Cabinet Maintenance
Here are several ways to care for your custom-built cabinetry to ensure it lasts for years
Adjusting Doors
demonstration Video coming soon!
Adjusting cabinet door hinges is a simple task that can help align doors and improve their functionality. reasons you may need to readjust the hinges are settling of the house, wear and tear, temperature/humidity changes, and heavy usage.
top screw Controls the door’s vertical alignment (up or down). middle screw Controls the door's depth (in or out, towards or away from the cabinet frame). bottom screw Controls the door’s side-to-side alignment (left or right).
After making your adjustments, close the door to see how it aligns with the cabinet frame. If it's still misaligned, repeat the adjustments until the door is perfectly positioned.
Removing Drawer Boxes
demonstration Video coming soon!
This is especially useful if the drawer below is stuck or obstructed by household items, and it can make cleaning your cabinets much easier.
Look underneath the drawer for the clips that hold the drawer in place. These are orange plastic clips attached to the front corners on the bottom of the box.
squeeze the clip and gently pull forward; you will feel the drawer release from the slide.
To reinsert the drawer, align the slides, and carefully push the drawer back in all the way. You’ll hear a click, indicating that the drawer is securely in place.
Cleaning Products
When cleaning your cabinets, it's important to steer clear of products with harsh chemicals, as they can damage the finish over time. Opting for a natural cleaner is a better choice. Here are some excellent options that are safe for both your cabinets and your family:
a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water. Use a soft cloth to gently wipe down the surfaces, then dry with a clean, soft towel to prevent moisture buildup.
equal parts of white vinegar and water for a natural, non-toxic cleaner. This can be used to clean grime and dust without harsh chemicals.
For tough stains, you can create a paste by mixing baking soda with a little water. Apply it gently to the stained area and wipe it off with a soft cloth.
Beeswax-based polishes are great for conditioning wood and providing a gentle shine while also nourishing the wood.
Bumblechutes Citrus solvent is made from 100% natural ingredients and breaks through tough grease. This product is a great house cleaner, perfect for your appliances!
We have many products available for purchase on our store page, pickup in our showroom Monday through Thursday 8am-4pm.
Prevent Cracking and Warping
To prevent cracking and warping of cabinets in your home, it's essential to understand how environmental factors like humidity, temperature changes, and natural house settling affect wood over time. Wood is a natural, porous material—it expands and contracts based on moisture and heat. Without proper precautions, this movement can lead to visible cracks, warping, or even joint separation in cabinets.Control Humidity and Temperature.
Wood is highly sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature
Ideal indoor humidity should stay between 35–55% year-round.
Use a humidifier in winter (when air tends to be dry) and a dehumidifier or AC in summer (when humidity is high).
Avoid placing cabinets near direct heat sources (like radiators or ovens) or vents that blow hot or cold air.
House Settling and Structural Shifting
All homes settle slowly over time, especially in areas with shifting soils or extreme seasons. This can:
Stress cabinet joints, especially if they’re mounted tightly without allowing for movement.
Lead to hairline cracks in the finish where the wood is forced to flex or shift.
Cause doors and drawers to misalign, rubbing or sticking, which wears down painted or stained surfaces unevenly.
Heat Exposure:
Excess heat
especially near appliances, ovens, or direct sunlight, can:
Soften or discolor finishes over time, especially paints and clear coats.
Cause drying and shrinkage of the wood underneath, leading to fine cracks or “checking” in the finish.
Speed up the breakdown of protective coatings, making the wood underneath more vulnerable to moisture and wear.
When To Refinish
Vs.
When To Replace
Refinish:
Cabinets are made from solid wood or high-quality plywood.
The cabinet boxes (frames) are sturdy and undamaged.
You like the current layout and storage works well.
You’re mostly unhappy with the color, finish, or minor surface damage.
Not all types of wood are ideal for painting. While it's technically possible to paint any wood, some species yield much better results than others due to differences in grain texture, density, and how the wood absorbs paint.
The best woods for painting are smooth, closed-grain hardwoods like maple and cherry. These woods have tight, even grain structures that allow paint to sit on the surface cleanly, resulting in a smooth, consistent finish without the grain pattern showing through.
Replace:
Cabinet boxes are warped, water-damaged, moldy, or structurally weak.
You want to change the layout or improve functionality (e.g., add more storage, bigger island).
Your current cabinets are low-quality (e.g., particle board).
You’re doing a full kitchen remodel and want a new design, color, or configuration.
Doors don’t close properly or are falling off.
Drawers stick or are broken.
You want modern features like pull-out shelves, soft-close hinges, or deeper drawers.