Garage Cabinet Maintenance: Cleaning and Long-Term Care Tips

Dust and Clean Regularly

Okay, so let’s start off easy, shall we? Like any household surface, your cabinets can accumulate dust, dirt, and debris. Fortunately, you can easily remove this surface grime and make your garage spotless with a soft, dry cloth.

Plan to wipe down your cabinets about every week or two, but perhaps more regularly depending on how you use your garage. For example, if you’re big into woodworking, the sawdust can end up all over your garage, coating your cabinets. You might need to dust every time you turn on the power saw.

Committing to regular dusting prevents grime from building up, which then makes it harder to clean. That said, you will sometimes have to bust out the big guns as part of your cleaning routine.

Every few months, combine warm water and mild detergent to wipe down dirty cabinet surfaces and get them shiny and sparkling again. You can skip the harsh chemicals here, and you should certainly never use abrasive materials, as they can damage the cabinet finish.

Inspect and Tighten Hardware Regularly

In a perfect world, all those screws and lug nuts holding your garage cabinetry together wouldn’t require tightening, but that’s not the reality we live in. That’s why you have to check the hardware, handles, and hinges in your cabinets periodically for loose bolts.

While you’re at it, look for any signs of wear as well, and consider promptly replacing the damaged hardware before it gets worse or impedes cabinet functionality.

If you notice any loose screws, you can easily tighten them. Family Handyman recommends applying some pressure to the screw as you insert it into place. You can then secure it with a tool or a power drill.

Protect Cabinets From Moisture

Few things ruin metal cabinets as quickly as moisture. After all, it can contribute to mildew, mold, and warping, destroying the integrity of your cabinets and garage. So, what can you do to keep moisture at bay?

Well, for starters, you shouldn’t wait to clean up spills, whether water or another liquid. Even if you toss a towel over it and come back to the spill when you have time later, that’s still better than doing nothing.

You should also ventilate your garage. Open the windows and door from time to time to let the warm air out. And if that’s not doing the trick, then you need some form of moisture absorption, be it a dehumidifier or otherwise, to reduce the humidity.

Organize and Avoid Overloading

Custom cabinets allow you to organize your garage like never before. And while decluttering feels good, make sure you don’t move too many objects into your cabinets. Otherwise, they’ll become overloaded and overwhelmed.

First, learn the importance of weight distribution. If you don’t put about the same amount of weight across the cabinet shelves, bad things can happen. You put unnecessary strain on one side of the cabinet, which can cause sagging and warping. Eventually, the cabinet could fall.

Besides getting the weight distribution right, you also have to keep it tidy there. May we suggest bins and organizers, so you can easily access your favorite garage items? It also doesn’t hurt to reorganize your cabinets a few times a year, removing what you don’t need to create more space.

Clean and Lubricate Moving Parts

Part of a good maintenance routine for garage cabinets is taking care of moving parts. Check your drawer slides and hinges, cleaning them to remove dirt and debris that can hinder their smooth operation.

Usually, you only need water and mild detergent to clean moving parts, but some might benefit from a metal cleaner.

Once you’ve cleaned the parts, lubricate them if they’re dry. Don’t use oil-based lubricants, as they’re like magnets for grime and dirt. You'll have to start cleaning all over again.

Avoid Direct Sunlight Exposure

If you have windows or skylights in your garage, it can feel great to have the sun on your shoulders. However, prolonged sun exposure can be dangerous for your garage cabinets, as it can lead to discoloration, warping, and fading.

You don’t have to blot out the sunlight in your garage altogether. At the very least, invest in some UV-blocking film to cover the windows, so damaging UV rays can’t impact your cabinets. You can also purchase window coverings.

Another option is to move your cabinets if they aren’t bolted into the wall. Angling them away from areas with direct sunlight will protect them from damage.

Check for Pest Infestations

Pests, such as rodents and insects, will happily make your garage cabinets their home, especially during the cold season. If you see chew marks and droppings, you likely have the beginnings of a pest infestation.

Curtailing the infestation before it becomes full-blown is always best. The first task is to check for any cracks and gaps around your home’s foundation, especially the garage. Seal them up to stop critters from getting inside.

Natural deterrents and traps can help with a moderate pest issue and are great at preventing infestations after you get your garage pest-free. However, if the infestation doesn't abate or worsens after taking the above measures, you’ll have no choice but to call an exterminator for professional help.

Conclusion

Maintaining your garage cabinets is a critical part of keeping them usable for longer. Clean your cabinets, lubricate moving parts, watch out for infestations and sun damage, tighten up the hardware, and keep your cabinets neat, and you’ll have a better garage.

Source

• https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/how-to-drive-screws-perfectly/