoid acidic cleaners, which etch the surface.
How do I handle a chip?
Small chips can be repaired with a colour-matched filler or a lacquer touch-up pen. Deep damage needs a door replacement.
How often should I check the cabinets?
Twice a year: hinges, runners, sealant and edges. A five-minute check catches most problems before they become repairs.
