Tips and trick for caring for your new kitchen:
Looking after your new kitchen furniture isn’t exactly rocket science, but it does demand a little bit of care and attention to show it at its best. At iPlan Kitchens we really care about helping you get the best out of what is the most important room in the house.
But as it’s often where most of the action takes place, it can take a bit of stick. What with the kids, parties, cooking disasters: they can all take their toll, but with a few basic rules you can keep it looking spick and span. We have compiled the following care and maintenance guidelines to help you keep your kitchen looking fantastic.
Important Note: Newly plastered kitchens should be left to environmentally stabilise before storage and installation of doors, whatever their material.
Kitchen Care Guide
Vinyl Kitchen Doors and Cabinets:
For product cleaning only use a 5% soap, 95% water (liquid soap) solution, wiping with a damp (not wet) cloth, finally drying with a soft clean cloth. Dust with a soft cloth only.
Do not use wax-furniture polish, abrasive or aggressive cleaners, bleach or other hypochlorite (chlorine) based cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door as this will damage the surface.
Cooking splashes should be wiped up immediately using a damp cloth.
If the doors are supplied with a protective film on the face they must not be directly exposed to sunlight. It is recommended the film is removed as soon as possible.
Timber and Veneer Kitchen Doors:
Do not use abrasive or aggressive cleaners, bleach or other hypochlorite (chlorine) based cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door as this will damage the surface.
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. Cooking splashes should be wiped up immediately using a damp cloth.
All timbers are adversely affected by the environment in which they are installed, particularly a moist climate and in high levels of humidity. Timber is hygroscopic which means the material will take up or let out moisture depending on the environment it is placed in.
We therefore recommend that timber doors only be installed in areas that have been suitably acclimatized so that the timber is allowed to find its EMC (Equilibrium moisture content). Most people are aware of the fact that wood changes colour when exposed to light, the rate of change being dependent upon the species and the intensity of exposure.
Therefore, please consider when ordering an additional timber door some time after the original kitchen has been installed that a variation in colour is probable. Also, as solid timber products mature slightly with age we advise that samples are changed on a regular basis, after approximately six months.
(Note: Broadoak Sanded and Eden Sanded are unfinished therefore care of these doors will depend on the type of finish applied, eg paint, stain, wax etc., and you should contact your supplier of surfacing finish for care guidance).
USE AND CARE of Acrylic Kitchen Doors:
WARNING: Do not remove the protective film. Film may only be removed once you have read the maintenance instructions listed below and only after all other trade work has been completed.
Acrylic SURFACE. Your High Gloss Acrylic DOORS and PANELS come with a protective film. Once this film is removed it will initiate the curing process. It takes approximately 72 hours for the surface to be completely cured. Furthermore the removal of the protective film generates static electricity that attracts abrasive material to the surface. It is in this period of time that the acrylic material is most vulnerable to micro-scratching damage if an incorrect cleaning process is used. For this reason, we STRONGLEY recommend that upon removal of the protective film, lightly spray your doors with VuPlex. SHAKE CAN WELL then using a Microfibre cloth, wipe the surface using a light circular motion. This will remove any residue left from the protective film and also help the curing process.
FOR THE FIRST 72 HOURS DO NOT CLEAN THE SURFACE AFTER THE INITIAL CLEANING.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE of High Gloss Acrylic:
To clean the High Gloss Acrylic surface, we recommend you continue to use VuPlex. You can only clean High Gloss Acrylic with a Microfibre glass anti-scratch cloth. Use by spraying over the surface lightly and then wiping in a light circular motion with the Microfibre cloth.
AVOID using any cleaning products which are, or contain:
- Alcohol Based
- Solvent Based
- Abrasive Cleaners
- Acetone
- Petrol, Pinewood or Oils
- Glass Cleaner
These chemicals will damage the High Gloss Acrylic Surface.
Foil Kitchen Doors:
For product cleaning only use a 5% soap, 95% water (liquid soap) solution, wiping with a damp (not wet) cloth, finally drying with a soft clean cloth. Dust with a soft cloth only.
Do not use wax-furniture polish, abrasive or aggressive cleaners, bleach or other hypochlorite (chlorine) based cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door, as this will damage the surface.
