10 Better Remedies Than Cleaning A Shiny Kitchen At Home
Modern kitchen interiors and furniture are made from plastics and composite materials. Their surfaces, for more expressiveness, are matte, glossy or textured. Once the hostess will inevitably face an acute question - what is the best way to clean and wash a glossy kitchen, so as not to damage the panels, while achieving the required cleanliness. There is a way out, we will analyze in detail all possible options.
Types and characteristics of coatings
Manufacturers of kitchen sets and countertops successfully combine different materials. Most often it is chipboard or MDF, laminated (painted).Acrylic paints rival plastic, and decorating with cheap PVC film helps change the look beyond recognition. This is how moisture-resistant, durable slabs imitating stone, natural wood, futuristic are created.
Each material has both strengths and weaknesses. Accordingly, specific cleaning agents are used for them.
Plastic
The use of cheap, durable and unpretentious plastic elements in the manufacture of furniture minimizes the risk of ruining cabinets and cabinets if handled carelessly. Polymers are not afraid of water, can withstand contact with hot dishes, do not fade. Another advantage of the material is the low weight of plastics: compared to metal, wood, they are much lighter, without losing overall rigidity and reliability.
Dye
The traditional method of facade treatment is painting, which is used to create durable, abrasion-resistant coatings on the surfaces of pressed MDF panels. According to the technology, a coloring layer is applied first, and then varnish (to create a glossy effect). Some difficulties lie in the increased requirements for the preparation of the base: the absence of potholes, gaps, roughness. This is ensured by repeated grinding of the material with abrasives and emery paper.
PVC-film
A polymer film applied to the surface of the material by pressing is an economical solution. The consumer can choose white, blue, red, black and other colors to his liking, of which the manufacturer has enough in stock.
The advantages of the material are wear resistance, strength and low cost.
But it is better to avoid contact with water - the PVC coating is sensitive to it, especially on unprotected joints, edges.
Acrylic
Acrylic materials are polymers, which means that they are fully equipped with the advantages and disadvantages of plastics. The method of applying a layer of plastic to the main surface is by gluing. The coating is durable and easy to maintain.
But when choosing a detergent, aggressive compounds should be avoided - they will destroy the gloss of the surface.
MDF painted under varnish
MDF is considered a hygroscopic material; without special protection, the panel is quickly saturated with moisture and collapses. To do this, it is painted, covered with a special varnish. The coating will protect the MDF, but at the same time it is sensitive to abrasives and aggressive compounds.
The main causes of pollution
The kitchen is a potential source of pollution. Grease, food debris, temperature changes of the hob, oven, fumes - these factors negatively affect furniture. Even fingerprints on the gloss are visible to the naked eye. Using gas burners also leaves a greasy soot on cabinet furniture. Therefore, it is impossible to do without cleaning, care of materials.
High temperature
It is impossible to cook breakfast, a serious meal for a large family without using the hob. This means that there will be a potential source of high temperature with likely impact on cabinet furniture materials.
Humidity
Modern cabinet kitchen furniture layouts involve the use of floor pedestals, wall cabinets and shelves. According to the law of physics, warm, moist air will rise, affecting materials and surfaces. And this is another destructive factor.
Food evaporation
It is impossible to cook soup, borscht, fried potatoes and avoid evaporation of food, contact of drops and tiny particles with furniture. Subsequently, together with other contaminants, this forms a stable foreign layer that breaks up the gloss on the surfaces of cabinets and worktops.
finger touch
The most common source of pollution. A thin layer of grease remaining on the pads of the fingers leaves characteristic marks on the surfaces, especially the shiny ones.
Accidental spillage of food on the surface of the furniture
Spilled milk, accidentally falling fragments from a future dinner - all this cannot be avoided. As a result, another stain remains on the surface.
Rules of care
Each material requires a different "maintenance" method. In general, shiny surfaces are susceptible to:
- humidity;
- aggressive solvents;
- ultraviolet light;
- abrasive materials;
- overheated.
Otherwise, the new kitchen will quickly lose its attractive appearance, become shabby and ugly.
Wipe carefully
One of the main conditions for caring for furniture is to wipe the surfaces with a clean, dry cloth. This is done in order to remove residual moisture from the doors and walls of cabinets. Otherwise, liquids will find a weak point in the structure and begin to affect chipboard or MDF - the main materials of modern furniture.
Avoid direct sunlight
Yes, some PVC films and paints are afraid of ultraviolet rays. It destroys the dyes, the structure of the material and reduces the durability of kitchen furniture.
