ᐅ How do I care for Ikea Hemnes furniture when there are pets in the house?
Created on: 28 Feb 2021 19:23
L
Lagochen
Hello everyone,
I recently have several Ikea Hemnes furniture pieces in my living room, and I have a problem because I have pets in the house—specifically, two cats who like to scratch furniture and sometimes leave small marks with their claws. Since Hemnes furniture is mostly made of solid wood and has a special finish, I’m wondering how to best care for it while protecting it from damage.
Are there proven methods to protect the wood or remove minor scratches without harming the furniture with harsh cleaning products? What care products would you recommend if you have pets that often use their claws around the furniture? And how do you generally handle cleaning the surfaces to keep them durable and looking good?
I’m looking forward to tips and tricks that are especially suitable for Ikea Hemnes—particularly when there are pets in the household. Thanks in advance!
I recently have several Ikea Hemnes furniture pieces in my living room, and I have a problem because I have pets in the house—specifically, two cats who like to scratch furniture and sometimes leave small marks with their claws. Since Hemnes furniture is mostly made of solid wood and has a special finish, I’m wondering how to best care for it while protecting it from damage.
Are there proven methods to protect the wood or remove minor scratches without harming the furniture with harsh cleaning products? What care products would you recommend if you have pets that often use their claws around the furniture? And how do you generally handle cleaning the surfaces to keep them durable and looking good?
I’m looking forward to tips and tricks that are especially suitable for Ikea Hemnes—particularly when there are pets in the household. Thanks in advance!
Regarding cleaning and maintenance of Ikea Hemnes furniture when you have pets, I can add that it is important not to clean the furniture too wet. Wood absorbs moisture and can warp as a result.
I recommend using slightly dampened cotton cloths or microfiber cloths for cleaning. Wax products can help mask scratches but should not be used too often to avoid softening the surface too much.
For cats, alongside providing scratching boards, you should also regularly replace or rotate claw toys to prevent the furniture from becoming interesting in the first place.
I recommend using slightly dampened cotton cloths or microfiber cloths for cleaning. Wax products can help mask scratches but should not be used too often to avoid softening the surface too much.
For cats, alongside providing scratching boards, you should also regularly replace or rotate claw toys to prevent the furniture from becoming interesting in the first place.
Hello Lagochen,
I completely understand your concern. The Hemnes furniture is beautiful, but having pets requires some extra care.
Here are a few tried-and-tested maintenance tips:
- When dusting, always use a soft cloth and follow the direction of the wood grain.
- Ensure regular oiling or waxing, making sure the products used are compatible with the furniture.
- To prevent scratches, felt pads on edges or table corners are useful, especially if pets tend to bump into them.
Additionally, it helps to provide your cats not only with traditional scratching posts but also with scratch mats or horizontal wooden surfaces as alternative options.
If scratches do occur, you can carefully touch them up with a suitable wax stick and then gently polish the area.
I hope this helps!
I completely understand your concern. The Hemnes furniture is beautiful, but having pets requires some extra care.
Here are a few tried-and-tested maintenance tips:
- When dusting, always use a soft cloth and follow the direction of the wood grain.
- Ensure regular oiling or waxing, making sure the products used are compatible with the furniture.
- To prevent scratches, felt pads on edges or table corners are useful, especially if pets tend to bump into them.
Additionally, it helps to provide your cats not only with traditional scratching posts but also with scratch mats or horizontal wooden surfaces as alternative options.
If scratches do occur, you can carefully touch them up with a suitable wax stick and then gently polish the area.
I hope this helps!
A brief experience report from me: In our house, we have also treated the Hemnes furniture with furniture oil from Ikea – it absorbs quickly and does not leave an unpleasant residue that might encourage the cats to scratch.
Additionally, I can confirm that cats often deliberately scratch untreated or rough spots. That’s why it’s great if you develop a routine to quickly maintain such areas before the damage becomes worse.
You can do it! Stay consistent, and the furniture will stay looking good for a long time.
Additionally, I can confirm that cats often deliberately scratch untreated or rough spots. That’s why it’s great if you develop a routine to quickly maintain such areas before the damage becomes worse.
You can do it! Stay consistent, and the furniture will stay looking good for a long time.
I think a discussion about furniture care when living with pets highlights once again how contradictory our expectations are. On one hand, we want natural, untreated materials, but on the other, a perfect surface without any scratches.
I agree with that. Try to see Hemnes as living furniture that gains character through its small signs of use.
Of course, prevention is important, but natural aging always requires some care and tolerance—especially when you have pets in the home.
Gilbert schrieb:
Maybe we should just accept that having animals means the furniture will age naturally, including small scratches and marks.
I agree with that. Try to see Hemnes as living furniture that gains character through its small signs of use.
Of course, prevention is important, but natural aging always requires some care and tolerance—especially when you have pets in the home.
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