How to clean your California Closets system: cleaning products and tips
Our systems are designed to endure for years, with a little regular upkeep and the right cleaning products.
To help your system stay as beautiful as the day it was installed, please follow these care guidelines.
When it comes to general upkeep, a mild, non-oily cleanser (such as Method® or Green Works®) will easily remove most dust, fingerprints,
and smudges from your system’s surfaces. After cleaning, be sure to thoroughly rinse all surfaces with a clean, slightly damp cloth, and then dry with a soft, clean cloth. This crucial step is the most important: standing moisture is the single greatest cause of damage to any laminate surface, so you want to ensure that every surface is dry post-cleaning.
It’s also important to know that some cleaning products will damage California Closets’ finishes. Avoid using cleaning products containing acidic or strong alkaline bases, cleaners with abrasives or scouring powders, abrasive cleaning materials such as steel wool or scrubbing pads, oven or rust cleaners, products containing wax, and cleaners containing lye, acetone, gasoline, lacquer thinner, or other similar products. It’s important to avoid using products that contain oil, as they could leave surface streaks as they dry.
While you may think you know what’s in your cleaner, we recommend double-checking the active ingredients in any product for potentially harmful chemicals before using it on your system. Do not use solvents containing: acetone, ammonia, amyl acetate, benzene, butyl acetate, butyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, caustic soda, cellosolve, chlorinated solvents, chloroform, cresols/phenols, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, gasoline, glacial acetate acid, halogenated solvents, ketones, methyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, thinners, toluene, or xylene.
Remove any excess dust and dirt with a soft cloth or sponge that has either a solution of mild soap and water or a solution of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% water. Then, use a cloth that’s slightly damp with lukewarm water to wipe down your panels so that no excess moisture can soak into edges, seams, or joints.
Wipe down standard door and drawer fronts with a slightly damp cloth using a solution of 5% soap and 95% water. Wipe any excess soapy residue and dry with a soft, clean cloth. To dust your system, use a soft, clean cloth — do not use a chemical cleanser like wax furniture polish, abrasive products, bleach- or chlorine-based cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, diluters, alcohol, or anything similar.
Spray glass on the front surface with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Use a non-abrasive, lint-free rag to clean the glass. If glass is painted on the back surface, do not clean. The paint is water-based and can lift if cleaned.
Some further words of caution:
• Do not use metal scrapers, blades, or steel wool on glass surfaces
• Avoid household cleaners and abrasives
When cleaning deep-textured panels, first use a soft cloth and mild soapy water to remove dirt and grease. Then, rinse immediately with a clean cloth and dry with another clean, soft cloth, using light pressure. Avoid vigorous rubbing, as this tends to raise glossy spots, marring the surface effect of the panels.
If chemicals or staining liquids are spilled on the panels, wipe them off immediately and wash the surface with soapy water, rinsing several times to eliminate any residue.
Some further words of caution:
• Do not use scouring or abrasive agents, such as abrasive powders, scouring pads, or steel wool
• Do not use polish, washing powder, furniture cleaner, or bleach
• Do not use detergents with strong acids or acidic salts
• Do not use steam cleaning equipment
• Do not use strong soaps, detergents, or liquid wax cleaners with dirt-cutting agents on wood finishes
Chroma®, like all thermoplastic materials, should be cleaned periodically. A regular cleaning program will help maintain the aesthetic and life of the material. Use a product like NOVUS® No. 1 or Brillianize® Plastic Cleaner. Both are designed specifically for use on plastics, and they can also help the material resist finger marking and static.
When cleaning your Chroma® countertops, first remove dust and dirt with a damp, soft cloth or sponge and a solution of mild soap and liquid detergent with water. Then, rinse or wipe the Chroma® thoroughly with a soft cloth that’s been saturated in lukewarm water. For more stubborn stains, dirty spots or grease, surface cleaners like Fantastik® or Formula 409® also work well. After each of these steps, be sure to rinse the surface thoroughly with a soft cloth that’s been soaked in lukewarm water, and then blot (do not rub) with a clean soft cloth before drying with another clean soft cloth. Rubbing the surface with a dry cloth can scratch the material and create a static charge.
Some further words of caution:
• Do not use squeegees or scrapers, as they may scratch Chroma® surfaces
• Do not use scouring compounds or solvents, such as acetone,
gasoline, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, or lacquer thinner
• Do not use abrasives or high alkaline cleaners
• Do not rub the surface with a dry cloth or a cloth of synthetic fiber, such as rayon or polyester, as it may scratch the surface
• Do not use Windex® or glass cleaner
When cleaning supermatte door/drawer fronts, like with supermatte countertops, first use a soft cloth and mild soapy water to remove dirt and grease. Then, rinse immediately with a clean cloth and dry with another clean, soft cloth, using light pressure.
For best results, clean high-gloss acrylic fronts with a wet microfiber cloth or chamois and mild soap mixed with water. Never use a dry cloth on our acrylic finishes. Apply Ultra Gloss® Superpolish + DGS, NOVUS® No. 1 Polish, or Plexus® Plastic Cleaner on a weekly basis to keep acrylic in optimum condition.
Some further words of caution:
• Do not use household cleaners or abrasives
• Always check the active ingredients of your cleaners to be sure there are no potentially harmful chemicals
• Do not use paper towels, brushes, scourers, or scrapers
• Do not use most solvent-based cleaners
Maintain by wiping them clean with a slightly damp cloth. No harsh chemicals or leather conditioners should ever be used on the surfaces. Surface scratches may be treated with shoe polish or a matching furniture leather marker available from fine furniture stores.
Leather is a naturally durable organic material. Our enhanced treatments add to the durability of the product without compromising its inherent luxurious appeal. Over time, a rich patina will develop on our leather products in the same manner as with fine leather furniture.
