How to Care & Maintain your Kitchen & Bath Products

We will cover the following materials in your kitchen & bathroom. When in doubt, please check with your manufacturer, fabricator or dealer.

Cabinetry - Wood, MDF, Acrylic
Wood - Countertops, Floors
Marble - Backsplash, Countertops, Floors
Solid Surface - Such as Cambria
Natural Stone - Granite, Limestone, etc..
Ceramic Tile - Floors , Walls, Backsplash
Porcelain Tile - Floors, Backsplash
Stainless Steel
BathTub/Shower

Cabinetry Care & Maintenance:

The information below is about RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry but the advice can be used for most brands.

To give your cabinetry the good care it deserves requires only minor attention. The instructions listed below are considered normal maintenance for Rutt’s wood stained and painted finishes.

Wood & Finish Care: Regular maintenance should consist of a weekly dusting with a damp cloth and the daily removal of soil and grease around the cooking area. Use a fresh solution of mild soap and warm water, followed by a clean water rinse. For cleaning and rinsing use a soft cloth that is damp but not dripping wet, so excess water does not accumulate in corners. Use a soft towel to completely dry the surfaces of your cabinetry. Do not use an abrasive sponge, cleaners containing abrasive materials, harsh detergents, ammonia solutions, polishes, oils, waxes or oil soaps. Use of these types of materials and/or cleaners may void the warranty. If a more thorough cleaning is required Rutt recommends Guardsman® Anytime Clean & Polish and Guardsman® Deep Clean Purifying Wood Cleaner to safely and effectively remove kitchen grease, cooking oils, smoke film, and several kinds of stains. These products can be purchased at www.guardsman.com.

Cutting Board Care: If your cabinetry included a hardwood cutting board or chopping block, it was treated with an environmentally safe, non-toxic, salad bowl finish approved by the Food and Drug Administration. During use, we suggest you rinse it with clean water and occasionally apply a light coat of cooking oil to maintain a moisture barrier to the wood.

Acrylic Finish Care: Your Rutt cabinetry featuring a high gloss acrylic finish has been finished with one of our products that is the result of the latest technology and our approach to contemporary lifestyle solutions. Cared for properly, this finish will remain beautiful and functional for many years. For everyday cleaning, use a soft cloth slightly dampened with a mild detergent. A more thorough cleaning may be achieved using a soft cloth dampened with a polish that does not contain wax. Never use any strong, abrasive cleaners or stiff paper towels on acrylic gloss finishes, as they will scratch the surface. Ammonia or alcohol based cleaners are not recommended. Use of ammonia-based products and silicone oils may damage the finish if used over a long period of time.

Wood Countertops & Floors

Countertops & Butcher Blocks

Wood is a natural material that responds to changes in temperature and humidity. These changes set up tremendous internal forces in wood countertops. Their shape and dimensions will change slightly with the seasons. Make sure to follow the Wood Countertop Installation when permanently installing a butcher block countertop. Keep your wood countertop dry, away from direct heat, and maintain it according to the directions below. Please click below for care instructions. This info from Grothouse is good advice for most brands.

http://www.glumber.com/wood-countertop-care/

Wood Floors

How are polyurethane or other surface finishes maintained?

Harsh cleansers can damage the boards. Don’t even mention moving day—improperly moved furniture accounts for plenty of the damage hardwood floors can sustain. Having a regular maintenance routine is key. Keep your wood floors clean by vacuuming them regularly with the hardwood attachments of your vacuum. Eliminating excess dust and dirt will keep you one step ahead. Then, use the mildest cleaning solution recommended for your floor type with a mop or rag that is just barely damp. Remember, water is a wood floor’s worst enemy. Make sure any moisture you apply is dried immediately and completely. Never wax a surface-finished floor, and never use vinyl or tile floor care products on any wood floor. Click on the (2) links below for more information.

http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/11-tried-and-true-ways-to-care-for-hardwood-floors-47149#.VrY_xRgrKUk

http://woodfloors.org/care-maitenance.aspx

Caring for Marble

Marble needs to be handled with care to maintain its appearance. For routine cleaning, sponge marble with warm water and a mild, neutral detergent. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Wipe spills promptly; acids in alcohol and fruit juices are particularly damaging. Marble often comes with a protective sealer that helps prevent staining; reapply coating (available at hardware stores) once a year. For tough stains, try a poultice treatment (also available at hardware stores); reseal the stone afterward.

