How to Look After Your New Kitchen

Different kitchen finishes require different maintenance.  When it comes to benchtops, the most popular benchtops and how you care for them are as follows:

Laminate – wipe clean with a sponge, hot water, and maybe a touch of dish soap. If your laminate benchtop has a rough finish and you have been rolling dough, or if the benchtop is exceptionally dirty, you may have to use a soft scourer or brush to get it clean. It is imperative you don’t allow water to sit on any joins, or around the edges of the sink, for as you know water has a way of finding its way into any crevice, whether you can see it or not.

Natural Stone – wipe over with a sponge, hot water, and maybe a touch of dish soap. Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to use the commercial cleaner as you could damage the finish on your benchtop. Wipe over with baby oil or similar once a year or as required. Your stone can be resealed if required.

Hinges and Drawer roller runners – a light spray of a silicon lubricant once a year is quite sufficient. A well-made kitchen using quality materials should last for 20 odd years. I have seen many of my client’s kitchens over 20 years old, and they have stood the test of time.

When it comes to the general wear and tear of your kitchen and its different finishes, there are a few things to be aware of. Any kitchen designer will warn you that you should never place a hot pan directly on your benchtop, especially laminate as it can scorch and leave a mark. As for natural or engineered stone, you again should not be putting a hot pan onto these surfaces, as the sudden change in heat could cause cracking.

So with a little common sense, and not allowing your children to swing on the doors, or slam the drawers shut, you should get many trouble-free years out of your new kitchen.