ᐅ Malm furniture surface scratched – what is a quick fix?

Hello everyone,

I have noticed a quite visible scratch on the surface of my IKEA Malm furniture. Since I would like to restore the furniture’s appearance as quickly as possible, I am specifically looking for the best and fastest methods to remove or at least significantly conceal small to medium scratches. Which products or home remedies have worked well for you and are practical if you don’t want to fully refinish or replace the entire surface? I would also be interested in tips on special polish or repair kits that are particularly compatible with the finish of Malm furniture. Thank you in advance!

Hello,

for quick repair, I use furniture polish or specifically the IKEA repair kit for Malm. The included pen works well for touching up small scratches. It is important that the surface is clean and dry beforehand.

For targeted and quick repair of minor scratches on the painted surfaces of Malm furniture, I recommend the IKEA repair kit, which is color-matched precisely to the surface. Before application, it is advisable to carefully clean the scratches with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and grease. For superficial scratches, furniture polish with a mild abrasive content can also help but should be used sparingly to avoid damaging the paint layer. Treatment with special wax sprays is recommended if the scratch is not too deep, as these provide a quick cosmetic improvement.

Hey Blaan,

I once had a small accident with my Malm dresser – scratches happen easily, which is definitely annoying. What helped me back then was a combination of a repair marker from IKEA (they are really handy!) followed by waxing with a furniture wax from the hardware store. The polish not only improves the look but also makes the surface a bit more resistant to new scratches. 🙂

And if you feel like trying something different, give olive oil a shot! Yes, it sounds strange, but applying a little oil with a soft cloth can work wonders on minor surface scratches. Still, it’s better to see this as a short-term fix, more like an emergency trick. 😉

Will44 schrieb:
And if you feel like it, try olive oil! Yes, it sounds strange, but applying a little oil on a soft cloth and gently rubbing can work wonders on small surface scratches.

That might work temporarily for superficial marks, but it’s not a long-term solution. Most Malm furniture has a melamine resin or painted finish, which should be treated with repair kits specifically designed for this purpose.

For slightly deeper scratches, I recommend using the IKEA repair kit and then finishing the area with an appropriate furniture polish. Home remedies are nice but don’t replace proper care and maintenance for paint scratches.

draleo schrieb:
For light surface scratches, furniture polish with a mild abrasive can also help

This is an important tip. It is crucial to ensure that the furniture polish is specifically designed for painted surfaces and is not too harsh. Coarse abrasives can damage the protective coating of Malm furniture and worsen the problem.

Furthermore, I recommend sealing the surface with an appropriate furniture wax after treatment with a repair kit or polish to increase durability and prevent new scratches. For deeper scratches that reach the wood, more intensive cleaning and possibly repainting are usually necessary, which requires more time and materials.