Q: I have new stained wood kitchen cabinets. What’s the best way to care for them?
A: Wood cabinets and furniture of all types require routine care and attention. You should dust weekly and apply furniture polish monthly. Use a wax-free and silicone-free polish. Apply polish to a clean, soft, lint-free, cotton cloth and wipe in the direction of the wood grain. Never apply polish directly to the surface you are cleaning. Work on a small area at a time and wipe completely dry before moving to the next area. Clean spills and splatters immediately because prolonged exposure to food or liquids may discolor the cabinet finish. Avoid using a dishcloth to wipe your cabinets, since it may contain remnants of grease and detergents. Never use abrasive sponges, abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, harsh detergents, ammonia solutions, glass cleaner or powdered cleaners on wood surfaces. Cleaning products specifically formulated for wood cabinets and furniture are recommended to remove kitchen grease, cooking oil, smoke film and several kinds of stains. Use your cook top or oven hood fan when cooking to draw steam and grease away from your cabinets.
