How to care for a matte kitchen

Matte kitchen sets with facades made of MDF and plastic are at the height of fashion. In order for the furniture to look like new for many years, it is important to know how to care for a matte kitchen, what cleaning products and items can and should be used, and which ones should absolutely not be used.

There is an opinion that stains, abrasions and damage are more noticeable on glossy surfaces than on matte ones. In part, this is true, but this advantage does not at all exclude timely care of furniture.

General rules for caring for matte kitchens

Greasy deposits on facades, wall panels, and countertops are a mixture of fumes, dust and drops of grease. The less often you wash a matte kitchen, the more difficult the cleaning process is, the more time it takes to restore order. The most important rule comes into play here: the cooking process must be clean!

Think over your personal individual schedule and method of cleaning furniture, taking into account your daily routine, busy schedule, and frequency of cooking;
Carefully read the instructions for caring for the headset. Manufacturers, as a rule, recommend the best option, taking into account the materials and components used;
Test cleaning products on a small area before use;
Wear protective gloves.

Kitchens to order

Pollution prevention

To make the facades “repel” dirt, you can rub them with wax polish. It creates a protective layer on the surface of the furniture, making it easier to keep it clean.

Modular furniture after polishing.

The most difficult thing to regularly care for is modular furniture - a lot of grease, dust and other dirt gets into the cracks between the individual elements, and it is difficult to wash these places. Therefore, it is worth using overlays - connectors for the tabletop. They will protect the side walls of the modules from moisture, dirt, and aggressive chemicals. Of course, if the modular kitchen consists of free-standing parts, then you will just have to regularly wipe the side panels.

How to clean a matte kitchen?

Timely care will require a small investment of time and inexpensive purchases; you will need:

mild detergents that break down fats;
soft cloth napkins (microfiber, flannel);
sponges and disposable paper towels.

When caring for furniture you should not use:

steam cleaners;
accessories and products with abrasive particles containing chlorine, sodium, alkali.

The alcohol solution should be used with caution.

Advantages

Enamel facades have a spectacular, attractive appearance. The coating is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, so such kitchens can be equipped in country houses and sunny rooms facing south. The enamel does not fade and does not lose its brightness and shine.

A large assortment of colors that are used in the manufacture of cladding (it can be monochrome and with complex patterns or designs) will facilitate the choice for a specific stylistic design of the kitchen. It is possible to order a set of various shapes: straight, rounded.

Enamel facades are resistant to high temperatures and humid environments. They have no edge so they look like they are completely covered in enamel. The environmental safety of enamel coating is a significant advantage when choosing cladding for kitchen decoration.

How to clean a matte kitchen

The surfaces of modern kitchen facades are well protected, but require timely and gentle care. To monitor the headset, you will need:

soap, shampoo or gels that gently break down fats;
microfiber, flannel, felt cloths;
soft sponges and disposable paper towels.

Can not use:

scrapers, knives, blades with abrasive inserts, metal brushes;
steam cleaners (suitable for solid wood kitchens);
products containing chlorine, sodium, alkali;
alcohol products (it is allowed to use a weak solution of ethyl alcohol to remove stains and treat plastic facades);
products containing abrasive particles;
home remedies - vinegar, soda, lemon juice (there is a high probability of damage to surfaces if the dosage is incorrect).

Catalog of matte kitchens

How to wash matte kitchens made of MDF in film

Film facades do not tolerate products containing oils and wax. The film loses elasticity and color, swells and peels off. It is recommended to wash matte MDF facades with soap, use an alcohol solution, or silicone-based polishes.

Prepare a mild soap solution and a soft sponge;
To remove stains, add a weak solution of alcohol;
Apply the composition and rinse several times, removing traces of soap;
Wipe the surface dry using a microfiber cloth;
Apply polish for protection.

Kitchens to order

How to wash matte painted MDF kitchens

Experts note that a matte kitchen with painted facades is more practical to maintain than kitchen sets with laminated and varnished components. The paint has high adhesion, but does not tolerate solvents and abrasives.

