ᐅ How do I clean IKEA Hemnes furniture to remove stubborn stains?

For really stubborn stains, it can sometimes help to gently roughen the surface with fine abrasive fleece. Afterwards, treat the area with furniture oil. However, be careful: only attempt this if you are experienced with handling furniture.

My tip: Apply cooking oil to the stain, let it sit briefly, then wipe off with a soft dishcloth. This works quite well on grease and oil stains.

Hello Sehapa, I understand your concern about the paint finish well. For stubborn stains on painted wooden furniture, I recommend the following: - First, try using lukewarm water and dish soap - If that doesn’t work, use a mild vinegar-water mixture or a very diluted citric acid solution - Never use sandpaper or strong solvents - Afterwards, treat the surface with a care oil or paint refresher For gentle cleaning, a soft wool cloth is also ideal. I find that a bit of patience often helps too – rarely try to remove stains all at once. If you like, I can recommend a homemade paste made from baking powder and water, which I use on similar furniture.

Thanks for all your helpful tips! I’d like to be a bit more specific: The ugly stains are partly old paint residues from adhesive tape, but also oil stains, probably from food. I prefer to avoid using chemicals. Do you think a baking soda paste or vinegar solution is suitable or rather risky for paint residues? And how strongly can I apply the pastes without damaging the finish? I want to avoid sanding the furniture and achieve results as gently as possible.

Sehapa schrieb:
Do you think baking soda paste or vinegar solution is suitable for paint residues, or is it rather risky?

When dealing with paint or adhesive residues, I would actually be cautious about using vinegar, as it might dull the finish. I would recommend trying the baking soda paste very gently, preferably on a hidden spot first. If you don’t rub too hard, it can help without damaging the surface. If the residue is really stubborn, there are also special adhesive removers available, but they should ideally be designed for painted furniture. Otherwise, always rinse with clean water afterward and let it dry well. Don’t get discouraged – sometimes repeated gentle application works better than vigorous scrubbing.

Sehapa schrieb:
I don’t want to sand the furniture; I’d prefer to proceed as gently as possible.

That is completely understandable. For paint and adhesive residues, I recommend carefully removing them before cleaning using a soft scraper or a plastic card to avoid scratching the finish. Then, apply a little oil (e.g., olive oil) briefly to soften any sticky residues. After that, clean with a mild detergent. A baking soda paste is a good option but should be used very gently. Vinegar can damage the finish, so I would generally avoid it, especially with paint stains. In the end, patience and gentle treatment are key, as mentioned.