Kitchens and bathrooms are constantly exposed to moisture, which can easily damage the fixtures, especially wooden ones. Tile grouts are likewise susceptible to water and moisture damage, and they’re usually in showers and ceramic countertops. However, even if these fixtures aren’t meant for water exposure, they’re still necessary for our kitchens and bathrooms.
Proper cleaning and maintenance are keys to keeping our kitchen and bathrooms damage-free and fresh-looking. While your home is still in excellent condition, practice the right way of cleaning them now to maintain their gleam.
Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets and Other Wooden Furnishing
1. Soap and Water
As much as possible, you’d want to avoid using water to clean your kitchen cabinets and other wooden surfaces, but when sticky dirt like food residue has adhered to it, soap and water would be needed to clean it.
If the wooden surfaces in your kitchen have a plastic coating, you can use an all-purpose cleaning spray instead of soap and water. Otherwise, dissolve a mild soap or detergent in water, dip a cloth into it, and wring the cloth until it’s nearly dry. Wipe area, rinse, and dry it immediately using a clean and soft cloth.
2. Kitchen Remedy
You can also mix strained lemon juice, olive oil, denatured alcohol, and gum turpentine (all in equal amounts) to remove grime on wooden surfaces. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and use it to wipe away the dirt, then buff it afterwards with a dry, clean cloth.
A mixture of vinegar and water is also effective in removing sticky residue in kitchen cabinets. Dip a sponge into the mixture and gently scrub away the dirt. For stains, create a paste from baking soda and water. Apply it onto a sponge, and then scrub the stains until it goes away.
3. Touch-Up Kits
Ask your new kitchen cabinet provider in Utah for a touch-up kit when they deliver your new custom cabinetry. This is to hide any scratch that may show up in the long run. There are also other products available in home improvement stores that specifically hide scratches.
Cleaning Bathroom Tiles
1. Dry Towels
The key to maintaining a bathroom’s freshness is by keeping its surfaces dry. With a dry, clean towel, wipe away the water in the counter and sink after use. Make sure to also keep the tight spaces between the faucet and the porcelain dry, because mold and mildew can quickly develop in there.
2. Tile Cleaner and All-Purpose Cleaner
A tile cleaner and a grout brush effectively remove mildew in your tile grout. Rinse with water afterwards and let dry. For your bathroom walls, spray an all-purpose cleaner all over and wipe them down, making sure you’ve removed any sticky dirt and stains. Let the area dry by opening a window or turning on the bathroom fan.
3. Old Toothbrush
Keep an old toothbrush to clear away soap scum usually found in the space where the bathtub or shower meets the wall.
Maintenance Tips
In your kitchen, place ovens and stoves as far as possible from your kitchen cabinets. The heat these appliances emit can damage wood, although rarely. Still, it’s better to be cautious.
If there’s a window in your kitchen that allows direct sunlight in, use drapery or blinds to reduce exposure. Sunlight causes discoloration on your kitchen cabinets and other painted wood surfaces, as well as on laminated and thermofoil surfaces.
Avoid hanging damp cloth and/or dish towels to your kitchen cabinet doors as well. While cooking, switch on the exhaust fan to prevent grease from touching your cabinets, and wipe away any spill and spatter immediately.
In the bathroom, open the windows or run the fan after bathing to dry out the area. Wash your bath towels regularly, empty the trash bin daily, and use scented candles or linen sprays to keep your bathroom smelling fresh.
Maintaining the cleanliness in your kitchen and bathroom should be easy. Water damage can be costly to combat, so make it a habit to keep these areas dry and fresh.
