ᐅ How do you properly clean Malm furniture when dealing with stubborn stains?

Hello everyone, I have a Malm piece of furniture (IKEA) with a lacquered surface and unfortunately some stubborn stains, such as dried coffee stains and red chalk marks. I want to clean the furniture properly and gently without damaging the surface or affecting the lacquer. Does anyone have experience with the best way to remove this type of stain? Which products and methods are suitable, especially when water and regular furniture cleaners don’t help? I look forward to tips that also take the sensitive surface into account.

For dried coffee or rust stains, I usually use a damp microfiber cloth and a little dish soap. They can often be removed with gentle rubbing. If that doesn’t work, sometimes a small amount of isopropanol on a cloth helps – but test carefully to make sure the surface can tolerate it.

Hello Foarvid, when cleaning Malm furniture with painted surfaces, it is crucial to avoid aggressive cleaners, as they might damage the paint. I recommend starting by wiping the surface with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth and a mild dish soap. For stubborn stains, such as coffee or red pencil marks, gently dabbing with isopropyl alcohol can be helpful, but be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area first. Alternatively, a mixture of lukewarm water and a few drops of vinegar occasionally works well, as it removes organic stains without harming the paint. Important: the cloths should be damp, not wet, to prevent moisture from penetrating. Always rub gently in the direction of the grain. Please briefly describe how large the stains are and whether there are any other sensitive areas on the furniture that require special care. This way, I can provide more precise advice if needed.

It is important to know the type of furniture finish. IKEA Malm pieces often have a polyurethane-based coating, which can only withstand mechanical or chemical stress to a limited extent. For stubborn stains, start by cleaning with a mild soapy solution and a soft microfiber cloth. If this does not work, isopropanol can be used carefully. Do not rub abrasive cleaners or acetone on the surface, as these can damage it. For colored pencil stains, a special cleaning solution for crayons may be used, but always test it first on an inconspicuous area. For deeply set coffee or ink stains, professional furniture cleaning might be advisable, since accidental damage to the finish can quickly lead to higher costs.

minan schrieb:
First, I recommend cleaning the surface with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth and mild dish soap.

This is very important because too much moisture can penetrate the furniture and cause the surface to swell.

Rodolfo schrieb:
If that doesn’t work, you can cautiously use isopropyl alcohol.

However, please use it sparingly. It’s best to apply it with a cotton swab and test it first on an inconspicuous area.

Alternative: A rubber eraser can gently remove red chalk stains without damaging the surface. Make sure to dust the area well beforehand and keep the furniture dry.

In summary: Clean only gently, use little to no water, and treat tougher stains carefully with isopropyl alcohol. This way, the appearance and surface will be preserved 🙂