Use only diluted detergents
Modern detergents contain various components in a concentrated form.Therefore, it is impossible to use them in "pure" form - only diluted. The recipe is usually indicated on the label. Some products with glossy surfaces are incompatible, as they will irrevocably destroy the gloss of the coating.
Non-abrasive, soft cloths can be used
The best option is special viscose napkins. They do not scratch varnished and coated surfaces, do not contain hard particles that affect shine.
Avoid heating
Even heat-resistant plastics have temperature limits. To a greater extent, this applies to glossy surfaces.When heated, peeling of paint, film and polymer from the base occurs.
Good hood
Kitchen ventilation is essential for many reasons. To prevent lingering cooking odors from building up in the hob or oven. In addition, the extractor hood will help extend the life of the furniture.
How to wash
There are many ways to clean the surfaces of kitchen fronts with detergents: ready-made, factory-made or homemade. Each of them focuses on a specific type of surface.
Soap solution
The easiest yet most effective method of cleaning a kitchen cabinet with soapy water. Laundry soap, finely planed and dissolved in water, will help clean plastic facades.
Mustard
Mustard powder will help remove grease from the kitchen set. Simply sprinkle the contaminated area with dry mustard, moisten it with water, then wipe it off. The cleaned surface is wiped with a soft, dry cloth.
fuming
A special device - the steam cleaner will solve the problem of fat droplets that have accumulated even in hard-to-reach places (on upper shelves, high cabinets). It is effective not only against dirt, but also as a disinfectant.
Special means
A separate category is made up of products containing chemicals, special solvents, components for giving shine. Many of them are around the house or on hardware store shelves.
Window cleaner
Wipers in convenient spray bottles will help remove dirty stains and restore shine to the surfaces of furniture facades. They contain special ingredients to clean the toughest stains and add shine. More details here.
Spray for glossy finishes
This composition is intended for polishing, removing small scratches from the surface of varnish coatings. In combination with the soft towel material that does not scratch the surface, it will help restore lost shine.
Liquid soap
Modern hand wash products include effective grease removers as well as skin emollient additives. In diluted form, a soap solution for cleaning the kitchen is what is needed.
Wet wipes
Towels made of polyester and impregnated with special solvents of moderate action will be an excellent alternative to other products. They will not cause damage, but will help with cleaning. An important condition is that no water is used when using them.
Microfiber cloth for wiping
The final chord of the cleaning symphony is a complete wiping of the facades with a dry cloth.This is necessary to remove the remaining cleaning fluid from the furniture surface. Modern synthetic wipes are created in such a way that they are recommended even for washing cars, where one of the main conditions is the absence of abrasive action on the paint. It doesn't hurt to have similar ones at home, for washing the kitchen.
Wax polish for shine
Wax formulations can leave sticky marks and are not suitable for all materials. You can find out more about the use of funds in connection with a specific case from the instructions on the package. They are certainly not suitable for plastic panels, but you can try with varnished panels.
What not to use
A strict taboo is imposed on certain funds in the territory of the kitchen. They cannot be used under any circumstances. These are aggressive solvents, abrasives and similar compounds.
Solvents
Plastics, polymer films, paint and varnish coatings are sensitive to the action of organic solvents. In order not to completely spoil the surface of the countertop, facade, before using the product, you need to study its composition indicated on the label. If it contains the word "solvent", you can not use the reactant.
Nitroglycerine
A transparent liquid, slightly oily in consistency, cannot be used for cleaning in the kitchen. Pollution cannot be eliminated with its help, and there will not be many benefits from such an alternative. And the remaining oily stains will then be difficult to remove from the glossy surface.
Alcohol
Most alcohols, including ethyl alcohols, are solvents. Alcohol-containing liquids contribute to the destruction of the integrity of paint and varnish coatings, loss of gloss.
Ammonia
Ammonia is also an organic solvent. Therefore, the benefits of its use for cleaning varnished surfaces, plastics are questionable.
Polymer resins
Components of adhesives and varnishes, which are polymer resins, of course, cannot be used for cleaning coatings. Moreover, when they are accidentally applied to a surface, they create the following problem: how to remove this composition from the coating.
soda and salt
However, the generally harmless components can cause serious damage if misused. Soda and salt are both weakly abrasive materials, they will certainly leave scratches on glossy facades and destroy the gloss of the coating.
Prophylaxis
To avoid serious problems, you should make it a rule to periodically clean the surfaces from dirt, wipe them dry. And once a week you can carry out treatment with a steam cleaner or general cleaning of particularly problem areas. And then the kitchen will last for a long time, delighting with its bright appearance and shine.