Care Tips for European Kitchens

The breathtaking, clean new kitchen you’ve just had installed has made it the room you never want to leave. The smell of newly installed appliances and fresh cabinets is unlike any other. You must think that since it’s new, it’ll take a while for anything to get messy or break. However, there’s no better time to start taking care of your brand-new kitchen than the present. Looking after your kitchen straight after installation means it’ll always look this way and you can hang on to that feeling forever. Below is a compiled list of how to look after your kitchen, ensuring it stays pristine for as long as possible.

Surfaces

In general, the surfaces in your new European home kitchen can be cleaned with mild, water-soluble household cleaning agents. It’s advised to avoid abrasive and harsh cleaners and stick to a soft cloth or sponge. After cleaning, ensure you dry the surface completely to avoid any build-up of water damage. Steam cleaners should never be used when cleaning surfaces in your kitchen. However, although these are the general guidelines, there are several different types of surfaces that have individual requirements to ensure long-lasting quality.

Laminate and Glass Surfaces

These surfaces can be easily kept using any basic household cleaning product with a soft cloth. Dilute the cleaning agent with water depending on the severity of the mess and then wipe down dry like you would any other time. Avoid any vinegar cleaners, resin thinners and nitro-based cleaners.

High Gloss Surfaces

High gloss is easy to clean with just water and a clean cloth so you don’t scratch the surface. The same applies to ultra-high gloss surfaces but you can use a 1% soap solution for more stubborn marks.

Lacquered Surfaces

Lacquered fronts also follow basic cleaning guidelines. However, for more stubborn dirt you may want to use washing up liquid and clean it with a soft sponge. After this, repeat another wipe of the surface with just water and then clean until it’s completely dry.

Wood Veneer Surfaces

The best way to take care of these surfaces is by wiping them with a dry duster in the direction of the grain so all dirt is removed from the pores. If the surface is more dirty than usual, a damp cloth should do the trick. In the case of stains by pen or shoe polish, methylated spirit is the best product to use. Avoid ammonia-based products and acetone.

Acrylic Surfaces

These surfaces are very easy to clean with just lightly soapy water. Like most other surfaces, avoid abrasive cleaners to prevent any damage.

Stainless Steel Surfaces

Stainless steel can easily be scratched so ensure you clean it with a clean sponge using washing up liquid. If the marks are harder to remove, it’s recommended to use a standard metal polish agent. Once these steps have been taken, clean with a damp cloth and then dry.

Worktops

With any worktop, they shouldn’t be used as a cutting surface as this will leave many cuts and scratches. Similarly, avoid sliding any pots or pans across the surface and don’t place them straight on to the worktop if they are hot. Many worktops can be cleaned using basic household cleaning products with a soft cloth and avoid any abrasive or harsh cleaners.

Below are different types of worktops and their individual care tips for keeping them at the highest quality standards.

Laminate Worktops

With worktops, traces of use cannot always be avoided but precautions such as using a cutting board and heat pad are useful. Laminate worktops can be cleaned with gentle agents and hot water, but ensure they have thoroughly dried afterwards. If there is dirt in the pores, a brush and washing up liquid is very useful with cold water. Again, ensure to dry afterwards.

Granite Worktops

Daily maintenance of a granite worktop is best when using warm water and washing up liquid followed by drying. If fat or oil makes its way onto this surface, ensure you clean it straight away so that they aren’t absorbed.

Solid Wood Worktops

Cleaning this worktop is easy and follows the basic rules. Wipe any stains immediately with water, a clean sponge and washing up liquid.

Quartz Worktops

For regular dirt, remove it by using a damp cloth. If there are dry stains, diluting vinegar with some water and wiping down is the best way to remove them. Follow this with a wipe down of warm water and then drying.

Glass Worktops

Glass worktops can be cleaned using the standard method. Make sure you avoid any scraping tools and use a worktop saver as scratching is very easy on this surface.

Ceramic Worktops

When maintaining this worktop, make sure any spill or dirt is cleaned within 24 hours. Dried on dirt can be removed with diluted vinegar. If the stain is very stubborn, use methylated spirits or acetone as a last resort. Make sure you rinse the surface afterwards and dry thoroughly.

Other Kitchen Care Tips

Hobs and Sinks

These surfaces are best cleaned using a moist cloth and washing up liquid. Any tough water spots can be removed using a normal household cleaner or diluted vinegar.

Plastic Components

Any plastic item such as cutlery trays and plastic inserts can be cleaned with a damp cloth and any mild cleaning product. Ensure they have completely dried afterwards.

Metal Parts

Any metal parts such as handles can easily be looked after using water and washing up liquid. Prevent damage by avoiding strong acid or alkaline products.

Cupboard Interior

When cleaning inside any drawers or cupboards, use a damp cloth and a bit of methylated spirit. You can also use any common household cleaner. Make sure it is thoroughly dried after cleaning.

If you find which worktops and surfaces you have in your kitchen and follow these easy tips, the highest quality standards of your European manufacturer will remain.

European kitchens are a valued addition to every home and deserve the proper care. The durability of the room will make it your proudest addition, as long as you look after it properly. There’s no better time to start pampering your new kitchen than the present.

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