A German kitchen is designed for everyday use, but even well-made furniture and appliances need appropriate care. Cooking grease, water, steam and unsuitable cleaning products can gradually affect cabinet fronts, worktops and fittings if they are allowed to build up.
Fortunately, maintaining a kitchen does not need to involve a complicated routine. Regular gentle cleaning, dealing with spills promptly and following the instructions supplied with each material will help protect the room without causing unnecessary damage.
The correct method will depend on the cabinet finish, worktop and appliances in your kitchen. Always prioritise the care guidance supplied by the relevant manufacturer where it differs from general advice.
Keep Your Kitchen Care Information
When a new kitchen is installed, keep the operating manuals, warranty documents and care instructions in a safe place. These contain information specific to the exact furniture, appliances, worktops, sinks and taps in your room.
It is useful to record:
- The kitchen furniture manufacturer and door finish
- The name and colour of the worktop material
- Model numbers for each appliance
- Warranty registration details
- Recommended cleaning products
- Replacement filter and accessory information
- Contact details for the kitchen supplier and appliance manufacturers
A cleaning method that is safe for one surface may damage another. Knowing exactly what has been installed makes it much easier to find accurate guidance later.
Clean Cabinet Fronts Gently
For routine cleaning, cabinet fronts will normally need little more than a soft, clean cloth or sponge and a small amount of mild, water-soluble cleaner intended for kitchen furniture.
Remove grease and splashes before they dry, then wipe the surface gently rather than scrubbing it. Use a separate clean cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
Avoid using:
- Scouring powders and abrasive creams
- Steel wool or rough cleaning pads
- Solvents such as acetone
- Furniture polish containing silicone
- Strong acidic or alkaline cleaners
- Steam-cleaning equipment
Some high-gloss, lacquered and super-matt finishes have their own requirements. Even certain cloths can mark a sensitive surface if they are dirty, coarse or used with too much pressure. Test any unfamiliar cleaner on a small concealed area first.
Cleaning High-Gloss Cabinetry
High-gloss doors can show fingerprints and smears more readily than textured finishes. Use a clean, non-abrasive cloth and wipe without applying excessive pressure.
Do not try to polish out a mark with a dry abrasive cloth. This can alter the sheen and leave a patch that looks different under direct light.
Cleaning Matt Cabinetry
Matt and anti-fingerprint finishes are designed to reduce visible marks, but they still need regular cleaning. Grease should not be left to build up, particularly around handles, integrated grip rails and cooking areas.
Use the cleaning method recommended for the exact door material. Strong degreasers can affect the finish even when the surface initially appears undamaged.
Cleaning Wood And Veneer
Wood and veneered fronts should be wiped in the direction of the grain using minimal moisture. Dry the surface afterwards and avoid allowing water to remain around edges or joints.
Do not assume that household wood polish is appropriate for kitchen cabinetry. Use only a product approved for the particular finish.
Pay Attention To Handles And Grip Rails
Handles and handleless grip areas are touched repeatedly, so grease and residue can collect more quickly than on the rest of the door.
Wipe handles with a soft damp cloth and dry them afterwards. Avoid spraying cleaner directly onto the handle because liquid can travel into screw holes, joints or the edges of the cabinet front.
With true handleless furniture, regularly clean the recessed rail or channel. Crumbs and dust can settle inside these areas even though the kitchen appears smooth from the front.
Protect Cabinetry From Water And Steam
Water should be wiped away promptly, particularly around the sink, dishwasher, kettle, coffee machine and any cabinet joints.
Pay attention to:
- Water collecting along the bottom edge of sink doors
- Wet cloths or towels hanging over cabinet fronts
- Steam escaping from kettles beneath wall cabinets
- Small leaks inside the sink cabinet
- Condensation around integrated appliances
- Water running beneath worktop appliances
Position kettles and steam-producing appliances so vapour does not repeatedly rise against the underside of a wall cabinet. Follow the appliance manufacturer’s clearance and ventilation instructions.
