ᐅ How do I properly clean Billy bookcases without damaging the surface?

Thank you for the helpful tips so far.

One more question: How do you handle cleaning when the shelf has become slightly glossy over time and you want to clean the pieces to keep a more matte finish? Are there products that can gently reduce the gloss without damaging the foil coating?

Or is cleaning generally always done with the aim of keeping the surface intact, even if that means maintaining the gloss?

I look forward to hearing about your experiences.

ERDAL56 schrieb:
How do you handle cleaning when the shelf has become slightly glossy over time, but you want to clean it to a more matte finish?

Hello ERDAL56, basically, Billy shelves are designed to have a uniform surface texture, so the typical slight gloss comes from the laminate.

It is difficult to selectively reduce the gloss without potentially damaging or scratching the surface. Personally, I wouldn’t try to chemically alter the gloss, but rather focus on using a gentle cleaning method.

When cleaning, you could try using a slightly damp microfiber cloth and then quickly wiping it dry to preserve the original appearance. Excessive polishing, however, may actually polish the surface further and enhance the gloss.

If the gloss is bothersome, a matte laminate or suitable covering could be an alternative, but of course, that would be more elaborate.

My advice: Protect the surface instead and accept the gloss as part of the product.

ERDAL56 schrieb:
Or is cleaning generally always designed to keep the surface intact, even if that means it remains shiny?

Yes, exactly! The main principle is not to damage the surface. Any shine you see is part of the protective layer.

Targeted dulling is hardly possible without causing damage because you would have to use abrasive or scratching materials.

It’s best to follow the recommended care routine: regularly dust with a dry microfiber cloth and, if needed, gently wipe with a little water and mild detergent. Then dry immediately.

PeoDaniel schrieb:
Too much polishing can actually polish the surface and increase the gloss.

I can only confirm that. This way you avoid unnecessary damage and can enjoy your shelves for a long time. 🙂

A brief note on handling moisture: After cleaning, always wipe the surface dry with a cloth.

Moisture can cause chipboard to swell.

Therefore, avoid using overly wet cloths.

ERDAL56 schrieb:
Are there any products that can slightly reduce the gloss without damaging the foil coating?

That’s a good question. In my experience, there is no truly safe method to reduce gloss without some risk.

All products that dull the surface usually contain abrasives or solutions that can damage the coating.

If the surface appears glossy due to heavy use, it’s usually better to leave the furniture as is and maintain it with light cleaning as needed.

If you want to try anything, I would suggest using just a simple, soft cloth without any additives to avoid polishing or aggressive cleaning.

If you consider attempting to dull the surface, do so very carefully—preferably test on an inconspicuous area first.

I would like to add the following:

benon schrieb:
If you want to try something, I would recommend a simple, soft cloth without any additives, so it doesn’t polish or clean too aggressively.

That’s correct; aggressive or abrasive agents have the opposite effect and damage the surface more than they help.

You can also dampen the cloth with distilled water before cleaning. This prevents calcium deposits, which can sometimes make the surface appear dull.

And don’t forget: dust is always the main enemy that scratches the surface. So it’s better to wipe dry more often than too rarely.