ᐅ Which care products are especially suitable for IKEA HEMNES furniture?

Hey everyone, I find the topic of caring for Hemnes furniture really interesting – especially since these pieces often tell a story over many years. ?

Personally, I clean them with a slightly damp cloth and occasionally use a bit of furniture oil. This gives the wood a nice warm look and feels pleasant to the touch. Important: don’t apply too much, or it will become too greasy and attract dust. And of course, small scratches? Here’s my secret tip: a little wax from the kitchen, like beeswax or even just plain olive oil – yes, really! This helps reduce the appearance of scratches and keeps the surface smooth.

If you want to be on the safe side, test it first on an inconspicuous spot. After all, we want furniture that lasts and is loved, right? ?

Just a small addition on the topic of home remedies: Many people swear by a mixture of vinegar and oil (e.g., linseed oil) to prevent signs of wear. However, I would be cautious with lacquered surfaces, as vinegar can damage the sealant.

In my opinion, pure maintenance oils and waxes specifically designed for wood are better. They gently care for the surface and prevent drying cracks. For HEMNES, it is also useful to repair scratches with matching touch-up markers from furniture accessories – this makes a big difference visually.

benonon schrieb:
I’m curious about the type of paint or stain on your furniture, as some finishes are easier to maintain than others. Is the surface more matte or glossy?

Thank you for the detailed response! My HEMNES furniture pieces are painted white with a rather matte finish – according to my research, this combination seems somewhat more demanding because almost every bit of dirt shows up on the white, but too aggressive cleaning could damage the paint surface.

Is there a difference in maintenance between matte painted surfaces and glossy finishes? And can matte surfaces really be repaired with touch-up paint pens for small scratches without leaving visible shiny spots?

Nosufe schrieb:
Is there a difference in maintenance for matte painted surfaces compared to glossy finishes?

That’s a very good question! With matte painted surfaces, the challenge is that they are more sensitive to polishing agents or care oils, which can create an unwanted shine. Therefore, for matte painted HEMNES, I recommend using cleaners without conditioning additives—that is, preferably pH-neutral and not gloss-enhancing.

Nosufe schrieb:
And can matte surfaces, for example, really be repaired with touch-up pens for small scratches without leaving visibly shiny spots?

Caution is advised here. Touch-up pens tend to appear glossy on matte surfaces if the coating does not match perfectly. Therefore, I recommend testing on an inconspicuous area before applying. Alternatively, a special matte retouch varnish designed specifically for these surfaces can help make repairs less noticeable.

If the damage is only superficial, special wood care products and wax are often a gentler option.

If you like, I can also provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide on how to professionally fix small blemishes.

Nosufe schrieb:
My HEMNES furniture pieces are painted white with a somewhat matte finish – according to my research, this exact combination seems to require a bit more care

Oh, that’s exactly my case! 😊 For the white matte finish, I like to use a very soft, slightly damp cloth and immediately follow up with a dry cloth after cleaning, so the wood doesn’t get too wet.

For maintenance, I don’t use oils but furniture care sprays specially designed for matte surfaces, which protect without adding shine. And for scratches, I simply touch them up carefully using a white wax stick or a color-matched repair kit – this always works well for me!

Don’t get discouraged; with the right care, your furniture will look great for a long time! And if anything goes wrong, any furniture professional will be happy to help you 😉