ᐅ My KALLAX unit is difficult to clean after moving—any tips?

Hello everyone,

I recently moved my KALLAX and unfortunately noticed that cleaning it has become much more difficult. During the move, dust and dirt likely settled into the gaps and corners that were previously easier to access. Since the furniture has some sealed or firmly glued joints, simple cleaning methods don’t work very well.

My question is: What tricks or cleaning products do you use to thoroughly clean the KALLAX after a move while still being gentle on the material? I want to avoid damaging the surface or compromising its stability. Has anyone had experience with hard-to-reach crevices or can offer tips on how to best care for the wood or coating?

I’m really looking forward to your advice!

lyanron schrieb:
What tips or cleaning products do you use to thoroughly yet gently clean the KALLAX after moving?

I completely understand your frustration after all the moving chaos, and then having to deal with those hidden corners of the KALLAX. I found that using an old toothbrush with a mild dish soap solution helped me reach the small angles without damaging the surface.

Sometimes it really feels overwhelming, but starting small and being thorough step by step often helps. After that, I wiped it down with a damp microfiber cloth to make sure no residue was left behind.

What cleaning methods have you tried so far? Have you experimented with anything yet?

lyanron schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with hard-to-reach cracks or can offer tips on how to best treat the wood or coating?

First of all: keep your spirits up! 🙂 KALLAX is durable, but the corners and crevices can be really tricky.

For furniture like this, I like to use compressed air sprays (like the ones for keyboards) – they blow out the dust without needing to scrape. Then a damp cloth with a mild cleaner, and finally a bit of furniture polish to make everything shine.

Sometimes a soft-bristle brush (a synthetic paintbrush) works well to get into the gaps. This way, what seemed “hard to clean” quickly becomes “jump and clean” 😄

To clean a KALLAX, especially after a move, I recommend the following procedure:

1. First, vacuum dust and loose particles using a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle.
2. Wipe the surfaces with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth and mild dish soap.
3. For hard-to-reach gaps, narrow cotton cloths wrapped around a thin spatula or rod work well.
4. Be cautious with aggressive chemical cleaners, as they can damage the surface.
5. Finally, wipe all areas again with a dry cloth.

This method protects both the material and the joints. For stubborn dirt, cleaning with isopropyl alcohol (very diluted) is also possible, as it evaporates quickly and is less aggressive than other solvents.

A toothbrush and microfiber cloth are essential.

After vacuuming with a narrow attachment, I clean the corners using a mild dish soap solution.

Do not use sandpaper or harsh cleaners.

Morgan schrieb:
What cleaning methods have you tried so far? Have you tested anything yet?

Thanks for your feedback!

So far, I have only tried cleaning with a slightly damp cloth and dish soap to remove dust. Unfortunately, dust still accumulates in the deeper grooves and joints where I can hardly reach.

Compressed air sounds interesting, but I’m afraid it would just move the dust around. And as you mentioned, I want to be careful with the surface.

I will try using a toothbrush—that sounds like a good idea. Do you use any special cleaning agent with it, or just water?