Hello everyone,
I have several Malm pieces of furniture from IKEA, made of solid wood or real wood veneer. I understand that proper care is especially important to prevent the surfaces from drying out or getting damaged. My question is: What is the best way to care for Malm furniture made of real wood? I would like to know which cleaning products are recommended, how often the furniture should be maintained, and if there are any special tips to help preserve the wood grain and avoid scratches or stains. I also want to avoid using products that could damage the wood from underneath or harm the finish. Thanks in advance for your advice!
I have several Malm pieces of furniture from IKEA, made of solid wood or real wood veneer. I understand that proper care is especially important to prevent the surfaces from drying out or getting damaged. My question is: What is the best way to care for Malm furniture made of real wood? I would like to know which cleaning products are recommended, how often the furniture should be maintained, and if there are any special tips to help preserve the wood grain and avoid scratches or stains. I also want to avoid using products that could damage the wood from underneath or harm the finish. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hello Repin,
Regarding your question about caring for Malm solid wood furniture: It is best to clean the wood regularly with a slightly damp, soft cloth and avoid harsh cleaning agents. To maintain the wood, you should apply a suitable wood care product designed specifically for solid wood or veneer every few months. Make sure the product does not contain any silicone or alcohol-based ingredients, as these can damage the finish or surface.
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations, as these can cause the wood to dry out and fade. For stains, it is best to act immediately with a dry cloth to prevent making the problem worse.
Hope this helps!
Regarding your question about caring for Malm solid wood furniture: It is best to clean the wood regularly with a slightly damp, soft cloth and avoid harsh cleaning agents. To maintain the wood, you should apply a suitable wood care product designed specifically for solid wood or veneer every few months. Make sure the product does not contain any silicone or alcohol-based ingredients, as these can damage the finish or surface.
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations, as these can cause the wood to dry out and fade. For stains, it is best to act immediately with a dry cloth to prevent making the problem worse.
Hope this helps!
Hello Repin,
I would like to add some details to erikpu’s comments, as caring for Malm furniture made from real wood requires a bit more attention than often assumed.
First, it’s important to distinguish between solid wood and real wood veneer, as veneer is thin and more sensitive to moisture. For cleaning, use a damp cloth—just slightly damp, never wet—to avoid swelling damage. Afterwards, wipe the furniture with a dry cloth.
Maintenance should generally be done every 3 to 6 months, depending on how much the furniture is used and the indoor climate. I recommend special care oils or waxes for solid wood, such as products based on beeswax or natural oils that penetrate deeply into the wood pores. These oils protect the wood from drying out and give it a satin finish.
Warning: Do not use regular furniture polish! Many polish products contain synthetic resins that form a film over the wood, which can be harmful over time. Also, avoid products with solvents, alcohol, or silicones.
For minor scratches, a repair stick in a matching color or wax tailored to the wood can often help conceal the damage.
One last tip: humidity plays a major role as well. Ideally, maintain around 40-60% relative humidity, since wood can warp or develop cracks otherwise.
How much light do your furniture pieces receive? This is also important for choosing the right care products.
I would like to add some details to erikpu’s comments, as caring for Malm furniture made from real wood requires a bit more attention than often assumed.
First, it’s important to distinguish between solid wood and real wood veneer, as veneer is thin and more sensitive to moisture. For cleaning, use a damp cloth—just slightly damp, never wet—to avoid swelling damage. Afterwards, wipe the furniture with a dry cloth.
Maintenance should generally be done every 3 to 6 months, depending on how much the furniture is used and the indoor climate. I recommend special care oils or waxes for solid wood, such as products based on beeswax or natural oils that penetrate deeply into the wood pores. These oils protect the wood from drying out and give it a satin finish.
Warning: Do not use regular furniture polish! Many polish products contain synthetic resins that form a film over the wood, which can be harmful over time. Also, avoid products with solvents, alcohol, or silicones.
For minor scratches, a repair stick in a matching color or wax tailored to the wood can often help conceal the damage.
One last tip: humidity plays a major role as well. Ideally, maintain around 40-60% relative humidity, since wood can warp or develop cracks otherwise.
How much light do your furniture pieces receive? This is also important for choosing the right care products.
TEBILO schrieb:
I recommend special care oils or waxes for solid wood, such as products based on beeswaxThat’s a good point; however, it’s important to keep in mind that not all woods and surfaces react the same way to waxes. Some veneers can discolor or change their color intensity when treated with oil or wax.
Basically: How sure are you that your Malm furniture is actually made of real wood and not an MDF panel with veneer? Care instructions can vary significantly in that case.
Also, it makes sense not to use any products blindly but to check IKEA’s manufacturer recommendations. When in doubt, it’s best to test on a small, inconspicuous area first.
I think a minimally invasive approach is advisable: don’t apply too much care product, and instead wipe down more often with a damp cloth. This helps to avoid damage caused by over-treatment.
Thank you all in advance for the helpful information!
@TEBILO: I hadn’t actually considered the humidity aspect. The furniture is placed in a comfortably heated room with a south-facing window that gets quite a lot of sunlight in the summer. I’ll have to pay attention to the related effects.
@silako: The furniture definitely has a real wood veneer, not MDF. I also checked the IKEA product description for the Malm series, and some variants actually list solid wood as the main material. So it could be a mix.
My question is: Are there any products that IKEA specifically recommends? Also, I’ve heard that household remedies like vinegar or olive oil are sometimes suggested—what are your opinions on that?
@TEBILO: I hadn’t actually considered the humidity aspect. The furniture is placed in a comfortably heated room with a south-facing window that gets quite a lot of sunlight in the summer. I’ll have to pay attention to the related effects.
@silako: The furniture definitely has a real wood veneer, not MDF. I also checked the IKEA product description for the Malm series, and some variants actually list solid wood as the main material. So it could be a mix.
My question is: Are there any products that IKEA specifically recommends? Also, I’ve heard that household remedies like vinegar or olive oil are sometimes suggested—what are your opinions on that?
Repin schrieb:
Are there any products that IKEA specifically recommends? Yes, IKEA offers its own care products, such as the "IKEA BEHANDLA oil," which is intended for oiled solid wood furniture. It is specially formulated for the surfaces of their furniture and usually consists of natural oils that protect the wood without leaving a heavy residue.
Repin schrieb:
I’ve also heard that home remedies like vinegar or olive oil are sometimes recommended. What do you think about that? I would rather advise against that. Vinegar is too harsh and can damage the surface, especially on lacquered furniture. Olive oil tends to leave the surface too greasy and often does not absorb properly; it can also go rancid and cause unpleasant odors.
My advice: If you prefer natural products, it’s better to use a high-quality care oil made specifically for wood. And if you have any questions, IKEA customer service can also assist you.
What type of wood is it exactly? Do you know more about the surface—whether it is oiled, lacquered, or veneered?
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