ᐅ How can I prevent dirt and dust from accumulating under Malm furniture?

Hello everyone, I have the following question: How can I prevent dirt from accumulating under Malm furniture? Specifically, with my Ikea Malm dressers, dust, crumbs, and small debris tend to collect underneath, which is hard to reach. Because of the low clearance from the floor, the furniture is difficult to move, and it’s quite inconvenient to regularly wipe or vacuum underneath. Are there any proven methods to prevent or at least reduce this buildup of dirt? For example, are there useful tools, special pads, or tips that can make cleaning easier? I look forward to your experiences and ideas!

Hello Pepojo, just place a few furniture sliders under the dresser to raise it slightly, which makes it easier to clean underneath with a vacuum or mop. Alternatively, you can put the dresser on a small shelf board with casters, so you can easily lift and move the piece to clean.

I know this problem all too well! :-)

I placed these small, thin plastic mats under my Malm cabinets, and it really helped a lot! The dust buildup has decreased significantly, and wiping down is much quicker. Just give it a try—I think it will help you too! Good luck 🙂

I can totally understand how annoying it is to deal with dirt accumulating under furniture. I experienced something similar and often felt like I could never keep up with the cleaning.

Pepojo schrieb:
Are there any proven methods to prevent or at least reduce this buildup of dirt?

One idea that helped me was to create a sort of barrier underneath the dresser using low-profile self-adhesive sealing strips. This stops larger crumbs from easily getting underneath. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s definitely better than before.

How do you handle it currently? Does it make you feel like you’re losing control over cleanliness? Maybe it also helps to regularly clean underneath with a microfiber cloth or a flexible dusting attachment. 🙂

I believe it is important to critically consider the question:

Pepojo schrieb:
Are there proven methods to prevent or at least reduce this accumulation of dirt?

Why does the dirt accumulate in this particular spot in the first place? In my view, it is mainly because the floor beneath the furniture remains untouched for longer periods, allowing dust and debris to gather there. So, the question of "preventing" it might rather be addressed through changes in usage or cleaning frequency.

Practical approaches like increasing the height of furniture by adding casters or glides are good, but consistent cleaning is just as important. Alternatively, one could look for furniture with a closed base at the bottom, reducing air circulation and dust entry. Is there also a way to seal the floor under the furniture or make it easier to maintain?

I doubt that this dirt accumulation can be completely prevented; it is more about acceptance and making cleaning easier.

I’m quite familiar with this discussion, as I have encountered similar issues several times with furniture placed very close to the floor.

Lisele schrieb:
One idea that helped me was attaching a kind of barrier made from low-profile self-adhesive sealing strips under the dresser.

That definitely sounds like a good approach. Personally, I have also used furniture skate boards, which are especially flat and equipped with casters, allowing me to slide the dresser completely to the side—this makes cleaning much easier. However, this requires some effort and you need to consider whether it fits your interior style.

By the way, I think the psychological aspect also plays a role: when you feel the furniture is practically stuck in place, you tend to avoid cleaning underneath. I’ve gotten into the habit of at least checking under every two weeks, which keeps it manageable.