ᐅ How can I clean Ikea HEMNES furniture without using chemicals?

Hello everyone,

I have a small but important question for me: I own several Ikea Hemnes furniture pieces that I really appreciate – simple, sturdy, and timeless. However, I now want to clean these furniture items without using chemical cleaners, as I am sensitive to many cleaning products and also want to live more sustainably.

Therefore, my question to the community is: What is the best way to clean Ikea HEMNES furniture without chemicals? I am especially looking for a gentle method that does not damage the wood, leaves no residues, and still effectively removes dirt and grease.

Are there any home remedies or natural solutions you can recommend? What experiences have you had – especially with the sometimes lacquered or oiled surfaces of the HEMNES series?

I look forward to diverse and practical tips, including advice on maintenance after cleaning.

Thank you in advance!

Hello Yannis70,

Regarding your question about cleaning Ikea HEMNES furniture without using chemical cleaners, I’m happy to share my thoughts. The HEMNES series is generally made of solid wood and usually coated with clear varnish or a thin layer of lacquer, so it’s best to avoid harsh cleaning products.

Recommended are natural cleaning agents such as:
- A solution of warm water and a small amount of vinegar (about 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water) works well to remove grease and light dirt.
- Mild soapy water (for example, soap bars) in water—without creating too much foam—is gentle yet effective.

Important: Clean only with a well-wrung cloth to prevent moisture penetrating the wood. Afterwards, it’s best to wipe down with a dry, soft cotton cloth.

For finishing, I suggest treating the wood with natural linseed oil or furniture wax (such as beeswax) to keep the wood durable and improve its appearance.

If you have specific stains, simple remedies like a baking soda paste (mix baking soda with a little water, apply carefully, then wipe off) can also help.

I’m happy to provide more details on the surface types of HEMNES furniture if you have further questions.

In addition to what funon5 has already mentioned, I would like to highlight an important point: Even though vinegar is a popular household remedy, you should be very careful when using it on painted surfaces. Vinegar can temporarily damage the paint coating if it is too concentrated or used too frequently.

My tip: Always test first on an inconspicuous area and preferably use a mild soap solution. Clear water with a microfiber cloth is often sufficient for light dirt.

For regular maintenance, a slightly damp cloth without any additives followed by a dry wipe is recommended.

If you want sustainability and value retention, you should avoid using strong household chemicals.

Thanks already for the detailed advice!

To be more precise: Some of my HEMNES furniture pieces are sealed with a matte lacquer, while others are only oiled. Also, they experience different levels of use—for example, in the living room there are sometimes drink stains or fingerprints, while in the bedroom it’s mostly dust and occasional oils from skin contact.

Could you give specific tips on the best way to care for lacquered furniture parts? And what about oiled surfaces—I’m uncertain because moisture and cleaning agents can apparently have a direct effect on the wood here.

How often should oiled surfaces be maintained? And what are your experiences with natural care products? I prefer to avoid any residues that are sticky or develop strong odors later.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the different finishes.

Yannis70 schrieb:
Can you provide specific tips on how to best care for painted furniture parts? And what about oiled surfaces – I’m unsure because moisture and cleaning agents can apparently directly affect the wood.

I completely understand your wish for gentle, chemical-free cleaning. I had oiled HEMNES furniture myself, and at first, I was also uncertain about how much water was acceptable. In my experience: it’s generally best to work with minimal moisture, wiping almost dry, and only use a slightly damp method for stubborn stains.

For oiled surfaces, sometimes a light refresh with pure plant oil – such as linseed oil or a special furniture oil – every 6 months or so, depending on usage, can help. It’s important to rub in any excess oil well so it doesn’t remain sticky.

For painted parts, I only use a dry or lightly dampened cloth to avoid damaging the protective coating. I remove stains gently with soapy water.

If you want, try observing how the paint reacts during small wiping tests. Wood needs care, but the right balance is crucial.

For painted surfaces, use a slightly damp cloth with a mild soap solution, then wipe dry.

For oiled surfaces, refresh very sparingly with oil and wipe off any excess.

Use vinegar only diluted and with caution.