ᐅ Caring for IKEA MALM Furniture – Recommended Cleaning and Maintenance Products?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought an IKEA Malm bed and a Malm desk, and I want to keep these pieces of furniture as easy to maintain and durable as possible. My specific question is: which care products are best suited for the surfaces of Malm furniture? I am particularly interested in whether harsh cleaning agents should be avoided, which ingredients in care products are ideal, and if you can recommend products that both clean and protect without damaging the surface. I would also like to know how often the furniture should ideally be cared for to preserve both its appearance and stability. Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

Hello @usrumau, that’s a very good and practical question! MALM furniture from IKEA typically has a melamine resin coating, which makes it resistant to moisture and scratches, but you should still be careful when cleaning and maintaining it.

My recommendation is as follows:

1. Basic cleaning: Use mild cleaning solutions, for example a soft cloth with warm water and a small amount of dish soap. Avoid abrasive cleaners, glass cleaners, or alcohol-based products – these can damage the surface.

2. Care products: Special furniture care products based on beeswax or silicone-free creams are ideal for maintaining shine and protecting the surface. Products like “Pronto furniture polish” or “beeswax care” are often suitable; pay attention to the ingredients.

3. Application: Do not polish too often; once every two to three months is sufficient. Too much care product can leave residue layers and cause dull spots.

4. Be careful with stains: Wipe stains with a slightly damp microfiber cloth and dry immediately; avoid using overly wet cloths.

Summary: Gentle cleaning, targeted care with suitable products, and moderate use. If you want to check specific products, I can also give you some advice. 🙂

I would simply recommend using a damp cloth with a little dish soap. Avoid strong cleaning agents or alcohol! Wipe dry afterwards. Occasionally apply furniture wax, as it provides good protection.

Interesting, @harold mentions that melamine resin coating is durable against moisture but should still be maintained carefully.

harold schrieb:
Avoid abrasive cleaners, glass cleaners, or alcohol-based cleaners – these can damage the surface.

I would be interested in a reliable source or at least a manufacturer’s recommendation on this. Because you often read that glass cleaners, although solvent-based, are recommended for cleaning as long as they are diluted.

I am also skeptical about the claim that mechanical wear from polishing too often permanently damages the surface. Shouldn't this be supported by corresponding long-term studies?

In short: I think it’s important to critically question which tips are generally valid and which are just myths. Does anyone have official information from IKEA or independent tests? That would be enlightening.

LuMarcel43 schrieb:
I would be interested in a reliable source or at least a manufacturer’s recommendation on this.

Good point, so I quickly checked IKEA’s official cleaning advice for the MALM series: IKEA recommends avoiding any harsh or abrasive cleaners and suggests using a soft, damp cloth. They also warn against aggressive solvents, as these can damage the melamine coating.

LuMarcel43 schrieb:
I also have doubts about whether mechanical wear from polishing too often really causes permanent damage to the surface.

I’d like to add here: it’s not just about mechanical abrasion alone, but also about possible residues from care products if oiling or waxing is done too frequently. This can make the surface appear dull.

Summary: IKEA recommends gentle cleaning without aggressive substances. Care products are optional and should be used with caution.

If you like, I can share the link to the official care instructions.

Hello everyone, I agree with @harold and would like to add that with MALM furniture, regular and gentle cleaning is especially important. I have a MALM bed myself and have found that using a microfiber cloth and a pH-neutral all-purpose cleaner without solvents works best for me.

Occasionally, I apply natural-based furniture oil, which protects the surface without making it sticky.

It is also important not to use overly wet cloths, as moisture can seep in and damage the wood. Generally, cleaning every few weeks is sufficient, and applying a treatment twice a year is enough.

I hope this helps!