ᐅ What to do if Ikea Hemnes drawers are sticking?

Hello everyone,

I have the following issue and hope to find some helpful advice here: my Ikea Hemnes dresser drawers keep sticking, especially the bottom two. The sticking presents itself as the drawers only pulling out with a lot of force or sometimes getting completely stuck.

I have already checked for loose screws but didn’t find any obvious damage. The drawer slides look normal to me, but I’m not sure if I’m inspecting them correctly or if normal signs of wear can actually cause these problems.

Does anyone have experience with the most common causes of Hemnes drawers sticking? Are there any specific maintenance or adjustment tips? I use the dresser quite normally, so I suspect this might be a typical sign of aging.

I’m looking forward to your assessments and especially concrete tips on how to fix the sticking without having to take the entire dresser apart.

Remove the drawers and check if the drawer slides are dirty or warped. Usually, cleaning and some lubricant are sufficient. Then reinsert the drawers and test them.

I would add that sticking often occurs due to warped drawer sides or from overloading the drawer. It’s best to first check whether the drawers slide perfectly straight, and then avoid overloading them.

Sometimes it also helps to slightly loosen and realign the drawer slides if they are slightly misaligned. Be careful to adjust only as much as necessary.

olivernu schrieb:
I would add that jamming is often caused by warped drawer sides or by overloading.

This is one of the most common reasons; however, the type of material composition could also play a role. Hemnes furniture is usually made of solid wood, which can warp over time due to changes in climate.

Have you checked whether the drawer sides might have swollen from moisture? That could also be a significant factor, potentially requiring readjustment.

Be careful with the sliding mechanisms as well: Hemnes often uses wooden strips that wear down over the years. If these no longer fit precisely, they can cause jamming.

Solution: Tighten, if necessary lightly sand, and reinstall to ensure the guides move freely again.

BLAKEO schrieb:
Have you checked if the drawer sides might have swelled due to moisture?

Thanks for the suggestion. At first, I thought that wouldn’t be the case since the room is relatively dry. However, the chest of drawers is placed against an exterior wall, and I have been airing the room for extended periods recently, so fluctuations are definitely possible.

I will remove the drawers and check if any visible swelling can be detected. Regarding the wooden trim, I need to take a closer look at what you mean by sanding. Wouldn’t that damage the surface? Are there any specific sanding techniques or grit levels you would recommend?