ᐅ How can I maintain Ikea BESTA furniture in a household with children and pets?

Created on: 3 Nov 2020 08:17
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DORIJO
Hello everyone, I have IKEA BESTÅ furniture in our living room that we use daily. Since we have small children and a playful dog, I’m wondering how to best care for and protect this furniture at home without limiting everyday use. I want to prevent scratches, stains, and general wear and tear, as cleaning with a damp cloth hasn’t been enough so far. Maybe there are special methods or products that are particularly recommended? I’m also interested in tips on how to make the furniture more durable against the daily challenges of kids and pets. Thanks for your experiences and advice!
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naujon
4 Nov 2020 08:52
Hello everyone, I am happy to provide a structured guide on how to care for IKEA BESTÅ furniture, especially when you have children and pets:

1. Regular Cleaning:
- Use a soft microfiber cloth with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning agent.
- Remove stains immediately to prevent deeper penetration.

2. Protective Measures:
- Install corner protectors on edges and corners.
- Consider treating furniture surfaces with clear furniture wax or polish to create a protective layer.

3. Surface Treatment:
- For foil fronts, it is recommended to clean without alcohol or solvents.
- There are special sealant products for laminate or foil surfaces that increase resistance.

4. Dealing with Pets:
- Cover resting areas or frequently scratched spots with washable blankets.

Finally, I recommend checking the furniture fittings once a year and lubricating them if necessary to keep doors and drawers operating smoothly over time.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions!
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DORIJO
4 Nov 2020 11:16
Laukau5 schrieb:
It would be helpful to know what types of scratches or stains occur most frequently for you, to make the advice more precise.

Thanks for asking! The scratches mostly come from the dog jumping on the furniture or running its claws along it. The kids often leave stains from drinks or craft materials. Sometimes food residues also stick and I then wipe them off with some warm water.
naujon schrieb:
There are special sealing products for laminate or veneered surfaces that increase their resistance.

That sounds interesting – could you give some examples of such products or tips on what to look for when buying something like this?
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renpeo
4 Nov 2020 13:45
Hello DORIJO, to address your situation, I would like to offer the following advice:

For protection against scratches from animals, a combination of protective fleece (floor protection films are also available for furniture) and regularly trimming your dog's nails is effective. This way, you can prevent multiple sources of damage.

For children, it helps to immediately absorb any spilled liquids with absorbent cloths to avoid damage.

As a care product, you can use special water-based furniture care products, as they are gentle and leave no residues. Avoid products containing silicones, as they can make future coatings more difficult.

A small tip: avoid vigorous scrubbing. It is better to wipe gently and repeatedly, which preserves the surface.

If you like, I can compile a list of proven products and applications for you.
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korosu
4 Nov 2020 16:30
Use felt pads on the feet to prevent scratches on the floor and furniture parts. For stains, warm water with a mild detergent is often sufficient. Acting immediately prevents long-term damage.