When dirty, wipe off the dust with a damp cloth and remove greasy stains with mild detergents.

You will not go wrong and will not damage the furniture if you clean matte kitchen facades using a soap solution without adding abrasive particles, silicone polishes for cleaning and protection.

Prepare a soap solution, remove dirt;
Wash several times until the soap marks disappear;
Dry the surface with a fiber cloth or paper towel.

How to clean matte plastic kitchens

To clean plastic facades, it is preferable to choose products that do not contain abrasive particles, acids, or chlorine.

The method of care is delicate, using a soap and alcohol solution to remove greasy stains.

Apply cleaning compound;
Clean the facades from dirt and wipe with a sponge several times until any soap marks disappear;
Wipe the façade dry.

Catalog of matte kitchens

Hydrogen peroxide with water

Hydrogen peroxide is used in the form of an aqueous solution, 1 part peroxide to 2 parts water. This mixture is intended for MDF and chipboard boards. For wooden surfaces it is used only to remove mold. The product not only effectively fights grease and other contaminants, but also helps disinfect surfaces. You can treat contaminated areas with a spray bottle or using a soft rag as they become dirty.

How to remove grease stains

If you cook on the stove, then oil splashes will inevitably fall on the countertop, wall panels and facades. A water solution of liquid detergent helps to clean matte kitchen facades from greasy stains.

Add a few drops of shampoo or gel to a container of water and stir thoroughly;
Apply the composition and see how the stains behave;
Make sure surfaces are clean and dry with a soft cloth.

It's not just grease stains that remain on kitchen furniture. Stains left by:

splashes of water;
tea and coffee;
red wine;
turmeric;
beet and tomato juice;
juices from berries;
tobacco smoke.

Traces are especially noticeable on light-colored facades and countertops; if quickly detected, they can be easily washed off with water. Over time, they eat into the surface, and to remove them requires special means and time. In such cases, it is better and safer to use an alcohol solution.

Removing grease stains and dirt with vinegar solution

A solution of warm water and vinegar in equal proportions is suitable for any surface except natural wood. Warm vinegar water can be applied to the contaminated surface with a sponge or spray bottle. After cleaning the surface from dirt, wipe it with a dampened, then dry soft cloth. You should not clean kitchen furniture more often than once a quarter.

How to clean a matte kitchen from stains

If you choose and use the wrong detergents, you often have to clean a matte kitchen from stains. In this case, you need products that gently but effectively break down fats and do not contain ammonia and acids. For care and protection, you can use silicone-based furniture polishes.

Moisten a soft cloth with a small amount of product;
Clean the facade from dirt and immediately polish it with a dry cloth.

Catalog of matte kitchens

Conclusion

Buying matte kitchen furniture, especially custom-made ones, is an opportunity to decorate the space beautifully and comfortably, taking into account your preferences. Practicality, the ability of furniture to maintain its appearance at minimal cost is an important point that should be paid attention to when developing a design project.

Ask the experts which facades are easier to care for, choose an option based on color, texture - find a solution so that during the most ordinary cleaning it will be easier for you to wash the matte surface of the kitchen unit and easily return it to its proper appearance.

Types and features of coatings

Manufacturers of kitchen sets and countertops successfully combine various materials. Most often it is chipboard or MDF, laminated (painted). Acrylic paint coatings compete with plastic, and decorating with cheap PVC film helps change the appearance beyond recognition. This is how moisture-resistant, durable stone, natural wood, and futuristic slabs are created.

Each material has both strengths and weaknesses. Accordingly, specific cleaning agents are used for them.

Plastic

The use of cheap, durable and unpretentious plastic elements in the manufacture of furniture minimizes the risk of somehow damaging cabinets and cabinets if handled carelessly. Polymers are not afraid of water, can withstand contact with hot dishes, and do not fade. Another advantage of the material is the low weight of plastics: in comparison with metal and wood, they are much lighter, without loss of overall rigidity and reliability.

