In this section
- Planning your kitchen
- Buying your kitchen
- Appliances and furniture
- Maintenance and care
- Kitchen design tips
- Accessible kitchens
- FAQs
- Kitchen image gallery
Special features
KBSA Consumer Guide
Our FREE guide contains practical advice for consumers who are considering buying a new kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or home office.
Cleaning and general maintenance
Most of the products and components in your fitted kitchen can be cleaned with a sponge moistened with soapy water. Avoid using abrasive sponges or scouring creams: you could permanently damage your new units. A large number of cleaning products containing solvents are not recommend by manufacturers – if in doubt its worth checking with your supplier.
Door fronts
Laminates and melamine
Dust, non-encrusted dirt and finger marks can be removed by using an alcohol-based window cleaning product or clean, soapy water. When using the latter, quickly rinse with clear water and wipe dry with a Software duster. Laminates may be damaged by acetone. But don’t panic, most pencil, ball pen, felt-pen, lipstick or paint marks can be removed by using this product. Just rinse and dry immediately after application.
Solid wood
Wood is a living material that will swell with moisture and retract in dry air even when manufactured and varnished. You should thus avoid subjecting solid wood to humidity where joints could be damaged.
Light will cause wood to change colour slightly. It will become darker or lighter with time, irrespective of the coat of varnish. If you need to replace an old door with a new one, you should be aware that it will take a few months to soften and mellow in colour.
Varnished solid wood
Do not let water penetrate the varnish: wipe with a dry cloth immediately. Varnished solid wood is particularly sensitive to ink, alkaline cleaning products and solvents. Also, avoid wax and other polishes as they will encrust the doors and the solvent on household polish may cause wax to migrate into the coating and damage it.
Oiled solid wood
Do not leave water standing on the oiled wood: wipe with a dry cloth without delay. During the first two years, apply a coat of linseed oil (usually supplied with the units) once a year.
Caution! After use, cloths saturated with oil must be rinsed with water and then dried flat. Auto-combustion can occur.
Structured and etched (serigraphed) glass
The smooth side can be cleaned like any glass with alcohol based products. The structured, serigraphed side is most easily cleaned with a non-fluffy duster. There is a danger of encrusting the design if cleaning products are used. For framed glass doors, make sure the cleaning product does not get into the ridges and cause damage.
Lacquer
Lacquer is the most delicate of the surfaces used in kitchens and should be cleaned with as much care as varnished solid wood doors. Numerous household products and organic solvents are harmful to lacquered doors. Only use soapy water.
Polymeric wrapped doors
Polymer is a thermoplastic film of PVC or ABS coating a wood-fibre panel. As with many other plastics, solvents such as alcohol, acetone or trichlorethylene should on no account be used. It is best to use soapy water. Avoid rubbing when dry as this will cause static and attract more dust and dirt.
Caution! Polymer fronts risk degradation when close to a heated oven with the door open. Most polymer fronts are designed to withstand temperatures of up to 70 degrees C. Be sure you purchase a quality appliance so that the external temperature does not exceed this level.
Metal
Fingerprints show up clearly on brushed steel, but the solution to this is very simple. Clean the stainless steel with the cleaning fluid that your retailer can provide you with or with an alcohol-based window cleaning product and a dry cloth.
Next, rub with another cloth impregnated with methylated spirits, leaving a film on the surface, which should not be wiped off. The film will prevent fingerprints from adhering, making them less visible and easier to clean off later.
Stainless steel is particularly sensitive to scratches so avoid scouring powders or abrasive sponges!
Worktops
Avoid using an abrasive sponge on the joints of hobs and sinks flush with the worktops.
Tiles
Rustic French style kitchens often have tiled worktops. Tiles are resistant to scratching, however the joints need to be looked after: you can buy waterproofing products and stains for restoring the original colour.
Glass
Glass is cleaned with alcohol based window cleaning products. Some products have specific instructions which should be carefully followed.
Laminates
Laminates are the all-purpose materials for worktops. Most marks can be removed by just wiping with a damp sponge and drying off with a cloth. More resistant marks can be removed with a little washing-up liquid or clean soapy water.
Varnished oiled wood
Worktops made from varnished oiled wood should not be neglected; they require regular care. Please refer to the maintenance notice supplied with the worktops.
Oil saturates the fibres of the wood. Any stains and marks therefore remain on the surface, making them easy to clean off with a damp sponge. Regularly, that is once a month, they require fresh oiling with linseed oil. This will preserve the warmth and beauty of the wood. Just brush a thin coat over the worktop. Leave to dry for 12 hours. Scratches can be removed by rubbing down with grade 200 grit sandpaper, then oiling again.
Take care! Solid oiled wood is particularly sensitive to excessive heat, spilt water left to stand, bleach and solvents.
Stone, granite, marble
Granite is a hard rock made of crystals of feldspar, mica and quartz. A natural, strong, inert and slightly porous material, it requires no particular maintenance. It can be damaged and stained by oils and wine. It can be chipped and will crack if exposed to cold or heat excessively. Your retailer will be pleased to advise you.
Take care! Stone is a natural material and marble is a porous stone that is damaged by staining and acids – vinegar, wine and lemon juice.
Composite worktops
Made of synthetic materials, composite tops with integrated sinks have the advantage of being waterproof. They are easily cleaned with soapy water or alcohol-based products such as those used for cleaning windows. The exact composition varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Mineralite worktops
For the day-to-day care of your Mineralite worktop, use a sponge and water, soapy water if necessary, or with an alcohol-based cleaning product (e.g window cleaner). The use of a light grease remover or vitroceramic hob cleaner is also possible. Dry with a cloth after cleaning. Traces of limescale in difficult areas (such as around the taps or drain plugs) can be cleaned with vinegar, a vinegar-based cleaner or citric acid. Rinse with clean water and wipe down.
Steel worktops
Fingerprints show up clearly on brushed steel, but the solution to this is very simple. Clean the stainless steel with the cleaning fluid that your retailer can provide you with or with an alcohol based window cleaning product.
Working components
Drawers
Fingerprints can be wiped off using an alcohol-based window cleaning product, or clean soapy water. When using the latter, rinse quickly with clear water then dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Take care! Do not leave water standing in the drawers as it may cause chipboard base panels to swell and distort.
Handles and profiles
They can be cleaned with a cloth moistened with slightly soapy water. Quickly wipe dry with a dry, soft and lint-free cloth.
Accessories
Waste bins
Clean with a sponge moistened with water and a cleaning product or bleach, rinse and wipe with a dry cloth.
Non-slip mats
Noise-reducing, moisture-protection mats are often added to deep draw units as an upgrade. Remove the mats and clean them with a sponge moistened with water and cleaning product or bleach, and wipe dry.
Damp-proof mats
Aluminium protection in the sink units and appliance housings. Clean with a damp sponge and a cleaning product or bleach. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Plastic accessories
Clean with soapy water. Do not use solvents.
Steel accessories
Clean steel with an alcohol based window cleaning product and dry cloth.
Chopping board
Do not put the chopping boards in the dishwasher. Never leave liquid standing on the board as it will swell if left damp. Boards should be cleaned with a sponge moistened with a little water. Wipe dry immediately using a highly absorbent kitchen paper.
