ᐅ How can MALM furniture be cleaned without damaging the finish?
Created on: 22 Jan 2021 09:13
D
doluren
Hello everyone,
I have several MALM furniture pieces from IKEA at home that I would like to clean gently. The main issue is that the surface is usually coated with some kind of lacquer, which can be easily damaged if the wrong cleaning product or a rough sponge is used. My question is: How can you clean MALM furniture without damaging the lacquer? I am especially looking for advice on suitable cleaning methods, recommended cleaning products, and materials to avoid scratches, dull spots, or discoloration. Are there any special procedures or products that have proven effective? I would be very grateful for any tips!
I have several MALM furniture pieces from IKEA at home that I would like to clean gently. The main issue is that the surface is usually coated with some kind of lacquer, which can be easily damaged if the wrong cleaning product or a rough sponge is used. My question is: How can you clean MALM furniture without damaging the lacquer? I am especially looking for advice on suitable cleaning methods, recommended cleaning products, and materials to avoid scratches, dull spots, or discoloration. Are there any special procedures or products that have proven effective? I would be very grateful for any tips!
I would like to add a critical comment regarding the vinegar tip. Although acetic acid is a natural cleaner, it can gradually damage painted surfaces, especially if the paint has a polyurethane or melamine coating, which is common with Malm furniture.
I recommend using only pH-neutral products instead and avoiding acids or bases. Additionally, you should avoid applying too much pressure with the microfiber cloth, as micro-cracks can develop. Sustainable and surface-friendly cleaning means using minimal chemicals and minimal mechanical force.
Has anyone here ever used pH-neutral products such as specialized furniture care sprays from professional suppliers? Do they work well?
I recommend using only pH-neutral products instead and avoiding acids or bases. Additionally, you should avoid applying too much pressure with the microfiber cloth, as micro-cracks can develop. Sustainable and surface-friendly cleaning means using minimal chemicals and minimal mechanical force.
Has anyone here ever used pH-neutral products such as specialized furniture care sprays from professional suppliers? Do they work well?
BAUEVA schrieb:
I recommend using only pH-neutral products and avoiding acids or bases. Exactly, good point! I rarely use vinegar water and only when heavily diluted and if I need to clean quickly. For regular cleaning, I definitely prefer pH-neutral cleaners that are gentle on the finish, thanks for the reminder!
I just wanted to add the vinegar tip as a home remedy. For anyone wanting to be on the safe side, professional furniture care products probably make more sense.
Hello everyone!
I find this topic really interesting and believe it largely depends on the frequency and type of use. If the MALM furniture is used only occasionally, regular dry wiping and dusting, as mentioned before, is sufficient.
For particularly stubborn stains, I have had good results with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water with a mild dish detergent. Important: make sure to dry the surface afterward!
In my household, this works well, keeping the surface with a matte-glossy finish without dull spots or scratches.
A small tip: always test new cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first. It’s better to be cautious before affecting the finish. This helps avoid unpleasant surprises. 🙂
I find this topic really interesting and believe it largely depends on the frequency and type of use. If the MALM furniture is used only occasionally, regular dry wiping and dusting, as mentioned before, is sufficient.
For particularly stubborn stains, I have had good results with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water with a mild dish detergent. Important: make sure to dry the surface afterward!
In my household, this works well, keeping the surface with a matte-glossy finish without dull spots or scratches.
A small tip: always test new cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first. It’s better to be cautious before affecting the finish. This helps avoid unpleasant surprises. 🙂
I’ve noticed a handy trick for Malm plaster that works quite well: after the usual cleaning with mild dish soap and a microfiber cloth, I occasionally use a soft cotton cloth, slightly dampened, to gently polish the surface. This restores a nice shine without applying too much pressure.
And yes, daily care is really the key. It helps prevent nasty scratches or dull spots.
It sounds almost too simple, but sometimes it’s the little things we overlook 😄
And yes, daily care is really the key. It helps prevent nasty scratches or dull spots.
It sounds almost too simple, but sometimes it’s the little things we overlook 😄
TEBILO schrieb:
I’m curious, do you tend to clean the furniture frequently with light surface cleaning, or do stains and other signs of wear often develop from regular use? Good question! In fact, I usually do a thorough cleaning of the MALM furniture about once a month and occasionally a light surface cleaning in between. So far, there have been a few minor scratches from daily use, but they don’t bother me too much. My biggest concern is the possibility of dull spots caused by improper care. That’s why your tips about gentle cleaning are really helpful.
For now, I’ll stick to pH-neutral cleaners and use cleaning agents like vinegar very sparingly.
Similar topics