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tiaiden4130 Sep 2018 18:37Hello everyone,
I have a white IKEA Malm chest of drawers that unfortunately has discoloration in some areas. These are light yellowish stains, which probably developed from prolonged contact with plastic items or possibly heat. I have already tried several cleaning products, but without success – some even seem to slightly damage the surface.
My question is: What methods or products would you recommend to effectively remove these stains from an IKEA Malm chest of drawers without damaging the surface? Are there any special cleaners, home remedies, or techniques that have proven successful?
I would be very grateful for any advice or tips, as I would like to keep the chest of drawers and avoid having to replace it if possible.
I have a white IKEA Malm chest of drawers that unfortunately has discoloration in some areas. These are light yellowish stains, which probably developed from prolonged contact with plastic items or possibly heat. I have already tried several cleaning products, but without success – some even seem to slightly damage the surface.
My question is: What methods or products would you recommend to effectively remove these stains from an IKEA Malm chest of drawers without damaging the surface? Are there any special cleaners, home remedies, or techniques that have proven successful?
I would be very grateful for any advice or tips, as I would like to keep the chest of drawers and avoid having to replace it if possible.
Hey tiaiden41, this is a really common issue that many people have with the Malm dresser! :-) I’ve experienced it myself, and it can be quite frustrating when the nice white surfaces suddenly show stains or discoloration. But don’t worry – in most cases, you can get it off again quite well.
I’ve had great results using a mild cleaning eraser (also known as cleaning sponges that work like fine melamine foam). They usually remove the discoloration quite effectively. It’s important to test it first on an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t scratch the surface.
Also, you could try gently applying vinegar water (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) on a cloth, but not too wet! Sometimes this can remove the spots without damaging the surface. Good luck, you can do it! 🙂
I’ve had great results using a mild cleaning eraser (also known as cleaning sponges that work like fine melamine foam). They usually remove the discoloration quite effectively. It’s important to test it first on an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t scratch the surface.
Also, you could try gently applying vinegar water (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) on a cloth, but not too wet! Sometimes this can remove the spots without damaging the surface. Good luck, you can do it! 🙂
I agree with susar here, the cleaning sponges are almost like little miracles 😉!
However, when cleaning the Malm dresser, which usually has a lacquer or melamine coating, you shouldn’t be too aggressive. Always start by trying a mild dish soap and warm water.
A funny anecdote: for me, sometimes an old eraser from a child helped to remove small black marks from a chair – so simple home remedies can really work. Just be brave, but careful! 😉
What exactly is the nature of the stains, tiaiden41? Are they more spread out or small, pinpoint spots?
However, when cleaning the Malm dresser, which usually has a lacquer or melamine coating, you shouldn’t be too aggressive. Always start by trying a mild dish soap and warm water.
A funny anecdote: for me, sometimes an old eraser from a child helped to remove small black marks from a chair – so simple home remedies can really work. Just be brave, but careful! 😉
What exactly is the nature of the stains, tiaiden41? Are they more spread out or small, pinpoint spots?
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tiaiden411 Oct 2018 07:12rekijan schrieb:
What exactly do the stains look like, tiaiden41? Are they more spread out or small, pinpoint spots? Thanks for your tips! To answer the question: They are more like spread-out, irregular discolorations that cannot be wiped off by light cleaning. Some of the stains are located where the dresser was in contact with plastic containers, writing materials, or small electronic devices, possibly due to heat generation or chemical reactions from these items.
So far, I have only cleaned with lukewarm water and a little dish soap; I have avoided anything else as I was concerned about potential surface damage.
Tiaiden41, thank you for the detailed description!
The Malm dresser typically has a laminate finish that is durable but not completely resistant to damage. The yellowish discoloration could be caused by plastic abrasion (e.g., plasticizers from storage boxes) or heat exposure.
My recommendation is the following very careful procedure:
1. Thoroughly degrease the surface first with a mild window cleaner or dish soap.
2. Test a cleaning sponge (melamine) gently on an inconspicuous spot, rubbing very softly.
3. If that is not effective, a very fine plastic polishing stick can help – its extremely mild abrasion can remove stains without visible damage.
4. If the discoloration appears very stubborn and deep, using isopropyl alcohol (up to 70%) might be useful. However, apply with cotton wool and only in short test areas, as the alcohol can damage the laminate.
Important: Never use coarse mechanical methods or aggressive solvents such as acetone! Also, before using a polishing stick, I would recommend consulting the seller or IKEA customer service to verify the material precisely.
Condition and exact usage can have an impact; have you had the dresser for a long time? And are the stains mostly on the top surface or on the fronts?
The Malm dresser typically has a laminate finish that is durable but not completely resistant to damage. The yellowish discoloration could be caused by plastic abrasion (e.g., plasticizers from storage boxes) or heat exposure.
My recommendation is the following very careful procedure:
1. Thoroughly degrease the surface first with a mild window cleaner or dish soap.
2. Test a cleaning sponge (melamine) gently on an inconspicuous spot, rubbing very softly.
3. If that is not effective, a very fine plastic polishing stick can help – its extremely mild abrasion can remove stains without visible damage.
4. If the discoloration appears very stubborn and deep, using isopropyl alcohol (up to 70%) might be useful. However, apply with cotton wool and only in short test areas, as the alcohol can damage the laminate.
Important: Never use coarse mechanical methods or aggressive solvents such as acetone! Also, before using a polishing stick, I would recommend consulting the seller or IKEA customer service to verify the material precisely.
Condition and exact usage can have an impact; have you had the dresser for a long time? And are the stains mostly on the top surface or on the fronts?
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tiaiden411 Oct 2018 13:22Parbo schrieb:
And are the stains mostly on the top surface/cover plate or on the fronts? The discolorations are mainly on the top surface of the dresser and the adjacent side panels, especially where the plastic boxes are regularly placed. The dresser has been in my home office for over three years, so quite a while.
The remarks about the location of the stains and the possible cause being plastic abrasion sound very plausible.
Regarding the method: I haven’t tried any cleaning sponge yet, but I will proceed very carefully with that first.
One additional question: How long should such cleaning agents (e.g., vinegar water or isopropyl alcohol) generally be left on the surface before wiping off? Or is it better to apply them briefly and wipe immediately?
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