ᐅ How can I maintain Ikea BESTA furniture in a household with children and pets?

Hello everyone, I have IKEA BESTÅ furniture in our living room that we use daily. Since we have small children and a playful dog, I’m wondering how to best care for and protect this furniture at home without limiting everyday use. I want to prevent scratches, stains, and general wear and tear, as cleaning with a damp cloth hasn’t been enough so far. Maybe there are special methods or products that are particularly recommended? I’m also interested in tips on how to make the furniture more durable against the daily challenges of kids and pets. Thanks for your experiences and advice!

Hello DORIJO, your topic is very important! Especially with small children and pets, things can quickly become chaotic, but the IKEA BESTÅ system is actually quite easy to maintain! I often use simple household remedies that are gentle, like water with a little mild dish soap – this removes most stains without damaging the surface. And very important: avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive sponges, as they can ruin the material!

Additionally, I have fitted self-adhesive edge protectors, available at hardware stores, to the edges and corners of our BESTÅ units. These protect against scratches and are great for children who tend to bump into things. For pets, small fabric cloths on the shelves help prevent claw marks.

Don’t be discouraged – there are good ways to manage life with furniture alongside children and pet-related challenges! Just give it a try and feel free to share what works best for you! 🙂

Hello DORIJO, to ensure sustainable care of the BESTÅ furniture, you should keep the following points in mind:

- Avoid using harsh solvents. The surfaces are usually laminated or coated and are sensitive to strong chemicals.
- Regularly wipe the surfaces with a soft microfiber cloth; this is both thorough and gentle.
- Observe the maximum load capacity of the shelves to prevent deformation, especially with toys or heavier items.
- For scratch protection, you can use clear protective films specifically designed for furniture; they can be removed and replaced without leaving residue.
- Make sure no liquids remain on the furniture for extended periods – they can penetrate the material and cause swelling.

It would also be helpful to know which types of scratches or stains occur most frequently with your furniture, so the advice can be tailored more precisely.

In short and clear terms: Always clean with a damp cloth and a neutral cleaning agent, avoiding abrasive brushes. Install edge protectors if children frequently bump into corners. Use furniture protectors if pets scratch the surfaces.

Interesting question, DORIJO. However, I would like to point out critically that many common tips, such as using edge protectors or mild cleaners, may not be sufficient to actually prevent long-term damage.

I think it makes more sense to consider how to provide the furniture with durable surfaces or whether prevention through behavioral guidelines for children and pets would be more effective—although admittedly difficult to implement.

Are there any reliable studies or long-term experience regarding the durability of the BESTÅ fronts under such conditions? I am open to new research, but without solid data, much of this is, in my opinion, purely theoretical.

Natan schrieb:
I think it’s more useful to consider how to give furniture durable surfaces or whether prevention through behavioral rules for children and pets is more effective

I completely agree, but in everyday life with kids and pets, it’s often difficult to put into practice! That’s why it’s even more important to care for furniture – and when the little ones are sometimes the culprits, being able to clean quickly and effectively really helps!

We have actually found that special furniture sealants work well, which you can apply after cleaning like a wax or protective varnish. This provides good additional protection against small scratches and stains. Of course, it doesn’t replace training, but it definitely reduces the damage!