ᐅ How do I clean Malm furniture to remove grease stains?

Hello everyone,

I have several Malm furniture pieces from IKEA in my apartment that I really like, but unfortunately a very stubborn grease stain has formed on the surface of one of the sideboards. The furniture is made of coated material, not solid wood. Of course, I don’t want to damage the piece by using overly aggressive cleaners or scrubbing too hard.

My question is: How can I properly clean Malm furniture when there are grease stains? Which cleaning agents and methods are advisable to remove the grease stain without harming the surface? Are there any home remedies you would recommend, or are special products better?

Maybe someone here has experience and can share some good advice. Thanks in advance for reading and responding!

Hello fuchen10,

first of all, good decision to proceed carefully, as the coated surfaces of Malm furniture really don’t tolerate aggressive cleaners.

fuchen10 schrieb:
How can I properly clean Malm furniture if there are grease stains on it?

I recommend starting with a mild dish soap solution, meaning a drop of dishwashing liquid dissolved in lukewarm water. Lightly dampen a soft cloth with it and gently wipe the stain. Important: Don’t use too much water and don’t rub too hard to avoid damaging the coating.

If the stain is still visible afterward, you can carefully try a glass cleaner. However, this is not suitable for every stain, so always test first in an inconspicuous area.

Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh solvents (such as alcohol or acetone) at all costs. They quickly attack the surface and leave dull spots.

From a technical perspective: IKEA Malm furniture is coated with melamine, which is resistant to grease but can be sensitive to solvents and strong cleaning agents.

Ulrichta schrieb:
I recommend starting with mild dish soap mixed in lukewarm water—just a drop of dishwashing detergent dissolved in lukewarm water.

That is absolutely correct. Additionally, I would suggest wiping down afterward with a lint-free microfiber cloth to remove any residue.

A cleaner with a neutral pH is also suitable. If the grease stain is very old and ingrained, testing a grease-dissolving but gentle cleaner, such as an orange oil-based cleaner, is advisable—however, use it carefully and test it on a less visible area first.

Summary:
- No alcohol or abrasive cleaners
- Mild dish soap + lukewarm water
- Use a microfiber cloth
- If necessary, carefully test an orange oil-based cleaner

I would first try using warm water and dish soap.

Grease stains usually come off easily this way.

If not, then carefully use a window cleaner, but never scrub.

Grease stains on Malm furniture are really annoying. My tip: Don’t try to remove a rapeseed oil spill directly; instead, treat it with a degreasing agent.

Mild dish soap mixed with water usually works well on the stain. Important: After cleaning, wipe down the surface again with a clear, slightly damp cloth.

In short: Use soapy water, apply gently without soaking. Then wipe dry. For stubborn stains, try glass cleaner, but test it on a small area first.