ᐅ How can I gently remove stains from MALM furniture?

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a Malm piece of furniture from IKEA and noticed that there are some unpleasant stains on the surface that I want to remove very gently.

My question is, what methods or home remedies are best suited to remove stains from Malm furniture without damaging the surface?

The furniture is white lacquered, and I know that harsh cleaners often cause more harm than good. Are there any safe cleaning products or techniques that work well?

I look forward to your tips and experiences!

Hello, I would first try using a damp microfiber cloth with some mild soap. Do not use harsh cleaners or abrasive agents. Afterwards, wipe dry thoroughly.

Great question! 🙂 I have the same piece of furniture, and I always use diluted vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:10. Just slightly dampen a cloth, wipe gently without pressing too hard. This removes almost all stains and is very gentle!

I honestly wonder why everyone gets so panicked about stains on MALM? They are furniture, not artworks. A bit of cleaning can be fairly ‘robust,’ as long as you don’t use sandpaper. To be honest, many tips here are more myths than facts.

likuken schrieb:
A bit of cleaning can definitely be ‘robust’

I see this a bit differently: MALM has a coated surface that can be damaged by too much moisture or harsh cleaning agents.

My main concern is that this could lead to discoloration or dull spots afterward.

Does anyone have experience with surface or finish damage after cleaning, and how to prevent it?

As a general rule, caution is advised when dealing with coated furniture like MALM. I recommend using pH-neutral cleaners whenever possible and avoiding abrasive sponges. Water should also be used sparingly to prevent the surface from swelling.

A proven tip is to test the cleaning method on an inconspicuous area before treating the actual stain.