Caring for Laminated Furniture — 10 Rules

Laminated panel (see our comparison of LDSP vs MDF) is one of the lowest-maintenance materials in kitchen cabinetry and fitted wardrobes. Resistant to fingerprints, undamaged by ordinary use, no need to re-lacquer. But that doesn’t make it indestructible.

10 practical care rules.

1. Daily cleaning — water + soft cloth

Just water, or water with a drop or two of dish soap. Soft microfibre cloth (never steel wool or abrasive). After cleaning, wipe dry.

2. What not to use

• Acetone, solvents, alcohol — can damage the melamine film
• Steel or glass scrapers — scratch the laminate
• Petrol or naphtha — leave dark stains
• Sunflower oil without water — soaks into the board

3. Hot items

If you put a boiling pot directly on the panel (a hot soup pot on the worktop), move it immediately. Long heat exposure can blister the board. Always use a trivet.

4. The cooker — hot air

If the cooker is next to a cabinet, leave 10–15 cm of gap. Years of hot air, plus hot pots, plus heat — can shift the colour of the front.

5. Water on the floor — wipe immediately

Especially under the kitchen plinth — water gets in and you don’t see it. Check regularly. Long-term moisture damages the board from inside, and it doesn’t come back.

6. PUR edge bonding

Our panels are PUR-bonded — waterproof. But that doesn’t mean the panel can sit in water. 30+ minutes of direct water contact is already a risk.

7. Fingerprints on gloss

A gloss front is a fingerprint magnet. The solution:

• Microfibre for daily wiping
• A specialised spray (Premium Finish, Pronto) for grease marks
• Deep clean — once a week

The trade-off for gloss is that the colour comes alive in light (see also small kitchen design ideas). Worth paying that price for the colour.

8. Check the hinges

Blum hinges gradually shift over 2–3 years. If a door starts rubbing (little noises), that’s the signal to adjust — a screwdriver and a quarter-turn on the hinge screw. No help needed.

9. Smells in cabinets

If a cabinet starts to smell (especially shoe cabinets; see our wardrobe planning tips for more), it’s usually because there’s no ventilation. Fix:

• Open box of baking soda — absorbs smells
• Drilled ventilation holes
• Open the doors more often to let air move

10. Polish every few years

Every 5–7 years, if the panel has dulled slightly (especially in light colours), use an Egger-approved panel polish with a soft cloth. Never use car polish or paint — they ruin the surface.

Bottom line

Laminated panel is one of those materials that lasts 15 years with the right care. The effort is minimal, the payoff is real.

If you ever run into a problem (real damage, edge lifting, hinge noise), reach out — we service every project we’ve built within the 5-year warranty.