Caring for your cabinet hardware

Once you make the investment of installing cabinet hardware, you'll want to keep it looking great for years to come. 

You might be wondering what is the best way to clean your hardware without damaging its surface. We are now also all concerned about the COVID-19 virus. Do you need to sanitize your knobs and pulls to remove the virus? Read on to find out the best ways to clean your hardware to keep it looking great and sparkling clean.

The most standard and typical cleaning recommendation is warm water and a soft cloth. Almost all manufacturers will say to avoid using a harsh cleaner on their hardware as it can ruin the finish. Most manufacturers provide instructions for the preferred method of cleaning their hardware. For example, Schaub and Company suggests only using a soft cloth with warm water. They specifically state to not use cleaners because they can be abrasive and damaging to the finishes. Amerock adds an additional step and suggests that you dry your cabinet hardware right away. Drying will help prevent corrosion damage to the hardware after repetitive cleaning. The type of soft cloth is important too.  An old t-shirt will be a great choice, but a terry cloth is not a recommended fabric as it can be too scratchy. The main thing is to find a material that will not scratch and will be as lint free as possible.  Microfiber cloths are excellent for cleaning cabinet hardware.

At some point, you will need to do a deeper clean of your kitchen and that includes cleaning your cabinet doors and drawers.  There are a few steps you can take to ensure your cabinet hardware does not get damaged during the process. Greasy films and food particles can build up over time and take a little more determination to remove. The best way to protect your hardware is to remove it prior to cleaning your cabinets. Make sure to only use hand tools to uninstall and then re-install the hardware. Please do not use power tools as these can lead to the hardware becoming stripped or damaged. After your cabinets have been cleaned, make sure they are completely dry before reinstalling the hardware. For tips on how to clean your cabinets, check out this article from our friends at Better Homes and Gardens.

We have some good news if you are concerned about the COVID-19 virus on your cabinet hardware. The harsh chemicals needed to disinfect surfaces can ultimately cause damage to your hardware. The best way to avoid having to use chemicals is to wash your hands before touching your cabinet hardware. This may sound tedious, but it will help protect your hardware for years to come. Here is the really good news about most cabinet hardware. Cabinet hardware made from brass and bronze (the metal material and not just the finish) naturally have an antimicrobial surface. This means that this surface inhibits the growth of germs and microorganisms. Zinc hardware also contains some antimicrobial properties. Zinc is also one of the most common metals used in the production of cabinet hardware. Washing your hands prior to grasping your hardware combined with the metal's natural antimicrobial properties should help keep the COVID-19 virus off of your cabinet hardware.

Following these steps will help ensure your cabinet hardware looks just as good down the road as it does today. If you have any questions or would like help finding some new hardware for your home, please feel free to reach out. We would love to help!