ᐅ After dusting, the surface of the KALLAX appears less glossy – what can be done?

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the cleaning and surface care of my KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA. After dusting, I often notice that the surface looks noticeably less glossy and somewhat dull, even though I only wiped it with a slightly damp cloth.

I use a regular microfiber cloth without any cleaning agents, and until now, the surfaces always looked smooth and slightly shiny – but now it almost appears matte. Has anyone had similar experiences?

Are there any special tips or home remedies to maintain or restore the natural surface of the KALLAX without damaging the laminate or the material? Maybe advice on suitable cleaning products or specific wiping techniques?

I would appreciate your suggestions, as I want to keep the shelving unit looking visually appealing.

Tibope schrieb:
After dusting, I always notice that the surface of the shelf looks noticeably less glossy and somewhat dull

Hey, I know exactly what you mean – it can really be frustrating when you put in effort and the shine almost disappears. I’ve experienced this with several pieces of furniture, and most of the time it comes down to the combination of a microfiber cloth and slightly damp conditions. Sometimes, just the water together with the furniture surface makes it appear matte.

What I’d suggest is to gently polish the surface with a dry, soft cloth after wiping it damp to make sure all the water is removed.

Alternatively, it could be that static electricity has changed or tiny traces of grease (for example, from your hands) are causing the light to reflect differently.

Tibope schrieb:
Are there any special tips [...] or home remedies for preserving or restoring the natural surface finish of KALLAX to its shine?

I occasionally use a mixture of lukewarm water and a few drops of dish soap – but really sparingly, because too much soap can leave residue. Afterward, I polish it dry and usually that does the trick.

Maybe we can all try these tips and see what works best for you. You’re not alone with this issue. 🙂

Dusting with a slightly damp cloth can dull the surface. Follow up with a dry microfiber cloth to polish it.

Generally, do not use aggressive cleaners—only water with a small amount of dish soap.

Avoid wax or oil, as these often make films appear even more matte.

Tibope schrieb:
Are there any special tips or home remedies to preserve the natural surface of the KALLAX or restore its shine?

To break it down technically: The surfaces of the KALLAX are mostly made of wood-based material coated with melamine resin. This coating is not painted but rather a type of foil with a matte or satin finish.

Simply wiping it damp without thoroughly drying usually leaves a very thin water film, which refracts light differently and therefore appears dull. Additionally, even minimal residues from cleaning agents can affect the surface’s molecular structure and reduce its gloss.

My advice would be:
1. Do not apply water directly; instead, slightly dampen the cloth.
2. Immediately wipe off the surface until no moisture remains.
3. Avoid abrasive or oil-based cleaners, as they can make the foil dull.

If you still want to restore some shine, a special plastic or acrylic cleaner might help (please test on an inconspicuous spot), since it can remove residues and has a slight smoothing effect.

How often do you clean the shelf? If it’s too frequent, dust can just be spread around instead of being removed by vacuuming or dry cleaning.

Lastly, a question: Do you use the shelf frequently in daily life? Grease or dirt from hands or other materials might also contribute to the visual changes.

I look forward to your feedback, as that would allow for a more precise strategy.