ᐅ How can I make the Malm drawers slide more smoothly?

Hello everyone,

I have a Malm chest of drawers with several drawers, and some of them feel a bit stiff to open. The slides seem to be intact, but there is noticeable resistance when pulling, which makes it difficult to fully extend and lubricate the drawers. My question is: What simple and effective methods do you recommend to make Malm drawers run smoothly without having to remove the entire slide mechanism? Are there any specific maintenance techniques or materials that have proven to work well?

I’m especially interested in tips that can be done with common household items since I don’t have access to a professional workshop. Perhaps some of you have experience with long-term improvements through component replacement or maintenance advice that goes beyond just applying oil.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello, I recommend thoroughly cleaning the rails first, as dust and dirt usually accumulate and increase friction. After that, you can apply silicone spray, which works well without causing the rails to become sticky.

Meoru schrieb:
Apply silicone spray; it works well without sticking to the rails.

Silicone spray is indeed an excellent lubricant for furniture sliders because it is non-sticky and attracts less dust. However, I would first remove any dry residues of old lubricant with a lint-free cloth and, if necessary, degrease the area using some rubbing alcohol or spirits.

An important aspect with Malm drawers is also checking the rollers or tracks: if a roller is damaged or there is play, it can cause stiffness. Replacing the tracks from Ikea is relatively inexpensive and often significantly improves the running quality.

If you prefer to use only household remedies, I recommend a combination of thorough cleaning, degreasing (with isopropanol or spirits), and then applying silicone spray. I would not recommend WD-40, as frequent use tends to attract dirt and leaves sticky residues on your fingers.

Furthermore, I advise making sure the drawer is guided precisely in the tracks when inserting it, to avoid unnecessary jamming.

Paufi schrieb:
The rails seem to be intact, but you can clearly feel resistance when pulling

What exactly did you check to confirm the rails are intact? Was it just a visual inspection, or did you examine the rollers for damage? Often, the problem is not with the rails themselves, but with worn or bent metal rollers or plastic guides.

KAMERON schrieb:
Replacing the Ikea drawer rails is relatively inexpensive

That’s true, but before replacing them right away, you should consider whether lubrication is really necessary. Silicone spray does keep dust away, but it doesn’t always provide a lasting improvement. Also, keep in mind that too much lubricant can slightly affect the drawer’s smoothness and alignment.

From my experience: Sometimes a drawer sticks or rubs because not all the screws holding the rails are tightened properly, or the rails have slightly slipped out of their locking positions due to pulling the drawer out too quickly.

Have you checked that as well? It may sound simple, but the cause of a stiff drawer often lies in a combination of small issues.

Maybe you could describe more precisely where the drawer feels stiff. It could also be a manufacturing defect that Ikea solves with replacement parts.