If a dishwasher has just completed a cycle, use it according to its operating manual. Do not routinely leave the door partly open if doing so directs hot steam onto the neighbouring cabinet fronts or worktop edges.
Care For Your Kitchen Worktop
Worktop care varies considerably between laminate, solid surface, quartz, ceramic, sintered stone and natural stone. The safest approach is to follow the guidance provided for the exact product.
Several everyday habits will help protect most worktops:
- Use a chopping board rather than cutting directly on the surface
- Place hot cookware on a suitable trivet
- Wipe spills away before they dry
- Do not sit or stand on the worktop
- Avoid dragging rough cookware across the surface
- Keep joints and cut-outs around sinks dry
Even materials described as heat-resistant or scratch-resistant are not necessarily heatproof or scratch-proof. Sudden temperature changes and concentrated heat from pans, oven trays or small appliances can still cause damage.
Laminate Worktops
Laminate worktops are generally straightforward to clean with a soft cloth and mild cleaner. Their vulnerable areas are usually joints, edges and cut-outs where prolonged exposure to water can affect the material beneath the decorative surface.
Deal with water around the sink promptly and avoid placing very hot items directly onto the worktop.
Quartz And Natural Stone
Quartz and natural stone should be cleaned with products suitable for the specific surface. Avoid assuming that strong disinfectants, bleach or acidic household remedies are safe.
Some natural stones are porous and may require sealing. Quartz contains resin and can be affected by high temperatures, so both materials should still be protected with trivets and chopping boards.
Solid Surface Worktops
Solid surface materials are non-porous and many minor marks can be professionally refinished. However, they can still be scratched or damaged by direct heat.
Use a chopping board and trivet, and speak to the supplier before attempting to sand or repair a damaged area yourself.
Our kitchen worktop guide explains more about the different materials available and the points to consider when choosing one.
Look After Ovens And Hobs
Clean cooking appliances often enough to prevent grease and food residue from becoming heavily baked onto the surface.
For ovens, follow the instructions for the specific cleaning system. Pyrolytic, catalytic, steam-assisted and manually cleaned ovens each need to be treated differently. Remove trays and accessories where instructed before starting an automatic programme.
For induction and ceramic hobs:
- Allow the surface to cool before routine cleaning
- Use a cleaner intended for glass-ceramic hobs
- Remove burnt residue with an approved hob scraper
- Avoid knives, wire wool and abrasive pads
- Lift cookware rather than dragging it across the glass
Gas hobs require additional attention around pan supports, burner caps and ignition points. Make sure all components are dry and correctly repositioned before using the appliance again.
Cleaning A BORA Extractor Hob
On compatible BORA systems, removable grease-filter components can be taken out from above and cleaned in a dishwasher. The activated charcoal filter used in a recirculating system cannot be washed and must be replaced when required.
Cleaning intervals and dishwasher temperature limits vary between models, so use the instructions for your particular appliance rather than relying on a general schedule.
Maintain Your Dishwasher
Remove food caught in the dishwasher filter and rinse the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the spray arms can rotate freely and that their outlets are not blocked.
Use the appliance’s machine-care programme and an approved dishwasher cleaner where recommended. Avoid pouring vinegar, bleach or other household cleaning products into the machine unless the manufacturer specifically states that they are suitable for that model.
Regularly wipe the door edges and seals, and remove any debris that could prevent the dishwasher from closing properly. If the machine smells unpleasant after cleaning, drains slowly or repeatedly displays an error, consult its manual or arrange appropriate servicing.
Clean Fridges And Freezers Safely
Remove expired food and wipe spills before they dry. Shelves, drawers and internal compartments should be cleaned using the method set out in the appliance manual.
General maintenance includes:
- Keeping door seals clean and free from debris
- Checking that food is not preventing the door from closing
- Leaving ventilation openings unobstructed
- Replacing air or carbon filters where fitted
- Defrosting manual-defrost models when necessary
Do not use knives or sharp metal tools to remove ice. Modern integrated appliances also differ in where their cooling components are located, so do not attempt to access or clean condenser parts unless the manual provides clear instructions.
