I have been wondering for a while: why do some Ikea Malm dressers squeak more than others, even though they look identical and are used in a similar way?
I am specifically referring to the typical squeaking noise when opening or closing the drawers, which is noticeably louder and more bothersome on some models. Are there technical reasons such as material differences, assembly issues, or particular stresses involved? Or do environmental factors like humidity, dust, or dirt play a role?
I would like to understand the exact cause better in order to narrow down and fix the issue without having to completely disassemble the piece of furniture.
I am specifically referring to the typical squeaking noise when opening or closing the drawers, which is noticeably louder and more bothersome on some models. Are there technical reasons such as material differences, assembly issues, or particular stresses involved? Or do environmental factors like humidity, dust, or dirt play a role?
I would like to understand the exact cause better in order to narrow down and fix the issue without having to completely disassemble the piece of furniture.
Luchen schrieb:
Most of the time, it’s due to friction between the drawer runners. That is true, but I wonder if the squeaking might also systematically result from installation errors or inferior materials.I suspect that production tolerances for the Malm dressers vary, which causes some models to have slightly tighter-fitting drawers. This leads to increased friction and ultimately squeaking.
Is there any experience here regarding whether older models squeak more, or if new products are better quality-controlled? Are there perhaps also differences in the interior surface finishes that affect the noise?
M
Marlenepa28 Sep 2022 10:52Hello everyone, I’d be happy to explain this in more detail.
The squeaking usually results from a combination of mechanical friction and the material properties. For Malm dressers, the drawers are often supported on wooden runners or simple metal slides. Over time, tiny dirt particles, dust, or small wood chips can get between the drawer and the runners, increasing friction.
Additionally, humidity can cause the wooden components to swell, leading to tighter tolerances and consequently noises. If lubrication is missing, squeaking is almost inevitable.
A simple cleaning followed by light oiling or applying a lubricant (preferably special furniture wax or silicone spray) usually helps. It is important not to use too much to avoid attracting dust buildup.
If the dresser is very old, the screw connections might have loosened slightly, causing play and thus noise. Tightening the screws can often work wonders.
The squeaking usually results from a combination of mechanical friction and the material properties. For Malm dressers, the drawers are often supported on wooden runners or simple metal slides. Over time, tiny dirt particles, dust, or small wood chips can get between the drawer and the runners, increasing friction.
Additionally, humidity can cause the wooden components to swell, leading to tighter tolerances and consequently noises. If lubrication is missing, squeaking is almost inevitable.
A simple cleaning followed by light oiling or applying a lubricant (preferably special furniture wax or silicone spray) usually helps. It is important not to use too much to avoid attracting dust buildup.
If the dresser is very old, the screw connections might have loosened slightly, causing play and thus noise. Tightening the screws can often work wonders.
It's actually funny how such a simple piece of furniture can create such a big soundscape 😄!
I think maintenance plays a role here. When you really live with and use a Malm dresser, crumbs often accumulate unnoticed. The delicate wooden slats can then creak faintly, especially if the neighbor’s space heater is on and the room air changes suddenly.
My tip: just wipe the drawers and sliding rails with a dry cloth every few months, then apply a minimal amount of wax – after that, the dresser will at most “sing” with joy 😉
Having a bit of feeling for the furniture really helps – it’s not a high-tech device, but more like a living room buddy that needs a little care.
I think maintenance plays a role here. When you really live with and use a Malm dresser, crumbs often accumulate unnoticed. The delicate wooden slats can then creak faintly, especially if the neighbor’s space heater is on and the room air changes suddenly.
My tip: just wipe the drawers and sliding rails with a dry cloth every few months, then apply a minimal amount of wax – after that, the dresser will at most “sing” with joy 😉
Having a bit of feeling for the furniture really helps – it’s not a high-tech device, but more like a living room buddy that needs a little care.
faso31 schrieb:
I wonder if the squeaking might also systematically result from assembly errors or low-quality materials. That’s exactly my point.I think it’s too simplistic to attribute the problem solely to maintenance and environmental factors. There are reports that certain batches of Malm dressers have varying material quality. This not only causes squeaking but sometimes also leads to faster wear.
loken schrieb:
A bit of a feel for the furniture really helps – it’s not a high-tech piece of equipment Sure, it’s not about high-tech engineering, but all the more reason not to underestimate the variations in quality.I’m interested to know if anyone here has ever successfully made a complaint about squeaking directly with Ikea and how they responded. Maybe these issues are being addressed more proactively in newer models?
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