At Elmwood Kitchens, our craftsmen use only the finest components and finishes available to us. The following is a guide so that you may maintain the original look of your cabinetry for many years to come.

We have 3 standard sheens (or glosses) available to you, Low sheen, medium sheen and high gloss. Each finish has different characteristics: Low sheen or "Satin" finishes should never be rubbed or scrubbed in a particular spot as this may increase the luster and show an uneven shiny area. Likewise, high gloss finishes should never be scrubbed because the high sheen shows all surface scratches.

General cleaning should be done using only water, a mild liquid dish soap such as ivory and a soft clean cloth. Followed by a non-wax product such as Cabinet Magic (available through your local retailers).

Avoid using the following products:
• Spic & Span, which contains abrasives Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Silicate.
• Tilex, which contains Sodium Hypochlorite.
• Comet, which contains abrasives Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate.
• Chlorine Bleach, which contains Sodium Hypochlorite.
• Hand Washing Liquid, which contains AlphaSulfo Methyl Ester and Sodium Laureth Sulphate.
• Glass Cleaner such as Windex, which contains Isopropanol, Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid Propylene


Avoid bumping or hitting the finished surfaces, since this can produce a permanent indentation or cut. In the event of this type of abuse, minor surface scratches can sometimes be repaired depending upon the severity of the damage.

We recommend using a certified furniture refinisher or sometimes referred to as a cabinet doctor. Repair kits are available for most Elmwood finishes from your local dealer or paint supply store. We recommend the use of Mohawk brand touch up kits.

• Avoid exposure of finished cabinet components to high heat. When broiling with the oven door open, or using the self clean cycle of your oven, open the doors and drawers of adjacent cabinets to minimize exposure to high heat.
• Be aware of countertop appliances such as boilers, vegetable steamers, toasters, toaster ovens, tea kettles etc., that create high heat and or high moisture. Turn a tea kettle in toward the hood fan as opposed to facing a cabinet end panel. Pull coffee makers in front of upper cabinets so steam will rise in front of the cabinet door instead of concentrating under the light valance. When deep frying, place deep fryers under the hood fan and turn unit on to minimize grease on the doors above.
• Be aware of candles or intense light fixtures located close to finished surfaces as these may discolour the finished surface. Be aware of strong light patterns such as blinds or items being placed on finished surfaces (children's art work etc.) as wood naturally "warms" with time, due to exposure to light, and this may produce an unwanted fading pattern. • Decorative surface hardware (door pulls, knobs etc.) should be cared for in the same manner as above, cleaning should be done using a mild dish soap and water only.