As with any material, smoke, oils, grease and sunlight will wear and discolor 3DL (thermofoil). Fortunately, keeping thermofoil parts clean and looking new is very easily done! Everyday spills and splatters can be cleaned with a mixture of mild soap and warm water. When cleaning 3DL products, don’t forget to use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. If desired, a non-waxing spray polish like Endust® will revitalize dirty and aging parts. Harsh chemicals and cleansers, such as acetone and lacquer thinners, are unnecessary and will permanently damage thermofoil. Should your 3DL parts become stained, you can try placing a cloth dampened with a little Isopropyl Alcohol on top of the stain, let it set for 20-30 minutes and wipe clean.
Thermofoil is particularly sensitive to long-term heat exposure. Please keep this in mind when designing a kitchen layout or for an area in direct sunlight. A heat shield is needed to deflect the heat generated by stoves, ovens and small appliances. It is always suggested to use stovetop hoods when cooking to help disperse heat properly. We also recommend opening cabinet doors and drawers away from the oven during a self-cleaning cycle and moving your coffee maker, toaster and deep fryer out from underneath 3DL products. In addition, do not set hot pans or containers directly on a 3DL surface. Always use a cutting board; do not cut directly on the 3DL surface.
If you’re curious about some of the great reasons to use 3DL, please check out our previous blog post: Top 10 Reasons to Use Thermofoil.