How to Clean Lacquer Cabinets Without Ruining the Finish

Lacquer asks almost nothing — which is exactly why it gets abused with whatever spray is under the sink. Here is the whole regimen.

The only routine you need

Warm water, a drop of dish soap, a well-wrung microfibre; wipe with the panel, then once dry with a second cloth. Weekly for handles zones, monthly whole-kitchen. That is genuinely all a sealed lacquer surface requires.

The blacklist

No magic erasers (they are micro-abrasives), no citrus or ammonia sprays, no bleach, no furniture polish that leaves silicone films. One enthusiastic scrub with an abrasive pad dulls a matte finish permanently.

Grease zones

Above the hob, let a damp soapy cloth sit against the film for thirty seconds to soften grease rather than scrubbing. Finish with the dry cloth to avoid streaks on satin and gloss.