ᐅ Repairing Scratches on BILLY Shelving Unit: Which Home Remedies Are Effective?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought a Billy shelf from IKEA that unfortunately already has some noticeable scratches on the surface, which I would like to fix. I’m now looking for proven home remedies that could help to disguise or at least significantly reduce these scratches.

The shelf has a white finish, so it’s not solid wood. I’d prefer not to buy expensive specialized products and would like to know which simple household remedies actually work on these kinds of finish scratches.

Has anyone had experience with this? Which home remedies are really effective for treating scratches on coated furniture, especially IKEA BILLY shelves?

Thanks for any tips!

For BILLY shelves, white toothpaste or furniture polish often helps. Simply rub gently with a soft cloth. Avoid using too much moisture.

Hello ustunon,

Regarding scratches on white, coated shelves like the BILLY, I recommend the following:

First, you can carefully fill in the scratches with white wax sticks (available at hardware stores), which helps to conceal minor damage quite well.

Second, some users have had good results with a mixture of sunflower oil and vinegar (ratio 2:1) – this visually reduces the appearance of scratches. Important: avoid using too much liquid and apply the mixture with a very soft, clean cloth.

Third, white toothpaste that is not gel-based, gently massaged in and then wiped off with a damp cloth, works well for superficial scratches but is not a miracle cure for deep damage.

The durability and effectiveness depend strongly on the surface texture. I would recommend testing first on a less visible area.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

Elijah42 schrieb:
White toothpaste or furniture polish often helps with BILLY shelves.

Really? Toothpaste on a shelf? Sounds almost like I’m brushing my teeth for the bookshelf 😂

Jokes aside: I once tried using lanolin grease on scratches on my BILLY shelf. It sounds strange, but it sits well on the surface and visually fills small marks. Just apply a little and rub it in.

Another tip: wood-tone wax crayons from craft stores also help on white-coated surfaces if you match the color.

If you like, you can try olive oil—I often use it for slightly dry shelves—it usually gives a nicer shine. Just be careful not to use too much, or the surface will stay sticky.

TRADI schrieb:
Fill the scratches carefully with white wax sticks (available at hardware stores); this effectively conceals minor damages.

Exactly, that is the most practical solution. Alternatively, repair kits from IKEA designed specifically for the BILLY also work well.

KNUTGI schrieb:
I tried using udder cream on the scratches on my BILLY.

Interesting, I hadn’t considered udder cream at all. Did it help in the long run, or is it more of a temporary cosmetic fix?

fiman schrieb:
Repair kits from IKEA that are specifically made for BILLY.

I actually didn’t know about those. Are the repair kits just color-matching markers, or do they also include treatment products?

I’m asking because I’m unsure whether I should focus more on caring for the wood or the finish, or if I should just treat it cosmetically.