ᐅ How do I clean MALM surfaces after renovation work?

Soften the adhesive with warm water and then remove it with a plastic scraper.

Acrylic paint spots can often be removed with water and dish soap if they are not too old. Otherwise, treat the affected areas selectively with isopropanol.

Good morning, I’d like to share my experience:

I tried the method with lukewarm water and dish soap, using a soft microfiber cloth, and I was able to remove the adhesive residues. However, it took quite some time, and I had to re-wet the cloth several times.

I tested isopropanol very carefully on a small area only; there were no visible changes to the surface. It removed the paint a bit better, but I cleaned the area with water right afterward.

The tip about the eraser (BOMILAN) is great. I had a white eraser and was able to gently remove some stains without damaging the surface.

For anyone facing similar issues: take your time and avoid aggressive agents or abrasive tools!

Thanks for the helpful contributions here!

fartu schrieb:
Take your time and avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive tools!

It’s great that you summarized it like this. Especially when working with melamine, it’s easy to cause damage if you apply too much force or use the wrong products without thinking. It’s good that you stick to gentler methods.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad to hear you achieved good results. I would also recommend occasionally following up the cleaning with a furniture care product specifically designed for melamine. This keeps the surfaces looking well maintained and helps to mask small micro-scratches.

One quick question for the experts:

Can I simply use regular furniture polish for maintenance after cleaning, or should I look for any specific products? Is there anything that should definitely be avoided with the Malm furniture type?