Dye

The traditional method of processing facades is painting, used to create durable, abrasion-resistant coatings on the surfaces of pressed MDF boards. According to the technology, a paint layer is first applied, and then a varnish is applied (to create a glossy effect). Some difficulties lie in the increased requirements for preparing the base: the absence of potholes, gaps, and roughness. This is ensured by repeated grinding of the material with abrasives and sandpaper.

PVC film

A polymer film applied to the surface of the material by pressing is a budget solution. The consumer can choose white, blue, red, black and other colors to his taste, of which the manufacturer has plenty in stock.

The advantages of the material are wear resistance, strength, and low cost.

But it is better to avoid contact with water - PVC coating is sensitive to it, especially at unprotected joints and edges.

Acrylic

Acrylic materials are polymer materials, which means they are fully endowed with the advantages and disadvantages of plastics. The method of applying a layer of plastic to the main surface is gluing. The coating is durable and easy to maintain.

Painted MDF with varnish

MDF is considered a hygroscopic material; without special protection, the board quickly becomes saturated with moisture and collapses. To do this, it is painted and coated with a special varnish. The coating will protect MDF, but at the same time it is sensitive to abrasives and aggressive compounds.

What kills MDF

In store windows, the shiny surfaces of any, even the cheapest, headset attracts the eye. But it often happens that after a couple of years of use, not a trace remains of its former shine and beauty. And even if the price of the furniture is not too high compared to its solid wood counterpart, this is still no reason to treat it carelessly.

There are several ways to ruin MDF headsets:

use cleaning agents containing alkalis, acids, and solvents. Although MDF is protected by several layers of paint or enamel or PVC film, this coating will quickly lose its original appearance when exposed to certain types of household chemicals;
use abrasive cleaning products - the appearance will suffer, scratches will look especially sloppy on a glossy, shiny surface;

Note! Even wiping the surface of MDF is better with a soft cloth; we immediately exclude scrapers and brushes (even with soft bristles) from our arsenal.

MDF is not 100% protected from moisture. If water gets on the headset, but immediately blot it and wipe the surface dry, then nothing bad will happen. It is much worse if moisture gets into hard-to-reach places, for example, between the kitchen wall and the back wall of furniture. Over time, the material will swell and it will be impossible to restore its former shape;
Even an accidental blow of moderate force can leave a mark on the surface. If the shape of an MDF kitchen set does not fit perfectly into the kitchen space, then marks will most likely appear on the interfering part in the future.

MDF can be easily damaged

Let's protect the beauty of the kitchen - how to maintain MDF kitchen sets

Kitchen furniture made from MDF allows you to kill several birds with one stone - its cost is lower than furniture made from solid wood, the material is quite durable, and the variety of colors will appeal to picky housewives. Well, in order for your favorite headset to please the eye for many years, you need to remember once and for all a few simple rules for its maintenance.

Preserving this beauty is not an easy task

How to polish gloss

To give a glossy shine, the surface is polished after washing. It is better to use wax-free products with an antistatic agent, as they protect cabinets from the accumulation of static electricity and dust deposits.

The most popular polishing products are “Cinderella”, “Pronto”, “Homestar”, “Mebelux”. The selected polish is applied to the washed kitchen unit with a clean microfiber or cotton cloth. After drying, the product is gently rubbed in until shine appears and streaks disappear.

Polishing is the final stage of cleaning

Flaws

Cladding MDF facades with enamel has some disadvantages. First of all, this is the high cost, which is due to complex manufacturing technology. The remaining disadvantages of this coating are associated with errors in operation and maintenance.

If used carelessly, chips and cracks may appear on the furniture, which then cannot be restored. Fingerprints, drops of grease and water, and streaks may remain on the lining. They are especially visible on a glossy surface, so the enamel coating requires regular and careful maintenance.