ᐅ How can I make MALM furniture more durable?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought a few MALM furniture pieces from IKEA and have been using them in my apartment for several months now. I’ve noticed that the surfaces and drawers already show signs of wear, even though I believe I have been using them normally. My question is quite specific: How can I make MALM furniture last longer? What handling tips, maintenance advice, or structural modifications would you recommend to prevent the furniture from wearing out so quickly? I’m especially interested in tips for drawer slides, surface care, and ways to reinforce the furniture. Thanks in advance!

Hello, for more durable MALM furniture, I especially recommend treating the drawer slides with some silicone spray and avoiding overloading heavy items. Clean the surfaces regularly with a slightly damp cloth and do not use aggressive cleaning agents.

Your question is very good and important because inexpensive furniture like MALM often shows wear quickly. For the drawer slides, you can buy sturdy metal rollers and replace the original plastic gliders. Applying thin felt pads under heavily used areas also helps to prevent scratches. Regarding surface care: use microfiber cloths and furniture oil specifically designed for veneered surfaces to ensure long-lasting enjoyment. Wipe off moisture quickly to avoid damage.

Wow, it’s great that you’re paying such close attention to the durability of your furniture! 🙂 I lightly oiled the drawer slides—not too much, otherwise they attract dirt. Also, small felt pads under heavy decorative items on surfaces really make a difference. Additionally, when assembling, I glued the screws with wood glue to prevent them from loosening. A little effort, big impact! Good luck!

Thanks for the quick tips! I find the idea of replacing the plastic drawer glides with metal rollers particularly interesting. Does anyone know if this significantly changes the installation, or can the old runners simply be swapped out? Regarding maintenance, I’m also curious if any of you have experience with special protective coatings for the surface finishes. I imagine it could provide a good protective layer, but I’m unsure about colorfastness and possible application indoors.

Hey, you can’t always avoid a bit of DIY with MALM, but don’t worry! 😉 Replacing the usual plastic glides with metal rollers is usually an easy upgrade, sometimes you just need to drill a little more. For finishing: a satin furniture wax or a clear, easy-to-apply polyurethane works great – it gives a protective layer without ruining the look. Important: Always ventilate well while applying! Cover the floor properly, then it will work out fine. I’ve done this successfully myself.