ᐅ IKEA Malm Nightstand Water Stains – How to Remove Them?

Created on: 19 Nov 2021 08:17
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Lomarika65
Hello everyone, I have noticed water stains on my IKEA Malm nightstand that don’t come off even after regular wiping. The surface is lacquered, and I suspect these are white marks caused by moisture. Does anyone have experience or tips on how to effectively remove such water stains without damaging the surface? Maybe specific cleaning products or home remedies you can recommend? I’m reluctant to damage the lacquer, so I appreciate any well-founded advice.
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Mekau
20 Nov 2021 11:03
In my opinion, regular kitchen oil or ordinary vegetable oil, left to soak in, is sufficient. If you then polish the surface afterward, it usually looks better.
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Joe52
20 Nov 2021 11:45
lorena schrieb:
You should also check whether the nightstand is actually lacquered or melamine-coated

Good tip! It is really important to know exactly what you are dealing with before attempting any treatment. Thanks for the detailed advice!
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lorena
20 Nov 2021 12:37
Sure. If you like, you can also mention whether the table has new stains or if they are older, because with older water stains it becomes more complicated to remove the tension in the finish. When you treat the stain with heat, observe the surface reaction closely.
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Lomarika65
21 Nov 2021 09:29
Thank you very much in advance for the many helpful tips and detailed explanations. My stains are already a few weeks old, not fresh. I will try the polishing paste and carefully test the heat treatment before attempting more aggressive methods. The bedside table is lacquered, as is common with IKEA, not melamine-coated. I will get back to you when I have results or if more questions arise. Thanks, everyone 🙂
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sarla
21 Nov 2021 11:56
Lomarika65 schrieb:
My stains are already a few weeks old, not exactly fresh

This actually makes removal a bit more difficult because the moisture has been absorbed into the finish longer. Still, polishing paste is the safest option to protect the finish. I recommend treating the furniture piece afterward with furniture wax to help prevent future moisture damage.
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karlau
21 Nov 2021 13:04
I still believe that repairing older stains is not worth it. If the piece of furniture is hard to sell anyway, it won’t make a difference. It’s better to accept the damage and buy new. This endless repair mentality keeps the furniture market going — and it’s not cost-effective for us as consumers.