ᐅ Light scratches on Malm furniture – can I fix them with household remedies?

Hello everyone, I have a Malm furniture piece from IKEA that has unfortunately developed some small scratches from everyday use. Since I don’t want to invest in a major repair right away, I wanted to ask: Are there any proven home remedies or simple tricks to remove or at least make these light scratches less noticeable on the surface? It’s important to me that the furniture surface, which is often white or lightly coated, does not get damaged or develop spots. Has anyone had experience with this and can share tips on which methods or products are really worth trying before buying expensive repair kits? Thanks in advance!

Hello Colesi, your concern is completely understandable, especially when dealing with light-colored, coated furniture like the Malm series. Often, it’s those small surface scratches that are particularly annoying because they are very visible. A common home remedy that many have tried is using a little olive oil or walnut oil: apply it sparingly to a soft cloth and gently rub it into the scratches. This can slightly refresh the surface, and the scratches are often visually reduced. It is important to apply the oil very thinly and immediately remove any excess to avoid leaving greasy spots.

Another gentler method is to use white toothpaste (not gel): you can carefully rub it into the scratch in circular motions and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. The mild abrasive effect of some toothpastes can sometimes help minimize scratches without damaging the surface.

In general, I would recommend testing such home remedies first in an inconspicuous area to make sure the surface does not react adversely.

Hello, I would first try baking soda. Mix some of it with water to make a paste and gently apply it to the scratches. Then wipe it off. This has often helped me.

Hey Colesi, Malm finishes are unfortunately often prone to small scratches – I know that problem 🙂

Besides the tips with oil and toothpaste, I believe sometimes a bit of “optical trickery” helps. So, small scratches are quite visible up close, but if you carefully trace over them with a white wax crayon from a craft store, they appear less noticeable from a distance.

Of course, this isn’t a professional method, but if you need a quick fix before trying anything else, it can surprisingly work well. Important: The wax crayon should match the color and tone of the furniture surface as closely as possible.

And if you feel like it, giving everything a good wipe with a microfiber cloth and mild dish soap refreshes the look right away.

koneo schrieb:
A home remedy that many have tried is using some olive oil or walnut oil

That sounds interesting, thanks! Would it be possible to apply the oil spot-wise with a cotton swab if the scratches are very small? I’m worried about applying too much oil and causing dark stains.

meGreg schrieb:
carefully fill in small scratches with a white wax crayon from the craft store

That sounds like a quick fix I’ll try. Do you know if those wax crayons are completely washable, or is there a risk of causing a permanent discoloration?

Colesi schrieb:
Could the oil also be applied spotwise with a cotton swab if the scratches are very small? I’m afraid of applying too much oil and causing dark spots.

Yes, you can definitely do that! Cotton swabs are ideal for small areas since you apply the oil very sparingly and leave the rest of the surface untouched. It’s important to gently polish the spot afterward with a dry, soft cloth to remove any excess oil, preventing unattractive stains.

Colesi schrieb:
Do you know if these wax crayons are completely washable, or is there a risk of permanently discoloring the area?

That depends on the wax crayon. Some craft wax crayons are washable, others are not. If you want to be sure, you should ask for a washable wax crayon at a specialty store. It’s definitely advisable to test it first on an inconspicuous corner.