Cooking splashes should be wiped up immediately using a damp cloth.
Laminate Kitchen Doors:
For product cleaning only use a 5% soap, 95% water (liquid soap) solution, wiping with a damp (not wet) cloth, finally drying with a soft clean cloth. Dust with a soft cloth only.
Do not use wax-furniture polish, abrasive or aggressive cleaners, bleach or other hypochlorite (chlorine) based cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door as this will damage the surface.
Cooking splashes should be wiped up immediately using a damp cloth.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Doors:
Dust with a soft cloth only. For product cleaning only use a 5% soap, 95% water (liquid soap) solution, wiping with a damp (not wet) cloth, finally drying with a soft clean cloth, or alternatively clean the surface with a stainless steel cleaner or E-cloth. Do not use wax-furniture polish, abrasive or aggressive cleaners, bleach or other hypochlorite (chlorine) based cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door as this will damage the surface.
Cooking splashes should be wiped up immediately using a damp cloth.
A light coat of baby oil can be used to enhance the appearance of the door if required.
Appliances:
Please refer to the manufacturers care guide supplied with your appliances.
Worktop Surfaces:
Your work surfaces can become damaged if mistreated. We would recommend that you:
1. Always use a chopping board.
2. Place hot pans or casserole dishes on protective mats or trivets.
3. Mop up spills immediately, particularly on joins and around sink and hob cut-out areas.
Laminate Worktops:
Wipe clean with a moist cloth and mild detergent. For more stubborn marks, leave the detergent to soak for a short while before rinsing thoroughly.
Solid Timber Worktops:
Always mop up spills straight away and don’t leave wet crockery to stand for any length of time. Particular attention should be paid to the sink area; it is a good idea to get into the habit of wiping down the work surface after use at the sink. Avoid prolonged contact with metals, such as iron and steel, as these can cause black staining of the timber.
Wipe clean using a well wrung out cloth dipped in warm soapy water. Solid wood work surfaces require slightly more maintenance than other tops as they need to be oiled regularly. We recommend using wire-wool and Tongue oil or Danish oil to keep the wood supple and prevent cracking. Always follow the grain when applying oil and use a soft dry cloth.
Granite and Stone Worktops:
Stone work surfaces are pre-treated with a liquid silicone sealer which reduces their natural porosity and provides a protective coating.
Clean stone surfaces regularly with water containing soap or a mild or neutral detergent and make sure you use a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse off surfaces with clean water. Polish dry with a soft cloth or a microfibre surface cloth. Avoid use of abrasive cleaning materials including scouring powders, steel wool or metal brushes.
Never use bleach and other chlorine-based cleaners, acids, photographic development liquid, alkalis (caustic soda) and concentrated disinfectants on stone surfaces. If any of these come into contact with the stone, clean them off immediately, otherwise surface damage will occur. Don’t allow surface deposits to build up on Quartz surfaces, e.g. powder detergents, mineral deposits and salts.
Strongly coloured foodstuffs, such as blackcurrant, beetroot and Bhyrani, can stain stone surfaces. Acidic foodstuffs such as citrus juice, vinegars and cola will etch the stone surface. Always use pan stands and trivets to protect stone surfaces from hot, rough and wet pots, pans and utensils. Direct contact from iron, steel, ceramic and copper vessels can scratch and stain the stone surfaces. Always use chopping boards when cutting and slicing food. Avoid cutting directly onto the stone surfaces.
Solid Surfaces:
For the best way to clean your Corian® or Hanex® work surface:
Use soapy water, ammonia-based cleaners (not window cleaners as they can leave a waxy build up that may dull the surface) or commercially available solid surface cleaners. These will remove most dirt and residue from all types of finishes although stubborn residue will require a little stronger cleaner.
To avoid water marks, clean up spills before they dry. Disinfecting: Occasionally wipe surface with dilute household bleach – 1:100 (5 Tbsp. of bleach to 1 gallon of water. To enhance the gloss level on semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes, use a countertop polish such as Countertop Magic®, Hope’s®, Perfect Countertop® or Enhance Countertop Polish®.
