Hello everyone, some time ago I bought a Malm chest of drawers from IKEA, and after some use, unfortunately the corners of the drawers and partially also the front panels have started to show fine cracks. I am interested in how to reliably prevent cracks in MALM furniture. I suspect that the material and the load play a role, but maybe there are also tips on care or proper use that could help. Does anyone have experience or recommendations on how to protect MALM furniture from such damage? Thanks in advance!
This is great—so many details have already been shared here! 🙂 For my Malm dresser, I also always use coasters to prevent wet or hot items from being placed directly on it. I really feel this reduces stress on the material a lot!
And one more tip from me: Don’t overfill the drawers! I know the feeling when you try to stuff everything in and suddenly a corner cracks... That doesn’t have to happen! 🙂
And one more tip from me: Don’t overfill the drawers! I know the feeling when you try to stuff everything in and suddenly a corner cracks... That doesn’t have to happen! 🙂
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baAlejandr8 May 2022 15:20Tile63 schrieb:
I had the dresser placed next to an exterior wall, which can sometimes be a bit colder; do you think that could promote such cracking? Yes, that can definitely be an issue. Temperature differences between the cold wall and the warmer indoor air can cause stress in the material. A slight insulation or some distance from the exterior wall can help prevent this.
In summary, temperature and humidity control are essential to prevent cracking in MALM furniture. The particleboard construction responds to environmental influences by expanding or contracting, which can stress surfaces and edges. Even load distribution and regular inspection of fasteners further minimize mechanical stress. For cleaning, neutral, pH-balanced products are recommended.
Hey, good morning everyone! 🙂 I really appreciate how everyone here shares well-founded tips and tricks. From my experience with my MALM, I found that besides all the environmental factors, the way you use the furniture is also crucial. Since I started placing placemats under my decorative items and handle the furniture carefully when moving it, everything looks great.
Small changes in daily routine can sometimes work wonders! 🙂
Small changes in daily routine can sometimes work wonders! 🙂
Wesley schrieb:
Since I started using placemats under my decorative items and handle the furniture carefully when moving it, everything looks perfect. Exactly! Small mechanical stresses add up over time. Sharp-edged objects constantly rubbing against furniture edges can cause micro-damage that may later develop into cracks. A tip: soft felt pads under vases or other heavy decorations help prevent this process.
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reoleon479 May 2022 14:26Great tips here! I initially had issues with small hairline cracks as well, but since I consistently avoid stacking heavy items and always open the drawers gently, there haven’t been any new damages.
This really motivates me to keep up with furniture care! It definitely pays off 🙂
This really motivates me to keep up with furniture care! It definitely pays off 🙂
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