Your cabinets are one of the most visible and valuable parts of your kitchen or bathroom, so keeping them looking beautiful and functioning well matters. That innocent coffee splash or steamy dishwasher cycle could slowly damage your kitchen’s most expensive feature. Whether your cabinets are brand-new from a remodel or just part of your everyday kitchen or bath, simple care habits will help them shine for years.

Here’s how to keep your cabinetry in top condition with practical, easy-to-follow maintenance tips. And feel free to Download Our Maintenance Guide.

1. Everyday Cabinet Care: Small Habits = Big Impact

Wipe spills immediately
Food splatters, water droplets, or grease spots may seem harmless at first, but left unattended they can stain or damage your cabinet finish. Always clean up spills right away with a soft, damp cloth, then dry thoroughly to prevent moisture damage.

Keep surfaces dry
Avoid placing wet towels or damp cloths on cabinet doors or drawers. Excess moisture is one of cabinetry’s biggest enemies, especially near sinks, dishwashers, or cooktops where humidity tends to be high.

Protect from heat and steam
Heat from self-cleaning ovens or steam from dishwashers and cooktops can eventually harm your cabinetry finish. Give cabinets extra attention in these zones: wipe them down after steam exposure and be mindful of hot appliances nearby.

2. Routine Cleaning: How & What to Use

Gentle cleaning only
For regular cleaning, use a soft, clean cloth. A simple solution of warm water and a mild dish soap works wonders for most finishes. Avoid cleaners with bleach, ammonia, citrus, or harsh detergents, these can strip and dull the cabinet finish.

Avoid abrasive tools
Never use scouring pads, steel wool, or rough sponges — they scratch surfaces and wear down the protective finish. Stick to microfiber or soft cotton cloths for best results. The Spruce

Deep clean a few times a year
Even with weekly upkeep, oils and fingerprints build up around handles and high-touch zones. Plan a more thorough cleaning seasonally, tackling one section at a time.

3. Long-Term Cabinet Health Tips

Maintain consistent humidity and temperature
Cabinet materials — especially wood — respond to humidity and heat. Aim to keep indoor humidity between 35% to 50% and indoor temperatures stable. Too much humidity can cause wood to swell; too dry, it can crack or shrink. Good ventilation helps (especially in kitchens and bathrooms) to reduce excess moisture.

Watch out for sunlight
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can fade or darken cabinet finishes over time. If your cabinets get a lot of direct sun, consider window treatments or strategically placed blinds to preserve color.

Handle normal wear and tear
It’s normal for cabinetry to get the occasional scratch or loose hinge. Touch-up kits and periodic hardware tightening help keep your cabinets looking new and working smoothly.

4. Quick Maintenance Checklist

• Wipe spills immediately
• Use soft cloths & mild soap
• Dry all surfaces completely
• Avoid harsh cleaners & abrasives
• Clean high-touch areas seasonally
• Keep moisture & humidity in check
• Shield cabinets from direct sun
• Tighten hardware occasionally

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Source: Crystal Cabinet Works