Cleaning Matte Lacquer Kitchen Doors Without Damage

A matte finish scatters light through a micro-textured surface. Anything abrasive polishes that texture flat, which creates a shiny patch that is far more visible than a scratch on gloss and cannot be buffed back.

A soft microfibre cloth, warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner. Nothing abrasive, no cream cleaners, no magic erasers and no solvent-based sprays. Wipe in straight lines rather than circles, which spreads any marking less visibly.

Matte surfaces hold grease films more stubbornly than gloss. Clean the door fronts either side of the hob weekly rather than monthly, because once a grease film has baked on, removing it safely takes far longer.

Light burnishing can sometimes be improved with a dedicated matte-finish restorer from the door manufacturer. Heavier damage usually means replacing the door, which is one more reason to keep a spare door from the original batch.