ᐅ Making MALM Furniture Last Longer – How to Care for It Properly?

Hello everyone, I have several MALM furniture pieces from IKEA at home and want to keep them in good condition for as long as possible. Since MALM furniture is mostly made of veneered wood, I’m unsure how to care for them properly without damaging the veneer or the surface.

My questions: Which cleaning and care products are best suited to protect the surface? How often should the furniture be cleaned or maintained? Are there specific actions to avoid in order to prevent damage to the material?

I want to prevent the furniture from wearing out quickly or developing stains. Thanks in advance for any tips and experiences!

Use a damp cloth with some mild dish soap for cleaning. Then wipe immediately with a dry cloth. Avoid aggressive cleaners and standing water. For maintenance, sometimes a furniture polish designed for plastic surfaces is sufficient.

The MALM series is mostly coated with melamine, making the furniture relatively resistant to moisture and stains. However, it is important not to use abrasive or solvent-based cleaning products, as these can damage the surface.

For cleaning, I recommend using a soft, slightly damp cloth with a neutral cleaning agent (mild dish soap or pH-neutral cleaners). After cleaning, the furniture should be wiped with a dry cloth to prevent moisture residue.

Care products such as waxes or oils are generally not necessary for melamine surfaces and can even leave a greasy film. Regular cleaning, approximately every 1-2 weeks depending on use, is usually sufficient.

Please also avoid exposing the surfaces to intense heat or placing hot objects directly on them, to prevent warping or discoloration.

elliot schrieb:
The MALM series is mostly coated with melamine, which makes the furniture relatively resistant to moisture and stains.

That’s interesting, thanks! Could you also say if certain household remedies, like vinegar water or alcohol, should be avoided, or are they safe to use?

Also, I’m wondering if frequent cleaning with a damp cloth might eventually dull the furniture’s surface?

frapu schrieb:
Could you also say whether certain household remedies, such as vinegar water or alcohol, should be avoided?

Vinegar water and alcohol are not recommended for melamine coatings, as the acids and solvents can roughen or dull the surface. For occasional tougher stains, it’s better to clean with mild dish soap and water.

frapu schrieb:
Whether the furniture might become dull over time from frequent cleaning with a damp cloth

With normal use and cleaning, this is unlikely. It is important not to leave the furniture permanently damp or wet, as this could damage the veneer at the edges. The furniture could become dull from abrasive cleaners or rubbing with rough cloths.

I have been using MALM dressers for several years. For maintenance, I occasionally use a special anti-dust spray (not oil) and a soft microfiber cloth. Since I started doing this, the surfaces have become quite durable. And very important: never place hot cups or flower vases directly on the surface without a coaster! Otherwise, the melamine coating will wear out sooner.

A little tip: If a scratch appears, a furniture touch-up pen (matching the color) works surprisingly well! 🙂