Hello everyone,
I recently purchased some Malm furniture from Ikea, mainly dressers and nightstands. Since we have pets (a dog and a cat), I am concerned about how to properly clean and maintain these pieces without damaging the surfaces. Especially because Malm furniture often has a foil coating, which is not particularly resistant to moisture and harsh cleaning.
Does anyone have experience or tips on how to keep your Malm furniture clean with pets at home? Which cleaning products are safe to use on the foil coating? How do you deal with scratches or stains from pet hair, litter, or saliva? I want to prevent the surface from becoming dull or rough, or even the foil from eventually deteriorating.
Any help is much appreciated!
I recently purchased some Malm furniture from Ikea, mainly dressers and nightstands. Since we have pets (a dog and a cat), I am concerned about how to properly clean and maintain these pieces without damaging the surfaces. Especially because Malm furniture often has a foil coating, which is not particularly resistant to moisture and harsh cleaning.
Does anyone have experience or tips on how to keep your Malm furniture clean with pets at home? Which cleaning products are safe to use on the foil coating? How do you deal with scratches or stains from pet hair, litter, or saliva? I want to prevent the surface from becoming dull or rough, or even the foil from eventually deteriorating.
Any help is much appreciated!
Hello lopola,
I have two cats myself and several Malm furniture pieces in the living room, so I can speak from experience. It is important not to use aggressive cleaning agents, meaning nothing with solvents or abrasive ingredients. For the Malm surfaces, I use a soft, damp microfiber cloth with a mild soapy solution.
I always remove pet hair beforehand with a dry dust cloth to prevent it from curling or causing scratches. For stains or saliva, make sure the cloth is not too wet, as excessive moisture can cause damage.
If small scratches occur, sometimes treating them with furniture polish or care products designed specifically for laminated surfaces helps. But please test first on an inconspicuous spot!
In general: regular and gentle cleaning is better than cleaning rarely and too intensively.
I have two cats myself and several Malm furniture pieces in the living room, so I can speak from experience. It is important not to use aggressive cleaning agents, meaning nothing with solvents or abrasive ingredients. For the Malm surfaces, I use a soft, damp microfiber cloth with a mild soapy solution.
I always remove pet hair beforehand with a dry dust cloth to prevent it from curling or causing scratches. For stains or saliva, make sure the cloth is not too wet, as excessive moisture can cause damage.
If small scratches occur, sometimes treating them with furniture polish or care products designed specifically for laminated surfaces helps. But please test first on an inconspicuous spot!
In general: regular and gentle cleaning is better than cleaning rarely and too intensively.
Deandre schrieb:
For the Malm surfaces, I use a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth and some mild soapy water.I think that’s exactly the problem. Why does everyone always use these mild cleaning agents? Honestly, how often and how thoroughly do you really clean? Being too cautious too often can actually be harmful because dirt tends to stick more.
My theory is that you sometimes need to clean more intensively, even with laminate surfaces. For example, I use a common, slightly stronger furniture cleaner that doesn’t just clean the surface superficially but also warms it up slightly, which helps to break down animal odors and residues. Despite having three cats, my Malm furniture looks great.
This isn’t about using a “fabric softener” approach, but about the right method — and you do need to put in a bit of effort if you have pets.
Gilbert schrieb:
For example, I use a common, slightly stronger furniture cleanerThanks for the feedback, Gilbert! I’m curious which exact products you are referring to – and have you ever had issues with the surface of the laminate? I’ve often read that aggressive cleaners can visually alter the surface of Malm furniture.
Even with milder solutions, I wonder if constant moisture might eventually soften the edges or even cause the laminate to peel off.
If anyone has experience with how long the furniture lasts and what kind of maintenance is recommended, I would really appreciate hearing about it.
P
praWarre6923 Oct 2020 12:54Hey lopola and all other Malm caretakers!
I can share a few tips too – I have two dogs and a small flea who interact daily with my Malm tables and dressers.
1. Dry dusting is very important to prevent pet hair from being ground into the surface.
2. Damp cleaning should be done with very little water, ideally using a microfiber mop that is barely wet.
3. For stains, I occasionally use vinegar water (a mix of 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water) – it works wonders on odors and stains, but I apply it only spot-wise, as overuse can weaken the laminate.
4. When I notice scratches, I gently rub the area with a bit of olive oil; this restores a nice shine and makes the surface look well cared for.
With these little tricks, everything always looks great – and the fun with pets continues!
I can share a few tips too – I have two dogs and a small flea who interact daily with my Malm tables and dressers.
1. Dry dusting is very important to prevent pet hair from being ground into the surface.
2. Damp cleaning should be done with very little water, ideally using a microfiber mop that is barely wet.
3. For stains, I occasionally use vinegar water (a mix of 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water) – it works wonders on odors and stains, but I apply it only spot-wise, as overuse can weaken the laminate.
4. When I notice scratches, I gently rub the area with a bit of olive oil; this restores a nice shine and makes the surface look well cared for.
With these little tricks, everything always looks great – and the fun with pets continues!
praWarre69 schrieb:
I occasionally use vinegar water (a mix of 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water) – works wonders against odors and stainsVinegar water is not suitable for Malm furniture! The surface film is not resistant to acids, and this can cause long-term damage. Especially for furniture with a laminated surface, I strongly advise against using acidic or alcohol-based cleaners.
People often underestimate how sensitive the surface is. Even if it feels smooth, the laminate does not withstand wear and tear like real wood or painted finishes.
If you have really deep stains or scratches, replacement or buying new parts is often the only solution. I would recommend using mild cleaning agents and gentle care products instead. It’s better to clean frequently and carefully than to risk significant damage by being too aggressive.
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