ᐅ How do I clean Ikea Hemnes furniture if I have pets at home?

Hello everyone,
I have several Ikea Hemnes furniture pieces in our living room, and since we have pets—specifically a cat and a small dog—I’m wondering about the best way to clean and maintain them so they stay looking good for as long as possible without permanent damage or stains.

The Hemnes series is known to be made of solid pine with a white lacquer or glaze finish, which probably makes it a bit more sensitive than untreated wooden furniture. My main concerns are scratches caused by the pets playing or jumping, as well as dirt from fur and possibly small stains from saliva or paws.

Does anyone have experience with this? What cleaning products work best? Is it okay to use a damp cloth, or is it better to wipe with a dry one? How should I treat tougher stains without damaging the finish?

I would really appreciate any tips or advice on general care when living with pets!

The question about cleaning Ikea Hemnes furniture in homes with pets is well considered, especially due to the delicate lacquer finish.

In general, I recommend the following approach:
- Avoid using harsh cleaning agents or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the surface.
- Clean with a soft, lint-free cloth that is only slightly dampened. Water alone is usually sufficient for dust and pet hair.
- For tougher stains, a mild dish soap solution can be used, followed immediately by wiping with a dry cloth to remove any moisture.
- To prevent scratches, felt pads under decorative items help, and regularly trimming pets’ nails also reduces damage.

It is also important to avoid aggressive solvents such as alcohol, paint thinner, or ammonia on the surface, as they can harm the lacquer.

For extra protection, the furniture can occasionally be treated with a suitable furniture wax or polish designed for lacquered wood to strengthen the surface. However, caution is advised, and testing in an inconspicuous area is recommended.

Giagau schrieb:
Water alone is usually enough for dust and hair.

Exactly! You really don’t need a lot of chemicals – Hemnes is quite nice, but also pretty low-maintenance if done right. My tip: For pet hair, sometimes just running a dry microfiber cloth over the furniture works well.

If your little pet leaves a wet paw print, I also recommend wiping the area dry immediately to prevent unsightly stains.

And hey, I know how frustrating it can be when your cat uses the furniture as a scratching post – try these self-adhesive furniture scratch protection films. They are quite durable and almost invisible. Your furniture will thank you 😉

Here is a brief guide for cleaning and maintaining Ikea Hemnes furniture in homes with pets:

- Regularly remove dust, ideally using an anti-static microfiber cloth. Hair and dust tend to settle quickly otherwise.
- For daily cleaning, prepare a mild dish soap solution in lukewarm water. Lightly dampen the cloth and wipe across the grain.
- For stubborn stains: gently treat with a fine metal scouring sponge or a white eraser, but be very careful not to damage the paint layer.
- Afterwards, thoroughly wipe down with a soft, dry cloth to avoid any moisture residue.
- Avoid using aggressive or alkaline cleaning agents, as these can damage both the wood and the finish.
- Occasionally, it is beneficial to treat the furniture with a special furniture wax for painted wood surfaces; this helps protect and care for the finish.

I also recommend regularly trimming your pets’ claws and sanding down any sharp edges on the furniture if needed to prevent more significant scratches.

If anyone has additional tips, I would be interested.