While Patzer Woodworking, Inc. cabinetry is built to last a lifetime, there are a few steps you can take and good tips you should know in order to ensure the lasting beauty of your woodwork.  Wood products can be best preserved through moments of care and simple maintenance. 

Cleaning Guidelines

• Clean the cabinets as needed with a lint-free cloth dampened with a non-abrasive (mild) detergent.  Dry thoroughly and immediately. 
• Wipe up spills, splatters and water marks as they occur, keeping the cabinet surfaces dry.  Prolonged exposure to spills, including food, water or other liquids, or to oil and grease splatters, can cause permanent discoloration or damage to your cabinet’s finish.  Give special attention to areas near the sink and dishwasher that come in contact with moisture. 
• Use a non-solvent cleaner and polish designed for solid wood cabinetry, on all clean surfaces, as needed.  Guardsman is recommended by Patzer Woodworking and is available for purchase. 
• Avoid using scouring pads or powdered cleansers.  These may scratch and penetrate the surface, allowing food or moisture to enter and cause deterioration of the finish. 
• Try to keep your home climate controlled at all times.  Excess humidity can cause the solid wood in your cabinets to shrink or grow, potentially causing cracking or warping.  Wood cabinets do best in a steady temperature between 65 and 75 degrees, with 45 to 50 percent humidity. 
• Never use soap pads, steel wool or any cleaners containing ammonia or chlorine on your cabinetry.  These harsh abrasives will mar the wood finish.  It is also best to avoid the use of paste wax and polishes that contain silicone (the wax buildup is difficult to remove and can make it impossible to repair or touch up). 
• Never use a dishcloth to clean or dry cabinet exteriors.  It may contain remnants of detergents and grease. 
• Never use solvent-based or petroleum-based products such as mineral spirits, nail-polish removers or paint thinners.
• Do not leave wet cloths on or near cabinets. 

Regular Dusting
Use a clean, soft lint-free cotton cloth for regular dusting.  Packaged dusting sheets are not required or recommended.  Do not use pre-moistened dusting sheets and do not use aerosol products made for dusting.

Waxing and Polishing
Waxing is not required or recommended.  Over time, waxing and polishing compounds may build up on the surface of your cabinets and cause a hazy, streaky or yellowed appearance.  This wax build up is very difficult to remove.

Cleaning Glass Doors
Extra care is required when cleaning glass doors.  Spray an ammonia-free glass cleaner on a clean, soft lint-free cloth or paper towel.  Do not spray cleaner directly on the glass.  It could seep behind the window dividers and cause damage. 

PLEASE NOTE:
Patzer Woodworking, Inc. offers a limited (5) year warranty on cabinets and a (1) year warranty on countertops against defects in materials and workmanship from the date of installation.

What IS covered:
Initial repair, replacement (if necessary – Patzer Woodworking’s discretion), touch up and adjustments to cabinet doors, drawers and countertops.

What is NOT covered:

• Cabinetry and countertop damage after installation or damage by other sub-contractors on site.
• Normal wear and tear.
• Cabinet door and drawer adjustments beyond initial service.

Patzer Woodworking, Inc. is not responsible for cabinetry and/or countertop damage after installation, including but not limited to damage caused by misuse, abuse, accident, neglect, alteration, mishandling, improper storage, failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance, normal wear and tear, or by flood, fire, tornado or other acts of nature. 

Temperature and humidity variations may cause natural expansion and contraction in the wood, therefore, cabinet doors may need to be adjusted.  Normal everyday use may also require doors to be adjusted periodically.  This is considered routine maintenance and is not covered by Patzer Woodworking, Inc. 

Due to the normal variations in the density and graining of wood itself, the same stain applied to another piece of the same wood species may result in a somewhat different appearance.  Additionally, wood species in all finishes will exhibit color changes when exposed to all types of light (natural and man-made).  It is the general nature of wood to darken over time.  This aging process is not hindered by the finishing process.  All wood species will exhibit the following attributes:  sap runs, knots and pinholes.  These characteristics will occur in varying degrees dependent upon the type of wood species selected.  This warranty does not cover the effects of light, aging, variation in the wood grain or color, fading and visible cracking around joint areas (particularly finish cracks related to solid color finishes). 

This warranty does not cover expenses incurred while removing or installing or repairing defective products.  This warranty also does not apply to natural features and normal characteristics of the wood and finishing as described above.