Painted fitted furniture is hard-wearing, but it isn’t indestructible. How you treat it in the first part of its life, and how you clean it after that, makes a real difference to how it looks over the years.
This guide covers the basics: curing, cleaning, handling, humidity and small repairs. It applies to both spray-painted and hand-painted finishes.
Be gentle while the paint cures
Paint can feel dry to the touch long before it’s fully hard. It needs time to cure fully, so treat new paintwork gently at first. In practice that means:
- don’t scrub the surface or use anything abrasive
- avoid putting heavy items down hard on shelves, or sliding them along
- don’t stick tape, labels or hooks to the paint
- open and close doors and drawers normally, without forcing them.
Ask your maker how long they suggest being careful for, as it depends on the paint and conditions.
Everyday cleaning
For most marks, a soft cloth dampened with water is enough. For grubbier spots, a little mild washing-up liquid in warm water usually works. Wring the cloth out well so it’s damp, not wet. Dry the surface afterwards with a clean cloth.
Avoid:
- abrasive pads, scourers and cream cleaners
- strong solvents and bleach-based sprays
- soaking edges and joints, where water can get into the board.
Test any new cleaner on a hidden spot first.
Handles, edges and high-touch areas
The places that get handled most show wear first. Door edges near handles, drawer fronts and the lower parts of hallway cupboards all take more contact. Wiping these areas a little more often stops dirt building up in the paint.
In a kitchen, wipe up splashes and grease when they happen rather than letting them dry. Steam from a kettle or hob can affect paint over time, so use the extractor and don’t let steam play on the same spot every day.
Thinking about fitted furniture? We design, make and fit it across London: we visit, measure and talk through the design, then send a written quote. Arrange a design visit.
Heat, damp and sunlight
Painted furniture is happiest in a room with steady conditions. A few things to watch:
- keep a gap between furniture and radiators or heaters, and don’t block grilles
- ventilate rooms where damp builds up, and keep vents in units clear
- be aware that strong sunlight can change how some colours look over time.
Furniture on an external wall needs a little more thought. See fitted furniture on external walls.
Dealing with chips and scuffs
Small chips and scuffs happen, especially in busy rooms. A light scuff can often be cleaned away. A chip in the paint is best touched up so the board underneath isn’t exposed to moisture.
Hand-painted finishes are easy to touch up on site. Spray-painted finishes can be touched up too, though a large repair on a spray finish is harder to blend. Keep a note of the paint colour and sheen used, and any leftover paint, so a touch-up matches. Our guide to spray-painted vs hand-painted furniture explains the difference.
Doors, drawers and hinges
If a door starts to sit out of line, hinges can usually be adjusted. Don’t let a door rub against its neighbour, as that wears the paint on the edges. Drawers run best when they aren’t overloaded. If anything starts to stick, it’s better to look at it early than to force it.
Quick answers
How do I clean painted wardrobes?
Use a soft cloth dampened with water, or a little mild washing-up liquid in warm water. Dry the surface afterwards. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
Why should I be careful with new paintwork?
Paint can feel dry before it has fully cured. Until it hardens, it marks more easily, so treat it gently at first.
Can painted fitted furniture be touched up?
Yes. Hand-painted finishes are easy to touch up. Spray finishes can be touched up too, though larger repairs are harder to blend.
Related services
More advice
- Choosing a Paint Finish for Fitted Furniture
- Spray-Painted vs Hand-Painted Furniture
- Fitted Furniture on External Walls: Damp and Ventilation
- MDF vs Plywood for Fitted Furniture
- All advice
This guide is general information about fitted furniture. It isn’t legal, planning or building advice; for those, speak to the council, your landlord or managing agent, or a suitably qualified professional.