ᐅ How can I remove adhesive residue after assembling Malm furniture?

Hello everyone,

I recently noticed, while assembling my Malm chest of drawers, that sticky glue residues formed at some of the joints after fitting the individual parts together. Although these glue residues are not large, they are visible and detract from the otherwise clean finish of the furniture. I would like to know: What is the most effective way to remove these glue residues after assembling Malm furniture without damaging or scratching the surface? Which methods or products have proven to be effective for removing these residues thoroughly yet gently? I look forward to your tips!

Hey kelau!

Great question, this often happens with furniture and can be really annoying! 😊

What has always worked well for me is warm water with a mild dish soap and a soft cloth – just let it soak, then gently rub. If that’s not enough, I use isopropyl alcohol (cleaning alcohol) – it removes adhesive residues very effectively while being gentle on the surface. But be careful: always test on an inconspicuous spot first!

Don’t be too aggressive, or you might leave marks. You’ve got this! :-)

Simply scrape off carefully with a plastic putty knife, then apply a drop of nail polish remover (acetone-free) to a cloth and wipe off the adhesive residues. Afterwards, wipe again with a damp cloth. Done.

Hello kelau,

to answer your question thoroughly, we need to go into a bit more detail because the type of glue residue and the surface condition of the Malm furniture play a major role. Often, the adhesive residue is common white glue or solvent-based glue.

An optimal first step is mechanical removal: use a plastic scraper, never metal, to avoid scratches. After that, I recommend treating the affected areas with isopropanol. Isopropanol removes many glue residues without deeply penetrating the surface.

If that is not enough, you can use acetone-free nail polish remover, but be sure to test it on an inconspicuous spot first and keep the application time short. Afterwards, always wipe thoroughly with clear water and a soft cloth.

Please let us know if the surface is painted, veneered, or laminated, as this helps in choosing the right solvent.

Good luck!

Residue from adhesive is best softened by soaking with olive oil, then rubbed off gently with a soft cloth. This method is quick and gentle on the surface.

ronAlberto schrieb:

Please tell me whether the surface is painted, veneered, or laminated

Thanks for asking! The surface of my Malm cabinet is laminated in white, meaning it has a rather delicate plastic finish. It is definitely not painted nor real wood veneer. The goal is to remove the adhesive residue without damaging the laminate or leaving unsightly dull spots. Which solvents or methods are best suited for this type of surface?