Cabinet Cleaner

[buzz5985]

Howard's contains petro chemicals and will remove the finish from a varnished or lacquered piece(cabinet) stain can not penetrate a finish and Howard's contains stain not sure about your cabinets but it sounds like they probably did not have a lacquer finish but a hand rubbed wax finish to begin with.

Took this from the Kraft maid site:

<<How Does It Work? - Restor-A-Finish is a unique finish-penetrating formula that restores the original color and luster to your finish while blending out the blemishes and minor scratches. Restor-A-Finish restores the finish in one step - without removing any of the existing finish.

Restore It - Don't Strip It! - With a simple wipe-on, wipe-off process, most finished wood surfaces that seem to need a refinishing job can be completely restored in a few minutes. White heat rings and water marks, sun fade, oxidation, smoke damage, and most other blemishes can be quickly eliminated. Before you go to the extreme of stripping it, try restoring it!Restor-A-Finish is available in nine colors: Neutral, Maple-Pine, Golden Oak, Cherry, Walnut, Mahogany, Dark Walnut, Dark Oak, and Ebony Brown.>>

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I know what the website says, the facts are it is a serious chemical solvent and should not be used in a enclosed area without good ventilation. It does not penetrate it softens the finish the first ingredient in it is actually used in some strippers.

I am not promoting one product over another I actually think vinegar and water is a great safe cleaner. I just posted what my DH with over 30 years expierence as a furniture restorer, he is not a refinisher, he is a craftmans who has restored pieces for museums, uses to clean quality antiques.

I am not saying you should not use Howard's but I think an informed consumer is a knowledgable one and with that knowledge can make a informed decision on what is right for one's family.


This is what Howard's contains:

http://whatsinproducts.com/informat...05&PHPSESSID=061cbf78e0b9d251cab1eca223238357

Methyl ethyl ketone
Methyl ethyl ketone is used as a solvent. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to methyl ethyl ketone in humans results in irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Limited information is available on the chronic (long-term) effects of methyl ethyl ketone in humans. Chronic inhalation studies in animals have reported slight neurological, liver, kidney, and respiratory effects. No information is available on the developmental, reproductive, or carcinogenic effects of methyl ethyl ketone in humans. Developmental effects, including decreased fetal weight and fetal malformations, have been reported in mice and rats exposed to methyl ethyl ketone via inhalation and ingestion. EPA has classified methyl ethyl ketone as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/m4628.htm

Xylene (mixed isomers)

Xylene is used as a solvent and in the printing, rubber, and leather industries. It is also used as a cleaning agent, a thinner for paint, and in paints and varnishes. It is found in small amounts in airplane fuel and gasoline.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/xylene/


Toluene

Toluene is added to gasoline, used to produce benzene, and used as a solvent


http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/t3913.htm



Benzene

it is a known carcinogen, its use as an additive in gasoline is now limited, but it is an important industrial solvent and precursor in the production of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber, and dyes.

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp