Hello everyone, I have a serious problem with some stains on my Malm furniture from IKEA. The issue mainly concerns white, painted surfaces where ugly marks have formed from water rings and light paint splatters, which cannot be removed by normal wiping. My question is: How can I effectively remove these stains from Malm furniture with minimal damage? Are there any special home remedies or recommended cleaning products that are suitable? What precautions should I take to avoid scratching or discoloring the surface? I have already tried several things, from soapy water to vinegar, but so far without lasting success. I would be very grateful for any tips and experiences!
enrique7 schrieb:
the white lacquer surface of the Malm is a plastic coating, not a traditional paint finish That's absolutely correct, many people underestimate this! 🙂 I also occasionally use damp cleaning wipes designed for plastic surfaces, but not the overly harsh ones.
By the way: For stubborn stains, you can sometimes try a gentle eraser – it has helped me with minor scratches before. But be very careful to avoid causing any damage.
TRA33 schrieb:
For Malm furniture, a soft cloth with some dish soap and water is often enough I find this problematic because dish soap can leave residues that may attract dirt later on. It is better to use products specifically labeled as furniture cleaners for plastic surfaces. Also important: wipe the surface with a dry cloth after cleaning to reduce static charge.G
GUSTAVO5630 Apr 2021 15:22Natan schrieb:
Products specifically designed as furniture cleaners for plastic surfaces are better. Exactly, from a technical perspective, these are formulated to remove dirt without altering the melamine/plastic coating or containing micro-abrasive components. In cases where stains are caused by color residues (e.g., felt-tip pens or coffee stains), alcohol-based cleaners can be used for further treatment. However, caution is advised! Always perform spot tests beforehand.
One more tip: If the furniture appears dull, a mild furniture polish or even a car polish-free wax treatment applied with a soft sponge can help. When used correctly, the surface is not polished but only lightly sealed to provide longer-lasting protection.
J
jordanvin1 May 2021 08:44So everyone, I just wanted to quickly share a little success! 🙂 I tried the method with some olive oil, and after polishing it twice, my Malm shelf looks much better. Some water stains have significantly faded. It’s really satisfying to see that it worked! Thanks to everyone for the tips! Now I’m going to try the other products to get even better results. So stay tuned, you’re awesome! ;-)
Glad to hear you're making progress, jordanvin! 🙂 I also want to mention that with these stains, it's often not just about cleaning them but also thinking about how to protect the furniture moving forward. For example, using coasters for glasses or avoiding placing items with strong colors or liquids directly on the surface. Over time, you learn that prevention is often better than fixing damage afterward.
@pukin55: Don’t stress yourself; sometimes furniture just needs a bit of care and time. You might also want to take breaks in between so you can tackle the steps with a fresh approach.
@pukin55: Don’t stress yourself; sometimes furniture just needs a bit of care and time. You might also want to take breaks in between so you can tackle the steps with a fresh approach.
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