Furniture Stain Removal: Wood, Laminate, Leather, Gloss
Laminate furniture surface, General everyday stains and marks (spills, fingerprints): IKEA's product care instructions call for wiping with a soft cloth dampened in water and, if needed, a small amount of mild washing-up liquid mixed into the water, then drying with a clean dry cloth.
Lacquered/oiled wood furniture | Laminate furniture surface | Leather furniture upholstery | High-gloss furniture surfaces (including high-gloss plastic parts)
- Source
- IKEA · Bona · Ekornes (Stressless)
How do you remove ink stains and everyday marks from wood, laminate, leather and high-gloss furniture surfaces without scratching or dulling the finish?
| Surface | Soil | Method | Don'ts | Product | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate furniture surface | General everyday stains and marks (spills, fingerprints) | IKEA's product care instructions call for wiping with a soft cloth dampened in water and, if needed, a small amount of mild washing-up liquid mixed into the water, then drying with a clean dry cloth. | Strong or abrasive cleaning agents, scouring pads and powder cleansers | - | IKEA |
| High-gloss furniture front/door | Fingerprints, smudges, light marks | IKEA's care instructions for high-gloss fronts call for a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth, with a small amount of mild glass cleaner on the cloth for fingerprints, buffed dry with a second clean cloth. | Scouring agents, strong detergents, furniture spray, solvents or bar soap | - | IKEA |
| Oiled solid-wood furniture surface | Water spots, minor spills, surface marks | IKEA's care instructions for oiled wood call for wiping with a cloth dampened in plain water, and periodically re-treating the surface with IKEA wood treatment oil applied with a cloth. | Soap, detergent and wax-based polish on oiled wood | IKEA wood treatment oil | IKEA |
| Lacquered/varnished wood furniture surface | Ink marks and general grime | Bona's furniture care guidance calls for wiping with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water and, if needed, a small amount of Bona Furniture Cleaner, then drying immediately with a separate dry cloth. | Ammonia-based cleaners, wax-based polish over lacquer, and abrasive pads | Bona Furniture Cleaner | Bona |
| Furniture leather upholstery (aniline/semi-aniline leather) | Spills and surface marks | Ekornes/Stressless leather care guidance calls for blotting spills immediately with a clean, dry, colorfast cloth, and periodic cleaning with a leather cleaner made for furniture leather, applied with a soft cloth in circular motions and wiped dry. | Solvents, ammonia-based household cleaners, direct heat and direct sunlight | - | Ekornes (Stressless) |
FAQs
How do you remove ink marks and everyday stains from wood, laminate and leather furniture without damaging the finish?
Manufacturer guides call for a soft cloth and mild solutions matched to each material: water with a little washing-up liquid on laminate, plain water plus periodic oiling on oiled wood, a Bona furniture cleaner on lacquered wood, and a leather-specific cleaner on leather, rather than solvents or scouring pads.
Is there a way to clean glossy coated furniture surfaces without scratching them?
IKEA's high-gloss furniture care instructions call for a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth and a small amount of mild glass cleaner, avoiding scouring agents, strong detergents and solvents that can dull the gloss.
What should never be used on laminate or high-gloss furniture?
IKEA names abrasive scouring pads, powder cleansers, strong detergents, furniture spray, solvents and bar soap as damaging to laminate and high-gloss finishes.
How should leather furniture be treated for spills?
Ekornes/Stressless leather care guidance calls for blotting spills immediately with a dry, colorfast cloth and periodic cleaning with a leather-specific cleaner, avoiding solvents, ammonia-based cleaners and direct heat or sunlight.