ᐅ KALLAX Doors Difficult to Clean – Material Issue?

Hello everyone,

I have been using KALLAX shelves from IKEA with the matching doors for some time, and I have unfortunately noticed that the doors are much harder to clean in everyday use than I expected. Particularly stubborn stains, small scratches, and especially the matte plastic seem to make cleaning unnecessarily difficult.

My question is therefore: Is the issue with the KALLAX doors primarily related to the material used and its manufacturing process, or are there specific cleaning methods that I might have overlooked?

It is important to me that the material remains durable over time and is not damaged by improper cleaning. Has anyone had similar experiences or can provide an assessment of the material issue? Thanks!

Melih33 schrieb:
that the doors are noticeably harder to clean in everyday use than expected.

The issue actually lies with the material of the KALLAX doors. They are usually made from MDF panels with a thin plastic layer that looks attractive but is quite sensitive to dirt and signs of wear.

A good tip is to avoid harsh cleaning agents and instead use mild soapy water or cleaners specifically designed for plastic surfaces. I also recommend always working gently with a soft cloth, as abrasive cleaning products can quickly scratch the surface.

Damp microfiber cloth and mild dish soap solution. Then dry by rubbing. Do not use anything abrasive.

I can fully understand how frustrating it must be when you expect a simple cleaning and then realize the surface is especially tricky.

I have experienced this with other furniture that has a plastic coating and find that sometimes patience is necessary, even though it can be annoying. If it helps: special cleaning sprays for cars sometimes work wonders on plastic surfaces without being too harsh.

The doors are made of melamine resin-coated panels. These surfaces are somewhat more sensitive to improper cleaning. It is best to avoid abrasive sponges.

Gentle cleaning is essential.

For my KALLAX doors, I have a little trick that makes cleaning easier: mixing a bit of vinegar into the water often removes dull spots and leaves the surface feeling better afterward. 🙂

Of course, it’s not a chemical bomb, but it’s enough for everyday use. And if things get really bad, a soft cloth with some olive oil helps with minor scratches – at least it works well for me.