ᐅ Are there any tips for cleaning IKEA Hemnes furniture when you have pets?

Hello everyone,

I recently got the IKEA Hemnes furniture set for my home, and I live with two pets (a cat and a dog). Since Hemnes is mostly made of lacquered solid wood, I am concerned about the proper cleaning and care to protect the wood while effectively removing odors and pet hair.

Are there any specific tips and proven products you can recommend here in the forum for Hemnes furniture when you have pets? I am especially interested in acid-free and gentle cleaning methods that leave no residue and do not damage the furniture.

I am also open to care products that have a long-lasting effect and can help conceal scratches or small stains.

Thank you in advance for your experiences and suggestions!

I usually clean our Hemnes furniture when we have pets with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, without using harsh cleaning agents. I remove pet hair and dust beforehand with a vacuum cleaner or adhesive lint rollers.

For stains, I simply use warm water with a drop of mild dish soap and then wipe dry immediately.

Hello chenelard,

As you correctly pointed out, Hemnes is mostly made of solid pine wood with a white lacquer finish, so care must be taken when cleaning. Solid wood is sensitive to moisture and harsh cleaning agents.

My recommendation for cleaning with pets is a multi-step approach:

- First, regularly remove dust and pet hair. A soft cloth or an electrostatic duster works wonders, especially on edges and in crevices.
- For the actual cleaning, lukewarm water with a pH-neutral wood cleaner is suitable, ideally one designed specifically for lacquered wood. You can gently wipe the surfaces without damaging the protective layer.
- It is important to immediately dry the furniture with a soft, dry cloth afterward to avoid prolonged water absorption.

If you have minor scratches: a wax-based furniture polish can often mask these and slightly refresh the surface. However, you should test it first in an inconspicuous area to avoid any color changes.

Finally, to reduce odors from pets, I recommend occasionally airing out the furniture and, if needed, using a mild odor-neutralizing spray that is safe for wood.

One question: How do you protect against scratching with your pets, for example, do they use scratching posts? This is relevant because frequent scratches increase maintenance requirements.

chenelard schrieb:
Are there any specific tips and proven methods recommended here in the forum for Hemnes furniture when you have pets?

Effective cleaning is based on the following key points:

- Avoid harsh or acidic cleaners, as they can damage the painted surface of Hemnes furniture.
- Use a mild dish soap in lukewarm water to remove dust and pet hair.
- To remove pet hair before damp cleaning, use lint rollers or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.
- After cleaning, dry the surface quickly to prevent water damage.

This approach is supported by product manuals for painted solid wood.

Additionally, furniture wax or specially formulated wood polish can be used to strengthen the protective layer. However, their effect on pet odors is limited and does not replace regular cleaning.

It is also important that with heavy soiling, the furniture is cleaned spot-wise to minimize extensive exposure to water.