Laminated and UV gloss boards are a popular choice for kitchens, wardrobes and shelving in Nairobi homes, because they arrive with a finished, easy-clean surface. With a little everyday laminated boards care, they will keep looking good for years. Here is how to look after quality boards at home.
Know your finish
Most of the boards in our boards range have a laminated face: a decorative surface bonded to the board, in plain colours, woodgrains or marble looks. Some decors also come with a UV finish, a high-gloss topcoat that gives a mirror-like shine and better scratch resistance than a normal finish. Both are easy to clean, but gloss shows marks and fine scratches more readily, so it benefits from a gentler touch.
Everyday cleaning
- Wipe surfaces with a soft, damp cloth. A microfibre cloth works well on gloss.
- For grease or sticky marks, add a little mild washing-up liquid to warm water, then wipe again with clean water.
- Dry the surface with a soft cloth to avoid streaks, especially on gloss doors.
- Clean up spills straight away rather than leaving them to sit.
What to avoid
- Scouring pads, steel wool and abrasive powders: they scratch laminate and dull a gloss finish.
- Harsh chemicals and solvents: strong cleaners can mark or discolour the surface.
- Wax or polish: laminated surfaces do not need it, and it can leave a smeary film on gloss.
- Very hot items placed directly on the surface: use a mat or trivet.
Protect the edges
The weakest point of any board is its edge. If water gets into an unsealed edge, the core can swell. That is why edging matters: it seals the raw edge and gives a clean finish. When you order boards cut to size, ask for every exposed edge to be edged, especially:
- Cabinet doors and panels beside the sink
- Shelves and panels near the cooker or kettle
- The bottom edges of tall units that sit near the floor
Our board cutting and edging service cuts and edges boards to your sizes, so they are protected before they are fitted.
Kitchen tips for Kenyan homes
- Wipe up splashes around the sink at the end of each day, paying attention to door edges.
- Use the cooker hood when cooking to cut down on steam and grease on wall units.
- Let the kettle steam away from wall cabinets rather than straight up into them.
- Use a chopping board. Never cut directly on a laminated surface.
Wardrobe and shelving tips
- Dust shelves regularly with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
- Avoid overloading long shelves. For heavy loads, ask us about stronger boards such as blockboard.
- Wipe gloss wardrobe doors gently to remove fingerprints, then buff dry.
Woodgrain and marble-look decors
Woodgrain and marble-look laminates are cleaned the same way as plain colours: a soft damp cloth and mild soap. Wipe along the direction of the grain on woodgrain decors to avoid streaks. On marble-look UV boards, treat the surface like any gloss finish and dry it after cleaning. Unlike real stone, these surfaces need no sealing.
When moving or fitting furniture
- Lift panels and cabinets rather than dragging them, to protect edges and corners.
- Keep protective film on gloss boards until the unit is fitted, if your boards came with it.
- Use felt pads under items that sit on shelves or worktops.
Related products
Laminated and UV gloss boards mentioned in this care guide:
Need a replacement panel?
If a panel does get damaged, it can often be replaced without rebuilding the whole unit. Note the decor name of your board. We stock a wide range of kitchen and wardrobe boards and fittings, and we can cut a new panel to size.
Send us a photo and the measurements on WhatsApp on 0759 888 222, or visit our showroom at 44 Enterprise Rd, Industrial Area, Nairobi, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm.