Tips on Cleaning Different Materials in the Kitchen - 1
This page has been requested by customers, asking how to clean different materials. This is Dream Kitchens
guide to useful tips, some of which have been supplied by manufacturers and others by customers.
Although these tips have been tried and tested, we would like to point out that they should be carried out with
caution and used at your own risk, we are not liable for any claims, or damage, arising from using the remedies.
Please check with your kitchen supplier/manufacturer first, guarantees can be invalidated if the correct advice isn′t taken.
It is always safest to take any manufacturers advice foremost.
Before trying out any of the remedies, experiment on an area hidden away, not on direct view, first.
Enter the BBC Virtual home tour for more house tips...
If you feel that you have a good tried and tested tip to offer others and would like to contribute to this page,
please send your tip to us via our contact page and we will endeavor to include it at a later date.
Cleaning Timber Doors:
Wooden doors should be wiped over using a soft slightly damp cloth and then thoroughly dried. All kitchen cabinet doors are lacquered to protect the timber and any colour staining used in its manufacture, this lacquer breathes to protect the timber from humidity, so any polishes used, could possibly “clog” the breathing ability of the finish, the supplied door is adequate for normal use.
Cleaning Foil and Vinyl Doors:
Cleaning is easy with warm water, a sponge and liquid cleaners. Ensure doors are dried with a clean dry cloth to eliminate signs of water marks. For more stubborn marks use a non-abrasive cleaner, avoid excessive heavy rubbing in one small area, as it can not only remove the colour but change the sheen level.
Cleaning Corian®:
For the full Dupont™ Corian® Use and Care Guidelines, please view here.
Upon installation a Corian® worktop will have an overall satin sheen finish. However as you use it, Corian® acquires a smoother more silken finish and appearance. Even the cleaning properties appear to improve with use. To prevent this lustre developing unevenly, use a gentle abrasive powder bleach e.g. Bar Keepers Friend® (on left) or a mild cream abrasive cleanser e.g. Cif, once or twice a month over the first few months.
For normal cleaning of worktops just wipe with a (clean - grit free) damp cloth using an ammonia-based hard surface cleaner, e.g. Flash, or Mr. Muscle, or use a solution of warm water with a mild detergent and dry with a soft clean cloth or paper towel, using a circular motion. Although liquids cannot penetrate Corian®, any spillage of fluids should be wiped up immediately to eliminate staining.
Clean the sink, with a damp cloth and detergent as above, wiping it well and rinsing to get rid of any oils and fat or, spray with a hard surface cleaner and leave a few minutes before rinsing/wiping clean with a damp cloth and finishing with a dry cloth. If any stains need more attention sprinkle a gentle abrasive powder bleach on the damp surface and leave for a few minutes before using a soft cloth to rub with a circular motion and rinsing/wiping then drying.
Once or twice a week, give your sink a beauty treatment. Remove all the fat & oil residues of normal food preparation from the sink, using detergent or hard surface cleaner. Partially fill the sink with warm (not boiling) water. Add 1-2 teaspoons (5-10ml) of liquid household bleach, and leave for a few hours or overnight. You do not need a strong solution. In the morning, the sink should be beautifully clean, with very little effort.
As Corian® is non-porous, most stains can be removed with a damp cloth. More stubborn stains, even cigarette burns can be removed with abrasive plastic scouring pad e.g. Scotch-Brite, using common household abrasive cleaners. Always using a circular motion over a wide area, do not try rubbing excessively on a small spot, as it will leave an indent to the worktop.
Rather than cause accidental damage, prevent such damage in the first place:
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• Always use a heat protection pad or trivet (with rubber feet) for hot cookware, or leave cookware to cool on the hob first.
• Never put hot pans, particularly cast iron, directly on a Corian® top or in a sink. Such heat can damage any surface!
• If you must put a hot pan on the base of a sink use a protective sink mat, sponge, or cloth beneath. It is best to leave the utensil to cool slightly first, or put a few inches of cool water in the sink before the pan.
• Avoid pouring boiling liquids directly into sinks without turning on the cold tap as well.
• Use occasional overall cleaning as described. Darker colours may show wear and tear more readily and need a bit more attention, just as with dark coloured wood. If Corian® is accidentally scored or scratched more severely (e.g. by kettle or toaster, or unglazed ceramic pulled across the surface) you can usually restore it yourself.
• It is not a good idea to cut or chop on Corian® - it will score the work surface! Use a chopping board instead.
The beauty of Corian® is that even after many years of use your worktops will still look good. Most damage can be repaired and the original hygienic surface restored. It provides a long-term, renewable, easy-to-work-on, sympathetic surface.
Cleaning Granite:
Granite is a hard and reasonably non porous stone that is unaffected by most chemicals, but it still requires a high proportion of care when cleaning. Strong chemicals should be avoided.
How to look after your granite worksurface:
Here is some basic recommendations on how to keep your granite surface clean. Keeping to these simple tips on your new granite worktop, can keep the surface looking new for many trouble free years ahead.
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• Always clean (by dabbing the cloth) any water marks or liquid spillages instantly.
• Regularly dust the surface, with a lint free clean dry cloth.
• Do not rub with abrasive materials, instead, wash with clean warm water to which a non-abrasive light neutral detergent (PH7) may be added.
• Use a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid plate washing detergent such as fairy liquid or just warm water.
• After using the soap solution, rinse well, as too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks, dry with a chamois leather or similar.
• Always use a clean rag, if you do manage to stain the top, knowing the chemical or fluid that instigated it, is 90% of the battle in removing it.
• All products containing acids should be avoided, any acid in high concentration etches the surface.
• Remember, do not mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
• Do not use any abrasive powders or creams that may create scratches, if in doubt - don′t use it.
• Do not rest extremely hot pans over granite worktops, since the granite quickly absorbs heat and distributes it out causing marks.
• Drainer Grooves can be cleaned using an extremely fine wire wool.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
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