Domzhiznthe kitchen, where the home lives: a guide to setting up and caring for it

An independent guide to setting up, renovating and caring for the kitchen. We do not sell furniture or appliances, do not carry out work and are not connected with the previous site on this domain. Leave gas, electrical work and water connections to professionals.

How-to

How-to guides

Some little things in the kitchen annoy you for years, even though they can be fixed in one calm evening. A darkened seam around the sink, a door that catches on its neighbor, a range hood that is noisy but barely pulls air: all of this can be fixed without a pro. Below are three such jobs, broken into steps. Before starting any work, unplug the appliance and read the manufacturer's instructions.

A small repair starts with a plug pulled from the outlet and the manual open to the right page.

— Food for thought

How this section works: we describe the order of simple jobs in general terms. Gas, water and electrical connections are not covered here; that work is done by professionals.

How to renew the sealant around the sink

  1. Assess the seam

    If the sealant has darkened, pulled away from the edge or you can see moisture under it, it is time to replace it. Laying a new bead over the old one does not help.

  2. Remove the old bead

    Carefully cut along the seam with a utility knife and peel it off in a strip without scratching the countertop or the sink. Clean up the leftovers with a plastic scraper.

  3. Clean and dry

    Wipe the area with a cleaner approved for your countertop and let it dry completely. Sealant does not bond well to a damp surface.

  4. Mask the edges with painter's tape

    Apply tape along both sides of the future seam. That way the line comes out straight and excess sealant does not smear across the surface.

  5. Apply and smooth the seam

    Choose a sealant suited to wet areas and apply it in one continuous pass, following the manufacturer's instructions. Smooth the seam, remove the tape right away and air out the kitchen.

  6. Let it cure

    Do not use the sink until the sealant has cured as stated on the package. Rushing here just means doing the job again.

How to adjust cabinet doors

  1. Find what is off

    Look at the row of doors in good light: which ones are crooked, where the gaps are uneven, which door rubs against its neighbor or does not close all the way.

  2. Figure out the hinges

    Many cabinet hinges have adjustment screws: one moves the door sideways, another up and down, a third in and out. The hardware instructions will tell you which does what.

  3. Turn a little at a time

    Turn the screw with a screwdriver of the right size, a little at a time, and close the door after each step to see the result. Sudden force easily strips the thread.

  4. Check the hinge mounting

    If a hinge wobbles in the cabinet, tighten its mounting screws first. A worn-out screw hole or a broken hinge is better replaced than adjusted over and over.

  5. Check handles and drawers

    While you are at it, tighten the handles and check that the drawers run smoothly. Loose drawer slides can often be adjusted too, as described in the manufacturer's instructions.

How to clean the range hood grease filter

  1. Disconnect the hood from power

    Unplug it or switch off the hood the way its manual says. Wait until the cooktop and the hood itself have cooled down.

  2. Remove the filter

    Release the latches and support the filter with your other hand so it does not drop onto the cooktop. If you are unsure how it comes out, check the manual.

  3. Soak and rinse

    A metal filter is usually soaked in hot water with dish soap and scrubbed with a soft brush. Whether it can go in the dishwasher is up to the manufacturer's instructions.

  4. Dry it completely

    Let the filter dry before putting it back. While it is out, wipe the inside of the hood housing, which is normally hard to reach.

  5. Remember the charcoal filter

    If your hood has a charcoal filter, it is not washed but replaced on the schedule given in the appliance manual.

  • Tools

    What to keep on hand for measuring, small repairs and kitchen care: from a tape measure and level to soft cloths.

  • Care

    Caring for countertops, the sink, range hood, oven, tile grout, cabinet fronts and the dining table, by season and by situation.

  • Planning

    The order of a kitchen renovation: measuring, work zones, lighting and outlets, work by professionals, sequence of work and final check.

What we rely on

  • Instructions from furniture, appliance and material manufacturers
  • Domzhizn editorial materials

Domzhizn advice is written in general terms and based on the instructions of furniture, appliance and material manufacturers and on widely accepted kitchen safety rules. Check the manual for how to clean a specific surface or service an appliance, ask your building management about remodeling, and leave gas, electrical work and water connections to professionals.