ᐅ What is the best way to clean Ikea Hemnes furniture when you have pets?

Hello everyone,

I have several Ikea Hemnes furniture pieces at home, and since I have pets—particularly a cat and a dog—that spend a lot of time in the living room, I often wonder about the best way to clean these furniture items. I want to effectively remove scratches, pet hair, and any potential odors without damaging the wood or the surface.

My Hemnes furniture is mostly solid wood with a white lacquer finish, and I want to avoid using harsh cleaning products that could harm the finish. Are there established methods that are both thorough and gentle on the surface and the furniture overall?

I would appreciate tips on cleaning products, their dosage and application, as well as how often cleaning should be done to prevent long-term damage from scratches or moisture.

Thank you in advance!

Hello Keomeo,

First of all, it’s great that you want to treat the surface of your Ikea Hemnes furniture gently, especially since it is solid wood with a white lacquer finish. When you have pets, it is especially advisable to perform regular maintenance in several steps:

- Removing pet hair: Microfiber cloths work very well here because they gently pick up hair through static charge without scratching the surface.
- Cleaning more stubborn dirt: Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a pH-neutral dish soap diluted with warm water. It is important to make the cloth only damp, not wet.
- Stain treatment: If your pet spills something, it is best to wipe the spot immediately with a soft, damp cloth.

Important: Avoid harsh cleaners containing ammonia, alcohol, or abrasive scrubbers, as these can permanently damage the lacquer.

How often the furniture should be cleaned depends on its use. I recommend at least a general cleaning once a week, plus daily removal of pet hair, especially in high-traffic areas.

I wonder, do you use special protective measures like furniture pads on the corners to reduce scratches? Or are your pets large and active, increasing the wear? That can also affect maintenance.

Best regards!

Hi Keomeo,

I completely agree with John’s points but would like to add a few practical tips to help protect and clean Ikea Hemnes furniture in a pet-friendly household.

- Regular vacuuming or using a lint roller to remove pet hair often prevents dirt from building up quickly.
- For cleaning, I recommend simple dish soap mixed with lukewarm water. Make sure to wring the cloth well and avoid working with too much moisture.
- After cleaning, you can wipe the furniture with a dry microfiber cloth to reduce water spots.
- If small scratches do occur, sometimes a furniture touch-up pen in the right color can gently repair the white finish.

Since Hemnes furniture is quite sturdy, you can also occasionally try professional furniture care products with special wood lacquers. This offers extra protection against scratches and seals the surface.

Could you specify which types of damage or stains you notice most often? That would help make the advice even more targeted.

Best wishes!

Johnathon schrieb:
Avoid aggressive cleaning agents containing ammonia, alcohol, or harsh abrasives, as these can permanently damage the finish.

I fully agree with this. Here are some specific recommendations for cleaning Ikea Hemnes furniture when you have pets, especially with white lacquered solid wood:

- Remove hair and surface dust using soft microfiber cloths or dusters.
- Gently clean with a solution of warm water and a mild, neutral detergent (e.g., pH-neutral dishwashing liquid).
- Do not use household alcohols, abrasive cleaners, or aggressive chemicals.
- Always follow wet cleaning with a dry cloth to prevent moisture damage.
- For stubborn stains, you can use a soft sponge with lukewarm soapy water, but never soak the wood or use metallic tools.

Additionally, I recommend protecting movable furniture parts from mechanical stress caused by pets and treating the surface at least once a year with a care product suitable for lacquered wood, unless Ikea provides specific products.

Do you already have visible damage from the pets, such as scratches or discoloration? This information would be useful for more targeted advice.