Cabinet Care and Maintenance

J-Kraft Cabinetry's product meet or exceed Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Association (KCMA) standards for resistance to stains and surface damage that can be caused by common household chemicals. The finish protects the wood and enhances its natural beauty. Please follow these simple special care and maintenance guidelines which will allow you to enjoy your cabinets for many years to come.

CABINET INTERIORS

  • Wipe with a clean, soft, damp cloth and dry immediately. Never use kitchen cloths or sponges that might have detergent or grease on them, or embedded abrasives.
  • To remove food residue or grease, use any common dish washing liquid
    ( not detergent ) or solution of mild soap and water. Wipe with a clean damp cloth. Dry thoroughly. If a spill occurs, clean and dry immediately. Left unattended, a spill can soak through the laminate or wood surface and cause damage.

 

CABINET EXTERIORS, STAINED AND PAINTED

Your cabinets have been finished with a coating that exhibits excellent resistance to foods,beverages and household agents typically found in the kitchen or bath. However, from time to time, your cabinets will need regular cleaning and care.

  • Clean at least once a month to protect the wood by wiping the surface with a clean damp cloth, then dry immediately. Do not use a dishcloth for cleaning. It could contain remnants of grease or detergents. Never use soap pads, steel wool, or cleaners that contain bleach, ammonia or abrasives. These agents may cause discoloration, marring or dulling of the finish. Do not wax or polish cabinet surfaces. Wax build-up will leave a residue that is difficult to remove. Polishes containing silicone should not be used. Products such as Murphy's Oil Soap contain no wax, petroleum or silicones.
  • Excess moisture can damage any cabinet finish. Areas near the sink, range, dishwasher oven and baseboards are most susceptible. With all cabinets, take a little extra care on bottom edges of base cabinets and base cabinet doors where invisible moisture often collects. Keep these surfaces dry.
  • Avoid draping damp cloths or dish towels over cabinet doors. Over a period of time, this moisture could cause permanent damage to your cabinet finish.

 

CABINET ENVIRONMENT

  • Routine cleaning will help prevent long term damage from smoke and grease. They should be avoided because they can form a hard film overtime, dulling the finish.
  • When possible, keep cabinets out of direct sunlight or close curtains during the sunniest part of the day. Direct sunlight will cause cabinets to lighten or darken overtime.
  • Try to avoid exposing your cabinets to very hot and cold environments. Extremes in temperature and moisture can cause wood to expand and contract, eventually damaging the finish.

THINGS TO AVOID

Excess moisture is one of the worst enemies of any finish. Sink, range, dishwasher oven and baseboard areas are most susceptible to this. Promptly remove water spills and excess moisture from cabinets, using a clean soft cloth.

Avoid using harsh detergents, strong soaps, abrasive cleaners, or self-polishing waxes when cleaning; avoid using ammonia solutions on or near cabinets. These substances could have a deteriorating effect on the finished surface.

Avoid using a dishcloth to clean or dry cabinets, as it may contain remnants of detergent or grease.

NOTE TO BUILDERS:
Tape off any and all hardware (guides, slides, hinges, etc.) to avoid getting paint on or in the hardware, as this will void all warranties.

 

MINOR REPAIRS

Cover nicks and scratches with a tinted putty stick. These can be obtained at your local builder supply store.

 

CHARACTERISTICS

It is important to realize that natural variations will be present throughout your kitchen and bath cabinet, resulting in unique character markings on adjacent cabinets, on pairs of doors, and even within the same panel.

We point out these unique characteristics of our cabinets to remind you that each piece of wood is different; the varied effect of finished cabinetry in a complete kitchen or bath may be different from that represented by a smaller sample or display. The variations are broad and that is where the beauty of natural wood lies. We mention these conditions because neither your builder, nor J-Kraft, Inc. can be responsible for the type or degree of variation, which may actually characterize your cabinetry.

 

WARRANTY

The cabinetry in your home is under warranty for one year. All hardware has a lifetime guarantee. Any hardware that has been painted will void all warranties. Please contact your builder for any questions or service issues concerning your cabinetry.