Cleaning of cabinet facings should be done with mild soap and water or special cleaners as recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid abrasive cleaners. Select a commercial product intended for high quality cabinets when restoring or bringing back luster to original finish. Over time, due to grease, dust and dirt accumulation, cabinets can appear dull or may have stains from moisture exposure. Sponge off the cabinet face with ammonia water or use a product such as "Panel Magic" to restore full luster. If necessary, cabinet doors can be adjusted by simply loosening the screws and re-aligning the door.

Countertops of laminated plastic are finished to withstand normal wear, but not scratching or marring. Occasionally stains may occur that need to be removed. Use a foam-based commercial cleaner for porous finishes. Again, soap and warm water may be used for cleaning, but may need to be rinsed twice to avoid film build-up. Abrasive cleaners should never be used.

Placing hot pots and pans on laminated plastic surfaces will result in burn marks that cannot be removed. Only ceramic tile tops are generally capable of withstanding these temperatures without marring.

Laminated plastic tops obviously require caution to avoid scratching and chipping. Even if your laminated plastic top looks like a butcher-block, it is subject to damage if used as a cutting surface without protection.

Wooden chopping blocks are subject to much abuse and must be given special care. You can protect a chopping block from spills by coating it with a thin film of olive oil, allowing the oil to soak for a few minutes and then drying with paper towel. If your chopping block becomes stained, sand lightly with a fine grade sandpaper and re-oil. Do not use the chopping block for twenty-four hours after oiling. Odors of onion, garlic or other pungent foods may be removed from chopping blocks by scrubbing the block with a slice of lemon, sprinkling lightly with salt and wiping immediately with a paper towel. [top]

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