Congratulations on your newly refinished cabinets! At Willow & Wick Cabinet Coatings, we use industrial-grade, low VOC water-based lacquer applied via 100% spray — one of the most durable finishes available for kitchen cabinetry. But like any quality finish, it performs best when properly cared for.
Whether you are in Mansfield, Columbus, Lexington, Ontario, Delaware, Dublin, or Powell, Ohio, this guide covers everything you need to know to keep your cabinets looking beautiful for years to come. We leave a printed version of this guide with every client at the end of their project — and we are sharing it here so it is always easy to reference.
Immediate Care: How to Handle Newly Refinished Surfaces
Curing Time
Your kitchen and project area is usable immediately after our team completes the project — however, the finish will continue to cure to its maximum durability over the next 7-10 days. During this curing period, limit cleaning to wiping with a soft rag and warm water only. Avoid any chemical cleaners, handle cabinet doors and drawers gently, and do not hang anything on cabinet doors or drawers.
Interior Shelves and Cabinets
If Willow & Wick refinished the interior cabinet boxes and/or shelving, we recommend waiting 10 full days before placing anything back inside the cabinets or on the shelves. This allows those surfaces to fully cure before being exposed to the weight and contact of stored items.
Lifetime Care: Daily Use and Cleaning
Cleaning Your Refinished Cabinets
The best practice is to wipe spills and stains immediately — this typically allows you to clean with just warm water and a soft rag without the need for any cleaning products at all. When a cleaner is needed, use only products that are specifically formulated for painted surfaces or cabinetry. We recommend Branch Basic, Seven, or other natural cleaners sprayed onto a soft microfiber rag or kitchen towel.
Products to NEVER Use on Refinished Cabinets
The following products will damage your cabinet finish over time and should never be used:
- Windex or any ammonia-based cleaners
- Dawn Powerwash or any denatured alcohol-based cleaners
- Magic Erasers
- Scrub pads or abrasive scrubbers of any kind
- Bleach-based cleaners
- Harsh multi-surface sprays not rated for painted cabinetry
Important: If you use a cleaning or housekeeping service, be sure to inform them of these requirements. Many standard cleaning products used by housekeeping services can damage a refinished cabinet finish over time.
Stains
While staining is rare with our industrial-grade lacquer finish, extended contact with highly acidic or deeply pigmented spices, foods, and beverages is something to be mindful of. Wipe up spills from things like red wine, tomato sauce, turmeric, and coffee as quickly as possible.
Moisture and Heat: Protecting Your Finish
Moisture and heat are the two biggest environmental threats to a refinished cabinet finish. Here is how to protect your investment:
- Do not hang dish towels over cabinet doors — prolonged moisture contact will damage the finish
- Wipe up water around the sink and garbage areas promptly — do not allow water to sit on the edges or tops of cabinet doors and drawers
- Ventilate heat-producing appliances properly — dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, air fryers, and coffee pots all produce heat and steam that can affect your cabinet finish
- Pull appliances out from cupboards during use when possible, and ensure your kitchen ventilation is in proper working condition
Humidity: Understanding Wood Movement
Wood surfaces will always expand and contract with changes in humidity — this is a natural characteristic of wood, not a defect in the finish. Typically this movement is minimal and has no noticeable effect on your refinished surfaces. However, when significant dimensional changes occur, you may notice a joinery line appearing where a stile and rail meet on a cabinet door, or door center panels contracting in dry winter air and exposing a thin line next to the stile until moisture is restored.
The most important thing you can do is stabilize the humidity in your home year-round. Willow & Wick recommends maintaining a relative humidity of 30% to 55% in your home. Use a humidifier in winter — Ohio heating systems dry out the air significantly. Use air conditioning in summer, and consider a dehumidifier during particularly humid Ohio summers. A whole-home humidistat can help you monitor and maintain consistent levels year-round.
Your Willow and Wick One-Year Workmanship Warranty
Willow & Wick Cabinet Coatings warrants to the original consumer that for ONE YEAR the work done on cabinetry by Willow & Wick will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal circumstances.
Should any defects in material or workmanship exist during the applicable warranty period, we will elect to either repair or replace the defective material or workmanship at our discretion. This warranty covers only work performed by Willow & Wick.
This warranty shall become void if the cabinets are in any way modified, improperly installed, or damaged prior to or after the service. This warranty will not apply to cabinets damaged by misuse, pets, neglect, abuse, acts of God, exposure to moisture or extreme temperatures, or normal incidental deterioration such as scratches, abrasions, and natural fading resulting from normal wear or abnormal use.
How to Submit a Warranty Claim
- Step 1: Email or text photos and descriptions of the areas of concern to our team at info@willowandwick.com or (419) 982-2209
- Step 2: Scheduling repairs for warranty work is subject to our availability and may take 4-8 weeks to schedule. Severity and level of inconvenience will be taken into consideration — if a more immediate repair is needed, we will do our best to accommodate.
Quick Reference: Cabinet Care Dos and Don’ts
| DO | DO NOT |
|---|---|
| Wipe spills immediately with a soft cloth | Use Windex or ammonia-based cleaners |
| Use natural cleaners like Branch Basic or Seven | Use Dawn Powerwash or alcohol-based cleaners |
| Use soft microfiber rags | Use Magic Erasers or abrasive scrubbers |
| Maintain 30-55% relative humidity | Hang wet dish towels on cabinet doors |
| Ventilate heat-producing appliances | Allow water to sit on cabinet edges |
| Wait 7-10 days before using chemical cleaners | Place items in interior shelves within 10 days of refinishing |
| Inform housekeeping services of care requirements | Use bleach or harsh multi-surface sprays |
Questions? We Are Always Here.
At Willow & Wick Cabinet Coatings, our relationship with our clients does not end on install day. If you ever have questions about caring for your cabinets, a warranty concern, or you are ready for another transformation, we are just a call or text away.
Proudly serving Mansfield, Lexington, Ontario, Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, Powell, and all of North Central Ohio.
Call or text: (419) 982-2209 | Email: info@willowandwick.com | www.willowandwick.com
