ᐅ Ikea BESTA: How can I gently clean recessed handles?

Hello everyone,

I have noticed that the recessed handles on my Ikea Besta sideboard have become quite dirty over time and are slightly discolored in some areas. I want to clean the recessed handles gently without damaging the surface or dulling the finish.

Can anyone give me tips on the best way to clean the recessed handles, which cleaning products are suitable, and if there are things I should definitely avoid to preserve the material quality in the long term?

Thank you in advance for your experience and advice!

For the recessed handles, I always use a soft microfiber cloth with some warm water and mild dish soap. After cleaning, make sure to dry thoroughly to prevent water spots. Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners!

Tipuiu7 schrieb:
Can anyone give me tips on the best way to clean the handle recesses, which cleaning agents are suitable, and if there are things I should definitely avoid to preserve the material quality in the long term?

This is a very important and often underestimated question, especially since the handle recesses on the Ikea BESTA are often made of painted wood or MDF with a fine acrylic or melamine coating, which is sensitive to aggressive cleaning agents.

I recommend the following approach:

- Use only lukewarm water with a mild, neutral cleaning agent, such as a pH-neutral soap solution.
- Use exclusively a soft microfiber cloth or a soft sponge; never abrasive sponges or stiff brushes.
- Apply gentle pressure to avoid scratching the coating.
- After cleaning, dry the handle recess thoroughly to prevent water spots or swelling of the wood.

Important: Avoid alcohol, acetone, ammonia, or other aggressive solvents, as well as abrasive cleaners. While the surface is fairly durable, improper care can cause dull spots or small cracks.

I would also like to know whether the handle recesses are heavily soiled with grease or mainly dust and light deposits. This would influence the choice of cleaning process. Do you perhaps have children or a kitchen nearby, which could cause more dirt?

Le_kin schrieb:
I would also like to know whether the handle grooves on your unit are mostly dirty from grease or rather from dust and light deposits.

I think that’s important to know because the type of dirt can say a lot about how often you should clean and what cleaning products are suitable.

Personally, with my BESTA, I often felt the handle grooves became discolored from finger oils and light cooking splashes from the open kitchen. After trying a few methods, I got into the habit of cleaning them regularly with just a slightly damp cloth, so dirt doesn’t have a chance to build up.

Sometimes I’m also unsure because I worry about applying too much pressure or using the wrong product and damaging the surface. That’s why honest exchange here is really helpful for me—to approach cleaning calmly without risking too much out of fear.