ᐅ Are there any manufacturer recommendations for maintaining Malm furniture?

Hello everyone,

Lately, I have been thinking about the best way to care for my IKEA Malm furniture without causing damage or affecting the surface. There are many different tips out there—ranging from special furniture care products to home remedies. My question is: Does IKEA officially produce or recommend any products for caring for Malm furniture, or are there specific manufacturer guidelines for cleaning and protection?

I am especially interested in whether IKEA suggests any particular care products or if it is better to use generally recommended furniture cleaners. Additionally, it would be helpful to know which cleaning methods should be avoided to prevent damage to the surfaces.

Thanks in advance for your experiences and advice!

kloyamin schrieb:
Are there any officially manufactured or recommended products from IKEA for the care of Malm furniture, or specific manufacturer guidelines regarding cleaning and protection?

I had the same question some time ago and I really appreciate you bringing up this topic here.

IKEA itself is somewhat cautious when it comes to care recommendations. From my experience, there are no special care products offered by IKEA specifically for Malm furniture. Their product descriptions generally only suggest cleaning with a damp cloth and mild cleaning agents, but no specific care products.

Personally, it’s important to me to feel like I’m not doing anything wrong, so I usually just use a slightly damp microfiber cloth for my Malm dressers and avoid harsh cleaners.

Unfortunately, many household cleaners or even home remedies can damage the surface. It might also be interesting to hear if others here use particular products that they have found to be safe. Protecting the surface is especially crucial with veneered or lacquered finishes.

Elias schrieb:
IKEA itself is somewhat cautious with care recommendations.

That is correct. Official manufacturer recommendations from IKEA specifically for the Malm series are not extensively documented, at least not in publicly available sources.

General furniture care notes: The Malm furniture is mostly made of particleboard with a melamine resin coating or a veneered surface. These surfaces are resistant to moisture and scratches, but abrasive cleaning agents should not be used.

Products such as gentle water-based interior cleaners or special furniture care products for coated surfaces are suitable.

I recommend:

- Cleaning with a soft, slightly damp cloth
- Avoiding abrasive sponges or cleaning agents
- Avoiding oils or wax care products, as these can damage the surface or cause uneven gloss

The IKEA website also provides care tips, but no specific product names. IKEA generally advises minimizing exposure to heat and moisture to prevent damage.

For more detailed information, it is advisable to consult the product brochures or contact IKEA customer service directly.

kloyamin schrieb:
Are there officially manufactured or recommended products from IKEA for the care of Malm furniture, or specific manufacturer recommendations regarding cleaning and protection?

I can add that IKEA indeed does not offer any dedicated furniture care products for the Malm series. This is likely because the furniture surfaces are mostly made of melamine-coated particleboard, which is relatively easy to maintain.

For cleaning, IKEA recommends wiping the furniture with a soft, damp cloth and, if needed, using a mild all-purpose cleaner that is suitable for painted or coated furniture. It is important that the cloth is not soaking wet and that any cleaning residues are thoroughly removed.

According to user experiences, common furniture care products like polish or wax should be avoided since they can leave unsightly streaks or greasy films on melamine-coated surfaces.

If scratches or more significant wear occur, IKEA also offers replacement parts (such as furniture fronts), as repairs on melamine surfaces can often be challenging.

In summary:
- No special IKEA care products for Malm
- Damp cloth + mild cleaner
- No polish or wax

If anyone has tips for removing small scratches, that would also be interesting.

I hope this helps a bit 🙂