Hello everyone, I am planning to transport some MALM furniture pieces from IKEA soon and want to make sure they don’t get damaged during the move. I am especially concerned about the painted surfaces and edges, as scratches and dents can happen very easily. Therefore, I have a question for the community: What proven methods and materials do you recommend to safely protect MALM furniture during transport? I am particularly interested in tips on professional packaging, proper handling when lifting, and any experiences with which packing materials are most effective. Thanks in advance for your help!
Hello FELIXPA, your question is really good and important, as MALM furniture is particularly vulnerable to paint damage and dents.
I recommend first removing all movable parts (drawers, doors) before transport. This way nothing can shift, and damage is minimized. Wrap each part individually in bubble wrap or several layers of blankets.
The edges are especially sensitive, so it is worth protecting them with foam edge protectors. Alternatively, you can cut thick cardboard pieces to cover the edges.
For secure transport in the vehicle, it is best to use tie-down straps to fix the furniture in place and place soft padding like blankets or foam panels underneath.
Also important: always lift with at least two people and carry the furniture mostly upright. This helps avoid uncontrolled impacts.
If you follow these points, you can reliably prevent most damage. Good luck!
I recommend first removing all movable parts (drawers, doors) before transport. This way nothing can shift, and damage is minimized. Wrap each part individually in bubble wrap or several layers of blankets.
The edges are especially sensitive, so it is worth protecting them with foam edge protectors. Alternatively, you can cut thick cardboard pieces to cover the edges.
For secure transport in the vehicle, it is best to use tie-down straps to fix the furniture in place and place soft padding like blankets or foam panels underneath.
Also important: always lift with at least two people and carry the furniture mostly upright. This helps avoid uncontrolled impacts.
If you follow these points, you can reliably prevent most damage. Good luck!
In addition to the previous posts, I would like to offer a brief guide that systematically walks through the transportation process:
1. Preparation: Make sure all screws and assembly materials are securely packed, ideally in a labeled bag.
2. Surface Protection: For painted surfaces, I recommend using soft fleece liners or special furniture blankets placed directly on the furniture to prevent abrasion.
3. Edge Protection: Use foam edge protectors, preferably U-shaped ones that fit snugly onto the corners. Alternatively, thick cardboard strips secured with packing tape have proven effective.
4. Packaging Technique: Wrap large surfaces with stretch film – this keeps blankets and edge protectors in place and provides additional protection against moisture and dirt.
5. Transport in Vehicle: Arrange the furniture so that pieces do not press against each other. Fill gaps with blankets or cushions for padding.
6. Handling: Carrying aids or furniture dollies can help move the furniture safely.
Common mistakes include skipping edge protection and stacking furniture without padding, which often leads to pressure marks.
If you like, I can also compile a list of materials.
1. Preparation: Make sure all screws and assembly materials are securely packed, ideally in a labeled bag.
2. Surface Protection: For painted surfaces, I recommend using soft fleece liners or special furniture blankets placed directly on the furniture to prevent abrasion.
3. Edge Protection: Use foam edge protectors, preferably U-shaped ones that fit snugly onto the corners. Alternatively, thick cardboard strips secured with packing tape have proven effective.
4. Packaging Technique: Wrap large surfaces with stretch film – this keeps blankets and edge protectors in place and provides additional protection against moisture and dirt.
5. Transport in Vehicle: Arrange the furniture so that pieces do not press against each other. Fill gaps with blankets or cushions for padding.
6. Handling: Carrying aids or furniture dollies can help move the furniture safely.
Common mistakes include skipping edge protection and stacking furniture without padding, which often leads to pressure marks.
If you like, I can also compile a list of materials.
LANICOLE schrieb:
Typical mistakes also include omitting edge protection and stacking furniture without paddingI want to point this out directly: Many people believe that simply placing a bare piece of furniture in a corner is enough. This is a misconception. MALM and similar products are not endlessly durable. The light finish and thin edges simply cannot withstand improper handling.
What I wonder, though, is whether it really makes sense to be tightly wrapped. Stretch film may keep out moisture, but it also prevents the wood from breathing.
A bit of 'air' around the furniture, in my opinion, provides better protection than an airtight wrapping. At least a gap of 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 inches) created by soft blankets can help relieve stress.
To discuss: How do you deal with the apparent contradiction between protecting against mechanical damage and allowing the natural movement of wood in MALM?
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