Antique Cream Kitchen Cabinets: Care And Maintenance Tips

Published

If you are an antique diehard, your love and deep appreciation for the objects and finishings can extend to your cooking space. And yes! In antique cream kitchen cabinets, you can draw history, craftsmanship, and unique character. The fittings are timeless and bring charm and elegance to your kitchen.

But with all this charm, caring and maintaining the bright color and finishing can be distressful. Antique cream kitchen cabinets need regular cleaning, polishing, waxing, and protection against water and sunlight to keep them looking pristine. Scratches, stains, and spills are more visible on these cupboards, thus requiring regular cleaning and maintenance practices to maintain the style of your home. Here are some valuable guidelines to help you properly care for and maintain your vintage kitchen cabinets.

Regular Cleaning

Periodic cleaning of your cabinets is an evident care and maintenance procedure. But most homeowners do not do it right. Wiping your antique cream kitchen cabinets isn’t enough. Have a look at how you can clean your fittings.

  • Dusting: One of the ways to identify a dusty cabinet is by observing the finish. It is usually dull. And the solution is straightforward. Dusting your cream color cabinets should be regular. It comes first before wiping with a wet cloth. You will need a lint-free cloth or a feather duster to remove the dust, debris, and web buildup. A gentle cleaning solution in warm water brightens your dusty cream cabinets kitchen. Dampen a soft sponge in the solution and gently wipe down the surfaces, in and out. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and scouring pads that can damage the finish.
  • Spill And Stain Removal: It isn’t easy to cook without spills, but leaving them on your cream color kitchen cabinets forms stains. You may not be sure which run-over will develop stains. It could be herbs like turmeric, turmeric, paprika, blueberry, beetroot, saffron, and blackberry. Also, liquids like red wine, soda, and coffee can stain your cream kitchen cabinets beyond removal. But if you clean the mess while it is fresh, your color will remain unaffected. If the stains are stubborn, consult a professional antique furniture restorer for safe, appropriate cleaning techniques.
  • Avoid Harsh Chemicals: You must use a gentle cleaning solution while regularly cleaning your antique cream kitchen cabinets. Harsh chemicals, such as bleach, ammonia, and other abrasive cleaners, can damage your cabinet finishing beyond restoration. Use dishwashing soap to clean your cabinets.  

Waxing  

Waxing your antique cream colored kitchen cabinets is essential. The process includes applying a thin layer of high-quality furniture wax and buffing your cabinets to enhance their shine. Your furniture’s waxing procedure and tools come with the wax specification. Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application to get a perfect outcome. 

Polishing

Like waxing, polishing enhances shine while protecting your antique cream kitchen cabinets. The polish is specific to antique wood and maintains its luster. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply the polish, and buff the surfaces with a soft cloth to restore the natural sheen. You should have protective gear, including a face mask and gloves. 

Handle Antique Cream Kitchen Cabinets With Care

Your fixtures are durable and long-lasting, but they also require handling with extreme care.

  • Avoid Excessive Force: When you apply pressure and slam the doors or drawers, you weaken the components. Handle your cabinets carefully to prevent undue stress on the hinges, handles, or pulls.
  • Soft-Close Mechanisms: Several soft-close mechanisms come with antique cream cabinets to enhance opening and closing. These include magnetic, hydraulic, and slide-closing systems. These require proper handling and maintenance. For instance, forceful pulling and closing will break the slides and leave them with functional issues. Encourage your household to handle your kitchen cabinets with care.

Protecting Antique Cream Kitchen Cabinets From Sunlight And Moisture

Sunlight and humidity are the number one spoilers for antique kitchen cabinets;

  • Sunlight Protection: Direct sunlight can cause the finish of antique cream cabinets to fade over time. Consider using window treatments or UV-protective film on nearby windows to minimize exposure.
  • Moisture Prevention: You can prevent moisture or water from trickling down your cabinets by avoiding placing the fixtures near sources of excessive moisture, such as sinks or dishwashers. If it is entirely unavoidable, during installation, you can ask your contractor to work on the gradient to ensure that water spills flow back to the sink and into the drain. Also, wipe up any spills or splashes immediately to prevent water damage. If there is a leakage in your kitchen, ask a kitchen plumber to take care of the mess before it damages your kitchen cabinets cream color. Be on the lookout if your kitchen sink smells like rotten eggs. There must be a drainage or leakage issue. 
  • Temperature Control: Heat in the kitchen doesn’t only come from sunlight. Gadgets like ovens, air fryers, toasters, and heaters can cause temperature fluctuations in the kitchen environment. Excessive expansion and contracting can lead to cracking and warping of your cabinets. Also, when you place hot pots on your antique cream colored kitchen cabinets, they can get scorched or fade. So, ensure a temperature-stable environment for your fittings. 

Professional Restoration And Maintenance

Professional restoration is essential when your farmhouse cream kitchen cabinets have scratches, dents, and breakages. It is part of care and maintenance as the experts can repaint and replace broken hinges, slides, drawers, etc. A professional antique furniture restorer or woodworker has the expertise and knowledge to handle delicate restoration work while preserving the cabinet’s original character. 

Periodic Inspection Of Antique Cream Color Cabinets

Regular/periodic inspection of your antique cream kitchen cabinets ensures you identify any signs of wear, loose components, or damage. Once get hold of the malfunctions, you can address the issues promptly and prevent further deterioration. Such examination is crucial to ensure the longevity and beauty of your antique furniture. Follow all the guidelines here to enjoy a timeless appeal and preservation for your cabinets for future generations.

Parting Shot

Antique cream kitchen cabinets can preserve your family’s culture and traditions. The fixtures link to our past, insights, and craftsmanship. Their value and rarity add to your generational wealth. To maintain timeless beauty and aesthetics, you must care for these cabinets.

Regular cleaning, avoiding harsh chemicals, waxing and polishing, handling with care, and protecting them from sunlight and moisture are vital procedures. By following these guidelines, you can prolong the life of your antique while enjoying the elegance and charm that these cabinets bring to your kitchen space for years to come. 

By Shawn Roberts

Shawn Roberts is a renown culinary enthusiast with a deep love for food and cooking. He has decades of experience in the kitchen. In his career, Shawn Roberts shares his expertise, recipes, and insights to inspire and guide you on your own culinary journey. Together with his team of kitchen décor experts, you can make your cooking space a little heaven. Get ready to explore a world of flavors and creativity with Shawn Roberts