Craftsmanship

Bella Kitchens Inc. strives to provide our clients with a lifetime of use and satisfaction. In doing so, we advise proper care and preservation of your cabinetry in order to maintain the durability and beauty of our millwork. Proper care entails regular cleaning and polishing, as well as refraining from using cleaning products that may damage your cabinetry. Wood is a natural and organic product. Therefore, each species of wood is inherently different due to the diverse tree growth patterns, forest growing conditions and the complex orientations of the wood cells. As a result of variation in the wood, the distinct appearance and beauty of the wood differs in the color, luster, texture and grain. In order to compliment the natural character and luster of the wood, we first apply and then hand wipe our stains accordingly.

Begin by wiping the cabinets clean with a soft, damp cloth. Promptly after wiping the cabinets clean, dry the surface with an additional clean, dry, soft cloth. Take care to wipe in the direction of the wood grain. Next, apply a thin coat of a high-quality polish that does not contain silicone or wax and apply according to the product manufacturer’s directions. Using a high-quality polish will not only protect the wood against minor abrasions or stains but will also minimize any excessive moisture.

Due to the types of activities that take place in a kitchen and the frequency with which the kitchen space kitchen is generally used, it is inevitable that with time, grease and grime will accumulate in the kitchen space and on the cabinet surfaces. Consequently, this buildup may result in streaked surfaces or a dull appearance of your beautiful cabinetry. To remove buildup, we suggest wiping down the cabinets in the direction of the grain of the wood, using a soft cloth that is dampened with warm water. This is generally advised to be done at least once every two weeks. However, you should adjust your cleaning schedule depending on the amount and frequency of activity that takes place in each individual kitchen. In the event that water alone does remove the buildup completely, it is acceptable to use mild dishwasher soap with water on a soft cloth to further clean your cabinetry. A mixture of warm water and vinegar on a soft cloth may also be used to remove stains or built up grime on your cabinetry. To remove any residual moisture that may be left on your cabinets, wipe the surface once again using a dry, soft cloth.

The following products and ingredients may result in or contribute to the damage of your cabinets. Avoid using any product listed and/or any product that contains the mentioned ingredients to clean your cabinetry:

• Petroleum-based products
• Solvents
• Bleach
• Strong detergents and soaps
• Nail polish remover
• Paint thinners
• Plastic brushes
• Steel wool
• Scoring Pad
• Ammonia

In order to maintain the beauty of your kitchen and cabinets we generally provide our clients with touch-up kits. Touch-up kits are also provided for the purposes of repairing nicks and scratches in the event that they may occur. Kindly inquire with our showroom representatives to obtain one if you have recently remodelled your kitchen with Bella Kitchens Inc. and did not receive one.

Many substances have the ability to stain or cause other damage upon prolonged contact with your cabinetry. In the event of a spill, wipe or blot the surface immediately using a damp cloth or sponge. After the substance is completely removed, dry the surface with a soft cloth in order to prevent further moisture or damage.

Cabinetry that is located near sinks, dishwashers and baseboards are more susceptible to excessive moisture and potential water damage. To prevent excessive moisture or water damage from occurring, immediately dry off areas where water or liquid has spilled. Additionally, avoid placing wet items or steam vents in direct contact with cabinet surfaces to further protect and maintain your cabinetry.

Extreme temperatures and humidity can have significant impacts on the overall moisture content of any products that are made from wood. This is due to the fact that wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning that it is constantly reacting to environmental climate change by absorbing and releasing moisture. In order to avoid possible damages of your cabinetry from occurring, it is crucial to understand how temperature, relative humidity and wood moisture content may affect your cabinetry. Prolonged exposures of wood to extreme temperatures and humidity may result in wood expansion, contraction, swelling, warping and/or drying out. Therefore, it is important to control and monitor the temperatures and humidity levels of the space where the cabinetry is placed in order to preserve the materials quality and appearance.

One of the most destructive variables to materials made from wood is direct exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight are responsible for most damages to exposed wood or cabinetry. When in direct contact, UV light has the ability to change or damage the wood’s lignin, a component of wood that hardens and strengthens the cell walls. Use of window coverings can help in reducing or avoiding possible damages caused by direct exposure to sunlight.

Harsh cleaners and most common self-polishing waxes can damage the finish of your cabinetry. We suggest avoiding cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, citric acid (including orange and lemon oil) and organic solvents. Further, we advise using only high-quality cream furniture polishes on your cabinetry.

Certain plastic or rubber objects may react negatively with wood countertops or cabinetry. It is recommended to use either a felt or soft cloth under these materials to protect the wood and its finishing.

• Avoid aggressive acids
• Avoid products containing aggressive acids or abrasives as they may cause damage to laminate finishes
• Avoid chips and scratches
• Avoid abrasive cleansers and cleaning tools. Certain “stiff” paper towels may cause miniscule scratches to occur that dull the surface
• Fine scratches may be covered with a light spray furniture polish.