ᐅ After opening the window, my KALLAX board constantly attracts dust – how can I prevent this?

Hello everyone,

I have the following problem and hope someone here has a useful tip: Since I started regularly opening the window, my KALLAX shelf has been attracting a lot of dust. No matter if I have just cleaned it, after a short time there is already a noticeable layer of dust on it, almost as if the shelf is acting like a dust collector.

I suspect the airflow from outside is bringing the dust directly onto the furniture – it is positioned close to the window. However, the amount of dust is much higher than on other nearby furniture, which is really noticeable.

Does anyone have experience on how to best prevent or at least significantly reduce this kind of dust buildup specifically on furniture near open windows? I don’t want to have to clean constantly and am not looking for a solution that only involves frequent cleaning. Thanks for any helpful ideas or explanations about why the KALLAX might be particularly affected.

Tilt the windows more often instead of fully opening them; this reduces the amount of dust on the board. Additionally, regularly wipe surfaces with an antistatic cloth.

Haha, the KALLAX really seems to have become a magnet for dust particles 😂 Maybe the material or surface also contributes to this. I would try using a slightly damp microfiber cloth to see if it helps. Also, I really love air purifiers – they have worked wonders for me when the air kept changing. 🙂

JUHAU schrieb:
Tilt windows more often instead of fully opening them; this reduces the amount of dust on the board.

Thanks, that tip is very practical. I will observe how it feels in everyday use. However, I can’t always just tilt the windows; sometimes I need a lot of cross-ventilation.

marcosku52 schrieb:
Maybe the material or surface also contributes to this.

That’s true. The KALLAX has the typical melamine-coated surface, relatively matte and rough compared to high-gloss furniture. Maybe the surface builds up static electricity, causing dust to settle more easily.

Does anyone have more technical details on this? Are there antistatic sprays or surface treatments that can be applied to furniture without damaging it?

KALLAX surfaces are mostly made of melamine-coated wood-based panels, which are not particularly prone to static electricity. However, dust can still accumulate more quickly in dry air and with strong airflow.

To reduce this, I would recommend:

1. Regular damp cleaning with microfiber cloths, as they trap dust instead of dispersing it.
2. Anti-dust sprays are available, but check whether they are suitable for melamine-coated furniture.
3. Keep indoor humidity stable (between 40-60%) since dry air increases dust accumulation.
4. Use cross-ventilation rather than direct airflow towards the furniture when ventilating the room.

These measures help to reduce dust buildup.

Oh, I know that feeling! My KALLAX was actually my number one dust magnet during the summer – thanks to the open window 😊

A cool trick I once tried is placing a small row of plants between the window and the furniture. They act like natural filters. Not perfect, but they slow down the dust particles a bit and look much better than those annoying thick sprays!

It might sound simple, but it really helped me a little. Plus, a humidifier can work wonders with dry heating air!