How to Maintain Your Bathroom Cabinets Like New
Now that your beautiful bathroom
cabinets are installed, you'll want to keep them looking like
new for as long as possible. This will require regular maintenance
on your part to prevent damage and keep them looking great.
Depending on the materials used in your bathroom cabinets, you may need to watch for water damage or scratches. To prevent water damage, be sure to wipe up any splashes or spills as soon as possible. Materials most susceptible to water damage include particleboard and wood.
Be sure that when you do routine cleaning that you use a mild, non-abrasive detergent or a damp sponge dipped in soapy water. Dry your countertops well with a cloth. If you wipe up splashes and water spots as soon as they happen, you'll prevent spotting.
Always pay special attention to the areas around the sink or are in proximity of the tub and shower. There is enough moisture in the air in the bathroom after a shower or bath to infiltrate all the cabinetry. A quick wipe down will help keep the moisture level manageable and prevent damage to your bathroom cabinets. This will also help prevent mold and mildew growth. If you notice mold, try a quick spray with a bleach cleanser and wipe it down. Don't let it get out of hand. It can ruin your cabinets and your health. If you notice a lot of moisture in your cabinets, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier. This is an inexpensive little plastic container with silica. The silica will help wick moisture out of the air and away from your cabinets. When the little container is filled to the marked line with water, it needs to be replaced.
Use cleansers that are specially made for the materials in your bathroom
cabinets. Wood needs a different cleanser than tile. Wood antique
bathroom vanities may need a cleanser that replaces natural wood
oils to keep them looking their best.
When scratches occur, try using a touch up marker to re-stain the area to match. You can also use a putty stick to fill in small nicks or dents.
You'll want to oil the hinges on cabinet doors occasionally to keep them working smoothly. Drawers work on slides. Use the drawers gently to prevent damage to these mechanisms.
For special circumstances, you may need special approaches. If you have candle wax dripped onto your countertop, don't scrape it off. This can damage your counter. Use a plastic bag of ice cubes to chill the wax until it is brittle. Once it is cold enough, you can simply crumble it off. If one of the kids leaves chewing gum to harden on your counter, you can use the same technique.
If you find a greasy spot from lipstick or oil, rub it with a damp cloth. Once you have gotten up as much as possible, use the cleanser or polish recommended for the surface of your cabinet counters.
For general maintenance, do a complete cleaning of your double
vanity and other cabinets once a month inside and out. This will
keep the cabinets in perfect working order and remove any build up
of hairsprays and other residues. A simple wipe down or dusting may
suffice in between for those cabinets away from water sources.