Clean Extractors And Ventilation Filters
Grease filters lose effectiveness when they become heavily coated. How often they need cleaning will depend on how frequently and intensively the kitchen is used.
Metal grease filters may be suitable for cleaning by hand or in a dishwasher, but check the appliance instructions first. Recirculating extractors may also contain activated charcoal filters that need periodic replacement rather than washing.
Keep the extractor running while producing significant steam or frying, and use an appropriate setting for the amount of cooking taking place. Effective ventilation helps manage moisture, grease and cooking smells throughout the room.
You can find further information about the brands supplied by Create German Kitchens on the kitchen appliances page.
Check Sinks And Taps For Leaks
Inspect the sink cabinet occasionally for drips, dampness or staining. A small leak can remain hidden behind bins and cleaning products long enough to damage the cabinet base.
Check around:
- Tap connections
- Sink waste fittings
- Dishwasher hoses
- Water-filter systems
- Boiling-water tap tanks
Clean the sink and tap with products suitable for their material and finish. Limescale removers that are appropriate for one tap may damage another, particularly specialist metallic or coloured finishes.
Do not ignore swelling, a persistent musty smell or recurring moisture inside the cabinet. Locate the source of the water and arrange a repair rather than simply drying the visible area.
Do Not Adjust Furniture Without Guidance
Drawer runners and concealed hinges may occasionally need adjustment, particularly after a kitchen has settled or a heavily loaded door has moved slightly.
Do not routinely spray lubricant onto runners or hinges. Modern fittings use different mechanisms, and the wrong product can attract dust, affect dampers or interfere with soft-close components.
If a door rubs, a drawer no longer closes correctly or a hinge becomes loose, contact the kitchen supplier or consult the relevant adjustment instructions. Continuing to force the furniture can worsen the problem.
It is also important not to overload shelves, drawers and pull-out units. Observe any weight limits supplied with the furniture, and distribute heavy cookware evenly.
Deal With Damage Early
Small problems are often easier to resolve when they are reported promptly. Contact the supplier if you notice:
- Swelling around a cabinet edge or joint
- A loose door, drawer front or handle
- A worktop joint beginning to open
- Cracks, chips or heat damage
- An appliance leaking into the cabinetry
- Extraction performance becoming noticeably weaker
- Lighting or electrical components behaving unusually
Avoid applying adhesive, filler, paint or abrasive refinishing products before asking for advice. An attempted repair can make professional correction more difficult and may affect the applicable warranty.
A Simple Kitchen Maintenance Routine
Most kitchen care can be handled through a straightforward routine:
After Cooking
- Wipe up water, grease and food spills
- Clean the hob once it is safe to do so
- Dry wet areas around the sink
- Run extraction when needed
Every Week
- Wipe cabinet fronts, handles and grip rails
- Check the sink cabinet for moisture
- Clean frequently touched appliance surfaces
- Inspect extractor components where required
Periodically
- Clean appliance filters and internal components according to their manuals
- Check door seals and ventilation openings
- Look for loose handles or changes in door alignment
- Replace filters when the appliance indicates that they are due
- Review warranties and service requirements
A little regular attention is usually more effective than relying on occasional intensive cleaning with stronger products.
Ask Before Using An Unfamiliar Product
Your kitchen may contain several materials that require different care, even when they appear similar. Cabinet fronts, worktops, sinks, taps and appliances should therefore not all be cleaned with one universal product unless it has been confirmed as suitable.
Create German Kitchens supplies furniture from Nobilia, Schüller and next125 alongside a range of worktops and appliances. You can view examples of these finishes in the company’s completed kitchen projects.
If you are uncertain about the correct care for a kitchen supplied by the company, contact the team with details of the material or appliance before attempting a repair or using a strong cleaning product.