ᐅ How do I remove stains from MALM wood?

Hello everyone,

I have several Malm dressers from IKEA in my apartment, mostly made of lacquered wood. Unfortunately, I have noticed various stains on them, especially water marks and some food residue spots. So, my question is: What methods, household remedies, or specialized cleaning or care products are really effective for removing stains from Malm furniture made of wood or wood-based materials without damaging the surface or harming the lacquer?

I have already tried cleaning with warm water and mild dish soap, but that didn’t work for some stains. I was also cautious using rubbing alcohol, as I didn’t want to damage the lacquer.

Looking forward to any tips—preferably with explanations of how they work or personal experience! Thanks in advance!

karpeo61 schrieb:
Which methods, home remedies, or specialized cleaning or care products are truly effective for removing stains from MALM furniture made of wood or wood-based materials without damaging the surface or affecting the finish?

In my opinion, people tend to be overly cautious with questions like this and often overengineer the solution. Sure, warm water with dish soap works for many stains, but why be so gentle with the finish?

Let’s be honest: these are furniture pieces with relatively thin veneer on particleboard, not antique solid wood tabletops. A few signs of use are normal and actually add character – this understanding is often missing.

If it’s really bad, just a little isopropyl alcohol or acetone-based nail polish remover (warning: always test on an inconspicuous spot first!) can often work wonders. Of course, there is a risk of slightly dulling the surface, but a bit of buffing afterward usually restores the appearance.

Active care products usually help less than people think – in my view, you should worry less about scratching the finish.

Based on the material characteristics of the MALM furniture, which typically features a layer of acrylic or polyurethane (PU) lacquer, the following procedure is recommended:

1. For fresh, surface-level stains, start with gentle cleaning using a soft, damp microfiber cloth and a small amount of mild detergent.

2. For stubborn water stains or deposits, diluted isopropyl alcohol (70%) can be used, applied with a soft cloth to avoid damaging the lacquer.

3. Acetone-containing products (e.g., nail polish remover) should only be used as a last resort and must be tested first in an inconspicuous area, as they can dissolve the lacquer layer.

4. After cleaning, surfaces should be treated with a specialized furniture care product designed for lacquered finishes to preserve the protective layer.

It is important not to use abrasive cleaners or scratchy sponges, as these may cause micro-scratches.

These recommendations are based on material compatibility and have been proven effective for lacquered MDF or particleboard surfaces, as used by IKEA in the MALM series.

Connor schrieb:
You risk a slightly duller spot, but a little re-polishing will make it look good again.

Connor makes a good point – but I’m quite relaxed about it: every mark is like a small story in the furniture, and if you want perfect high-gloss surfaces, MALM is probably the wrong choice anyway ;-)

From my experience, water stains often disappear after a short application of olive oil or, more traditionally, leather conditioner (no need to buy special products – just use some from a leather jacket 😉 ). The important thing is not to rub too hard, but gently and along the grain.

draleo schrieb:
After cleaning, surfaces should be treated with a special furniture care product for lacquered finishes to preserve the protective layer.

That’s exactly what works best for me – I use a polish with beeswax, which not only adds shine but also provides longer-lasting care compared to regular cleaning products.

You shouldn’t take the furniture too seriously, but with the right care, it stays fresh and beautiful for much longer. 🙂