ᐅ How do you clean Malm surfaces after renovations?

Hello everyone,

I recently renovated our apartment, and some Malm furniture (IKEA) remained in the living areas. After the renovation, a fine layer of dust as well as occasional stains from wall paint and painting tools settled on the surfaces of the Malm furniture.

My question is: What is the best way to clean Malm surfaces (especially the white and black-brown versions) after such renovations without damaging the finish?

Which cleaning agents and methods are recommended to remove both dust and more stubborn dirt like paint or adhesive residues?

I would appreciate any tips on how to keep Malm furniture clean over the long term, even with heavy soiling. Thank you!

Dust is best removed with a dry microfiber cloth. Stains such as paint or adhesive should be gently scrubbed with some warm water and mild soap. For stubborn residues, a sponge with a bit of isopropyl alcohol can help, but test carefully first. Do not scrub, as this can damage the surface.

Hello jogolo,

To clean Malm surfaces gently and thoroughly after renovations, I recommend the following approach:

1. Remove dust: Use a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth and carefully wipe the furniture surfaces. This helps prevent scratches caused by dust particles.

2. Treat stains: For paint residue or adhesive leftovers, gently soak the area with water and a mild dish soap. Then wipe with a damp cloth.

3. Tough stains: For more stubborn dirt, you can carefully use a cotton pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol – but first test this on an inconspicuous spot to avoid damaging the surface.

4. Appropriate cleaning cloths: Avoid abrasive sponges or scouring pads, as Malm surfaces are coated with a foil or lacquer that can be damaged.

5. Quick response: The faster you remove stains after they appear, the easier they are to eliminate.

Summary: Patience and mild cleaning agents are key. When dealing with paint, soak first instead of rubbing.

I hope this helps you!

nera59 schrieb:
For tougher stains, you can gently use a cotton pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol

This advice is basically correct, but I would like to ask: Are there any reliable tests or manufacturer guidelines that confirm this? In my experience, isopropyl alcohol can also damage coating on foil surfaces, depending on the concentration and contact time.

I think it is important that we not only share tips based on experience but also discuss the limitations of such home remedies.

Additionally, I have read in some cases that a specific plastic or furniture cleaner might be better than alcohol, especially for melamine furniture from IKEA, to avoid damaging the surface.

Maybe jogolo could also clarify whether it is the classic melamine resin foil or a painted surface, as this affects the choice of cleaning solution.

Thanks in advance for the helpful contributions.

To add some details: These are the common Malm dressers in white and black-brown, which according to IKEA are mostly made with a melamine-coated surface (melamine resin foil), so not a lacquer finish.

I definitely want to be careful, as the furniture is important to me and I don’t want to cause any unsightly damage.

The paint that appears on the surface is acrylic dispersion paint, which is hardly baked in or dried—more like sitting on the surface. Therefore, the cleaning agents should ideally dissolve the paint without damaging the foil. Further tips are very welcome.

Genevieve schrieb:
I think it's important that we not only share tips based on experience but also discuss the limitations of such home remedies.

Absolutely right.

Since Malm furniture is usually made of melamine-coated MDF panels, the following points should be considered:

- Avoid abrasive cleaners, as the surface can easily develop micro-scratches.
- Do not use aggressive solvents (such as pure alcohols or acetone) that can damage the coating.
- Instead, manufacturers usually recommend mild dish soap diluted in water or special furniture cleaners approved for melamine surfaces.
- For water-based paint, lukewarm water with a few drops of dish soap is often effective—nothing stronger.

If the paint is still wet, gently blot it with a soft, damp cloth without rubbing. For dried stains, a plastic scraper can be carefully used to lift paint particles.

I always recommend testing the cleaning product first on an inconspicuous area.