Maintaining Solid Surface such as Cambria is easy. Simply wash with a soft cotton cloth and warm water, and mild soap if desired.

DO NOT expose, in use or otherwise, Cambria to abrasive or strong alkaline or acid or free radicals or oxidizers or the like (whether high, neutral or low pH) cleaners. Various chemicals are corrosive and/or erosive in their ability to attack any structure including Cambria. Be very aware of these potential damages to your surface. Cambria IS NOT heat proof, chemical proof or fracture proof in any form. Be aware of damaging exposure to these potential damaging acts upon your Cambria. Click the link to read more...

http://www.cambriausa.com/Customer-Care/care-and-maintenance/

Natural Stone - Including Granite

Get to know your stone. The first step in proper stone care & maintenance is to understand your stone's geological classification and composition.

To get the longest life and preserve the beauty of your natural stone, follow these simple tips:

Coasters: Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices.
Trivets: While many stones can withstand heat, the use of trivets or mats is recommended.
Dust Mopping: Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit are abrasive and can damage natural stone.
Mats/rugs: Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that may scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a slip resistant surface.
Vacuum cleaners: If used, be sure the metal or plastic attachments or the wheels are not worn as they can scratch the surface of some stones.
Spills: Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don't wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Flush the area with water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.

Cleaning:

Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water.
Similar to any item cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.

Click below for more information:

http://www.marble-institute.com/consumers/care/

http://www.marble-institute.com/consumers/stains/

Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors & Walls & Backsplash

Sweep or vacuum your glazed tile floors regularly to keep them from getting dull. Tiles may be resistant to dirt, but sand and grit can dull glazed surfaces. Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water, using a rag or chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. The latter pushes dirty water into grout lines and makes them harder to clean. Be sure to change the water frequently while mopping; dirty water equals a cloudy floor.

Get Rid of Tile Residue

If your tiles look hazy, you might be dealing with soapy residue. Remove the film with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. You could also try a mild acid -- such as fresh lemon juice -- on ceramic tiles (but never on marble). Rinse thoroughly with clean water, and buff dry with a clean lint-free cloth. Be kind to your knees and dry tiles the easy way: by using your foot to slide the cloth over the floor.

Beautiful Looking Grout

The secret to a great looking tile floor is clean grout. Grout is porous and absorbs grease and other products. If you have mildew and stains, avoid harsh products like bleach, which can strip grout of its color. Instead, clean the grout with a paste of baking soda and water. Let it sit overnight. Scrub the stain the next day with a stiff nylon brush (never a metal brush since it will damage the grout). Next, soak a microfiber cloth in a mixture of water and mild dishwashing liquid. Wring out the cloth & wipe down. Apply a silicone-base sealer to the grout to resist future stains.

For more info on how to remove stains, visit the link below:

http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/tile-stain-removal-guide/

How To: Clean Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile consistently ranks as a preferred flooring of choice among homeowners, partly due to its beauty—the material comes in a veritable rainbow of hues—and partly due to its stain- and moisture-resistance. Though it loses luster over time, porcelain tile can be easily cleaned and restored to its original shine.

Cleaning Unpolished/Unglazed Porcelain Tile. Cleaning Polished/Glazed Porcelain Tile. Cleaning Textured Porcelain Tile

A beautiful and extremely durable flooring option, porcelain tile will retain its sparkling finish for years—so long as it's cleaned regularly and appropriately. Here's how.

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-porcelain-tile/#.VrUc5NIrKUk

How to Clean Stainless Steel

Gleaming and shiny, stainless steel brings a bright and polished air to any kitchen. Keeping that brilliant sheen, however, takes a little bit of work… and some very specific cleaning products.

The first thing to consider when you set out to clean stainless steel appliances, sinks, and countertops is what not to do. Some popular cleaning products will damage the finish on stainless steel, and even plain water can leave unsightly marks and spots if not used properly. Despite its name, stainless steel can and does stain. So first and foremost, for clean stainless steel surfaces, these are products and techniques to avoid: Click the links below to learn more from three experts.

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stainless-steel/#.VrZJIBgrKUk

http://www.marthastewart.com/995514/how-clean-stainless-steel-appliances

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25160/cleaning-stainless-steel/