Hello 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.
tiaiden41 schrieb:
How long should such cleaning agents (e.g., vinegar water or isopropyl alcohol) be left on the surface approximately, and how quickly should they be wiped off? It’s best to leave vinegar water on the surface only briefly—about one to two minutes at most—and then immediately wipe it off thoroughly with a damp cloth. Vinegar is acidic and can dull or damage the surface if left on too long.
The same applies to isopropyl alcohol: apply it sparingly in small spots and rub it in right away without soaking. Alcohol is a strong degreaser and can harm film coatings if left too long.
My general advice: always start with very short contact times and observe the effect. It’s better to repeat the process multiple times than to risk damage by leaving the cleaner on for too long.
If you want to use a cleaning sponge, apply very light pressure and use gentle circular motions.
Feel free to share your approach—I’m happy to help improve the process.