Hello everyone,
I recently purchased some furniture from the Malm series by IKEA. Unfortunately, I noticed that the surfaces are quite sensitive to scratches, which is especially frustrating with everyday use.
My question is:
How can I protect Malm furniture against scratches while maintaining its appearance for as long as possible, without affecting the look or feel of the furniture? I am looking for advice on both short-term protective measures and long-term strategies to preserve the surface. Are there any proven products or home remedies that work well?
Perhaps also recommendations for suitable care products or tips on avoiding common mistakes when handling Malm furniture?
Thank you in advance for your help!
I recently purchased some furniture from the Malm series by IKEA. Unfortunately, I noticed that the surfaces are quite sensitive to scratches, which is especially frustrating with everyday use.
My question is:
How can I protect Malm furniture against scratches while maintaining its appearance for as long as possible, without affecting the look or feel of the furniture? I am looking for advice on both short-term protective measures and long-term strategies to preserve the surface. Are there any proven products or home remedies that work well?
Perhaps also recommendations for suitable care products or tips on avoiding common mistakes when handling Malm furniture?
Thank you in advance for your help!
E
edisondan28 Mar 2023 09:43The best protection for Malm furniture against scratches is a targeted combination of preventive care and mechanical protection.
First, you should place furniture pads such as felt gliders under all items placed on the surfaces (e.g., lamps, decorations). This prevents direct rubbing on the paint or coating.
Additionally, I recommend regular cleaning with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth without using harsh cleaning agents.
For extra surface sealing, special furniture waxes or polishes designed for laminate or melamine surfaces are suitable. These create a protective layer and increase abrasion resistance.
Strongly oil-based or solvent-based products should be avoided, as they can damage the surface.
A permanent protective film would be ideal, but it is less suitable for Malm furniture due to its appearance. Instead, I recommend discreet short-term protective measures like placemats or coasters.
First, you should place furniture pads such as felt gliders under all items placed on the surfaces (e.g., lamps, decorations). This prevents direct rubbing on the paint or coating.
Additionally, I recommend regular cleaning with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth without using harsh cleaning agents.
For extra surface sealing, special furniture waxes or polishes designed for laminate or melamine surfaces are suitable. These create a protective layer and increase abrasion resistance.
Strongly oil-based or solvent-based products should be avoided, as they can damage the surface.
A permanent protective film would be ideal, but it is less suitable for Malm furniture due to its appearance. Instead, I recommend discreet short-term protective measures like placemats or coasters.
N
Nathanaelk28 Mar 2023 10:11Hello, I would like to take a closer look at the topic, as the issue of scratches on Malm furniture is often underestimated.
Malm shelves and dressers are usually coated with a melamine finish that offers some scratch resistance but can be easily damaged by sharp or pointed objects.
1. Protection through physical barriers: As mentioned, felt pads and cushions are very useful. Felt pads made of high-quality wool felt are especially recommended because they are low-abrasion and provide smooth gliding.
2. Handling: Be careful not to place heavy or sharp objects on the surface without protection. For example, coasters prevent cups or vases from slipping, which could otherwise cause scratches when moved.
3. Cleaning products: pH-neutral cleaners or special laminate cleaners are suitable for cleaning. Afterwards, applying a suitable furniture polish wax can help preserve the surface. These waxes visually fill in small micro-scratches and create a smoother surface that attracts less dirt.
4. Alternatives: If you want to protect very scratch-prone areas, transparent protective film specifically designed for furniture surfaces can be used. However, these films should be cut precisely to size and applied without bubbles; otherwise, they become quite noticeable.
Therefore, my question is: Which pieces of furniture and what kind of usage do you observe? Are the furniture items mostly in a family home with children or in an office with minimal contact? Such details can help to further specify the protection strategy.
Malm shelves and dressers are usually coated with a melamine finish that offers some scratch resistance but can be easily damaged by sharp or pointed objects.
1. Protection through physical barriers: As mentioned, felt pads and cushions are very useful. Felt pads made of high-quality wool felt are especially recommended because they are low-abrasion and provide smooth gliding.
2. Handling: Be careful not to place heavy or sharp objects on the surface without protection. For example, coasters prevent cups or vases from slipping, which could otherwise cause scratches when moved.
3. Cleaning products: pH-neutral cleaners or special laminate cleaners are suitable for cleaning. Afterwards, applying a suitable furniture polish wax can help preserve the surface. These waxes visually fill in small micro-scratches and create a smoother surface that attracts less dirt.
4. Alternatives: If you want to protect very scratch-prone areas, transparent protective film specifically designed for furniture surfaces can be used. However, these films should be cut precisely to size and applied without bubbles; otherwise, they become quite noticeable.
Therefore, my question is: Which pieces of furniture and what kind of usage do you observe? Are the furniture items mostly in a family home with children or in an office with minimal contact? Such details can help to further specify the protection strategy.
Nathanaelk schrieb:
So my question: Which pieces of furniture and what type of use are you observing? Are the furniture mainly in a family home with children or in an office with little contact?Good question! I mainly use Malm dressers and a desk. This is a household without children, but with occasional visits from pets. The furniture is located in the living room and home office. The surfaces are mostly occupied with everyday items such as lamps, stacks of books, and sometimes computer accessories.
Wow, great topic! 🙂
I completely understand how frustrating scratches on Malm furniture can be, especially since the series looks so stylish.
My tip: Invest in good felt pads and put them under everything. They’re barely noticeable and provide excellent protection!
I also like to use so-called "furniture protection sprays," which create a thin protective layer on the surface – but important: always test first in an inconspicuous area!
I find that regularly wiping with a dry cloth helps keep the surface free of dust and harmful particles that can otherwise act like sandpaper.
And hey: Every little extra to prevent scratches helps, because once they appear, they’re hard to get rid of 🙂 Good luck protecting your Malm furniture!
I completely understand how frustrating scratches on Malm furniture can be, especially since the series looks so stylish.
My tip: Invest in good felt pads and put them under everything. They’re barely noticeable and provide excellent protection!
I also like to use so-called "furniture protection sprays," which create a thin protective layer on the surface – but important: always test first in an inconspicuous area!
I find that regularly wiping with a dry cloth helps keep the surface free of dust and harmful particles that can otherwise act like sandpaper.
And hey: Every little extra to prevent scratches helps, because once they appear, they’re hard to get rid of 🙂 Good luck protecting your Malm furniture!
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