Pallet wood is popular among homeowners for DIY projects. Pallets are really easy to work with and can be found just about everywhere.
While pallets are useful just about everywhere, their usage in the kitchen is another story. One that we will discuss today. One of the most common ways people use pallets in the kitchen is in the form of cabinets. While there are a lot of factors which are considered while selecting kitchen cabinets, one that is most commonly considered is whether the cabinets are reasonable, long lasting, and easily maintainable. Luckily pallet cabinets check all these three boxes.
BUT, cleaning and maintaining them can be a tad bit tricky!
Normally for house furniture or outside furniture people prefer taking the pallets apart for cleaning them with high-pressure cleaner, but for cleaning and maintaining your kitchen cabinets, you can use these methods and keep your pallet wood cabinets preserved for long:
1. Use Dish Detergent
One of the easiest ways to clean pallet wood cabinets is by using a mild detergent. You can simply wipe them with a wet cloth and then wipe it immediately after with the dry one.
Another good practice is to use natural and organic products. For example, you can also use lime juice or olive oil which will leave you with a refreshing smell and natural polish. This will help keep the cabinet clean without getting damaged with harsh products.
2. Oil the Pallets
If you want to maintain and preserve your furniture for a long time, you can always rely on the power of oil.
It is common to oil furniture like chairs and benches to give them a new look and make them look less worn out. Oiling your cabinets will enhance their resistance to grease and moisture which is easily found in kitchens. Keep in mind to use pallet friendly non toxic material for cleaning. You can use nontoxic oils like food-grade mineral oil to keep things healthy. Oiling will give your pallet cabinets a very fresh look and preserve them over a longer period of time against the harsh environment of the kitchen.
3. Keep the Dust Away
A downside to using pallet wood for making kitchen cabinets is that it is high maintenance. You will need to clean it regularly to keep the dust away because dust can also damage the look of the cabinets. Pallets can easily accumulate dust and as boring as it may sound you will need to dust them off on a frequent basis. If the dust accumulates on the pallets, it will scratch the surface of the wood. You can use lambswool dusters or soft clothes like cotton or microfibers that won’t scratch the wood while cleaning for this purpose.
4. Cover Scratches Immediately
Scratches are really harmful for pallet wood cabinets because they will accumulate dust, grease, bacteria, and moisture very quickly which are all very damaging to the cabinets. If you see any scratches forming on the wood surface, cover them immediately by using wood polish. Using wood polish will give you a protective layer over the wood surface to prevent any scratches or other harmful materials from accumulating on the surface. But if the scratches are too prominent to go away using polish you can also use paint. Painting the cabinets will give them an entirely new look and make them look fresh while protecting them against damage as well. This way you can make your pallet wood cabinets last longer.
5. Wax the Wood
Waxing furniture is a common practice for preserving it over longer terms and making it look fresh. It is usually used to seal the paint and popularly used for cabinets. Make sure to clean your cabinets first using fine wool and then apply the wax with minimum pressure. One of the advantages of waxing it is that it can be reapplied whenever necessary and does not require any expertise.
Pallet wood cabinets are high maintenance and need frequent cleaning in order to avoid damage. It is important to clean and treat pallet wood for indoor use and you can use these simple tricks to clean and maintain your pallet wood cabinets to keep it good and fresh for a long time!