Hello everyone,
I have a question regarding the proper care of Malm furniture from IKEA. I own several wardrobes and dressers from the Malm series, which are made of lacquered wood or wood fiberboard. It is important to me to keep the surface looking good over the long term, without any streaks, stains, or damage.
What cleaning products and care methods do you recommend? Are there any special tips for avoiding scratches or treating minor damage? I definitely want to avoid using harsh cleaners, but I also don’t want to clean with just a damp cloth, since I’ve read that this is not sufficient.
How do you take care of Malm furniture, and what has worked well for you? Thanks in advance!
I have a question regarding the proper care of Malm furniture from IKEA. I own several wardrobes and dressers from the Malm series, which are made of lacquered wood or wood fiberboard. It is important to me to keep the surface looking good over the long term, without any streaks, stains, or damage.
What cleaning products and care methods do you recommend? Are there any special tips for avoiding scratches or treating minor damage? I definitely want to avoid using harsh cleaners, but I also don’t want to clean with just a damp cloth, since I’ve read that this is not sufficient.
How do you take care of Malm furniture, and what has worked well for you? Thanks in advance!
Hello Tu_pu,
great that you are addressing this topic in such detail – especially with Malm furniture, care is important because the surfaces are sturdy but not indestructible. Malm furniture is usually made of particleboard with a melamine resin or foil coating; some variants are painted.
First, when cleaning, avoid using harsh solvents or abrasive cleaners. The best option is warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap or cleaners specifically recommended for coated furniture. Important: The cloth should only be damp, not wet, to prevent water stains or swelling.
Scratches mostly occur from hard or sharp objects. So avoid rubbing with rough sponges or dirty cloths. Instead, use microfiber cloths that clean gently.
If a light scratch appears and the surface is painted, you can carefully touch it up with a furniture marker in a matching color. For foil surfaces, this is more difficult; a special repair paste or polishing wax might help, but be careful not to use too much and test first.
By the way, avoid prolonged direct sunlight – it can cause the surface to fade. Also, do not place hot or wet objects directly on the surface to prevent rings or discoloration.
What exactly do your furniture surfaces look like – more matte or glossy? And have you already tried certain products?
great that you are addressing this topic in such detail – especially with Malm furniture, care is important because the surfaces are sturdy but not indestructible. Malm furniture is usually made of particleboard with a melamine resin or foil coating; some variants are painted.
First, when cleaning, avoid using harsh solvents or abrasive cleaners. The best option is warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap or cleaners specifically recommended for coated furniture. Important: The cloth should only be damp, not wet, to prevent water stains or swelling.
Scratches mostly occur from hard or sharp objects. So avoid rubbing with rough sponges or dirty cloths. Instead, use microfiber cloths that clean gently.
If a light scratch appears and the surface is painted, you can carefully touch it up with a furniture marker in a matching color. For foil surfaces, this is more difficult; a special repair paste or polishing wax might help, but be careful not to use too much and test first.
By the way, avoid prolonged direct sunlight – it can cause the surface to fade. Also, do not place hot or wet objects directly on the surface to prevent rings or discoloration.
What exactly do your furniture surfaces look like – more matte or glossy? And have you already tried certain products?
bapar schrieb:
Avoid prolonged direct sunlight exposure – it can cause the surface to fade.I think this is often overemphasized. Sure, sunlight can affect materials, but Malm furniture isn’t exactly 18th-century antiques – they can handle quite a bit. If someone panics over every ray of sun, they might be a bit overcautious. Honestly: the furniture is meant to be used, right?
Rhett schrieb:
You avoid scratches by not placing sharp objects directly on the surface.That’s true, but stated so generally, almost any surface can be protected. I’d find discussions more interesting about what to do if the finish is already damaged. Because let’s be honest, none of us are hoarders treating their furniture like museum pieces, right?
I find the whole “care” of IKEA furniture often taken a bit too seriously. Those with some experience know: it’s better to take good care, but don’t panic over small dents or marks.
Hi everyone 🙂
I partly agree with karlau – yes, Malm furniture isn’t high-end solid wood furniture, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take good care of it, right?
Exactly! Furniture is supposed to be practical, after all. Still, it helps to keep a few basics in mind: as bapar already mentioned, avoid harsh cleaning agents, microfiber cloths are your best friend, and if something spills, clean it up right away – otherwise stains will set in.
And honestly, if there’s a small scratch here and there, it’s no disaster. I have a few pieces with minor marks myself – that adds character. 🙂
I also think it’s important not to use too much moisture. That’s a common mistake.
My tip: Just smile while you clean next time and don’t take it too seriously :-)
I partly agree with karlau – yes, Malm furniture isn’t high-end solid wood furniture, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take good care of it, right?
karlau schrieb:
Let’s be honest: The furniture is meant to be used, isn’t it?
Exactly! Furniture is supposed to be practical, after all. Still, it helps to keep a few basics in mind: as bapar already mentioned, avoid harsh cleaning agents, microfiber cloths are your best friend, and if something spills, clean it up right away – otherwise stains will set in.
And honestly, if there’s a small scratch here and there, it’s no disaster. I have a few pieces with minor marks myself – that adds character. 🙂
I also think it’s important not to use too much moisture. That’s a common mistake.
My tip: Just smile while you clean next time and don’t take it too seriously :-)
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