ᐅ Malm chest of drawers squeaks during use – how can I fix this permanently?

Hello everyone, I have a problem with my IKEA Malm chest of drawers, which squeaks every time I use it. It’s a clearly audible noise that occurs whenever the drawers are opened or closed. It’s really annoying, and although I’ve only been using the chest for a year, the squeaking is very bothersome. I have already tried cleaning the drawer slides and applying some oil, but that only helped temporarily. Has anyone experienced this issue and can offer advice on how to permanently eliminate the squeaking? Thanks in advance!

Janbo schrieb:
I have already tried cleaning the rails and applying some oil, but that only helped temporarily.

Hey, great that you’ve already taken the first step! 😊 Unfortunately, squeaking is quite common with the Malm chest of drawers, and I experienced the same. My advice is to use not just regular oil but a special lubricant like silicone spray. It lasts much longer and doesn’t attract dust!

Also, check if the drawers are properly seated in the runners. Sometimes a slight misalignment can cause extra squeaking. Tightening all the screws a bit can also help.

Good luck, you can do it! 🙂

ixfra schrieb:
My tip is to use not just regular oil, but a special lubricant like silicone spray. It lasts much longer and doesn’t attract dust!

I agree with that. The cause of squeaking in the Malm dresser often lies in the metal rails and plastic rollers, which create noise due to the friction between different materials.

A thorough cleaning before treatment is essential. Afterwards, it is recommended to use a dry lubricant, such as PTFE or silicone spray instead of oil, to achieve a long-lasting effect and avoid dust buildup.

Alternatively, graphite powder can also be used, which lubricates permanently and cleanly without being sticky.

Janbo schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with this problem and can give me tips on how to permanently eliminate this squeaking?

Hello Janbo, I had a similar issue with my Malm chest of drawers. The squeaking can also be caused by the humidity in the room and the slight warping of the drawers.

I recommend the following steps: Fully pull out the drawers and clean the runners with a dry cloth. Then, apply silicone spray sparingly to the moving parts. Make sure the spray does not get on the wood surfaces, as this can cause stains.

If the squeaking continues, it may help to loosen the screws of the drawer slides and then tighten them again to relieve tension in the material.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Santiagobu schrieb:
If the squeaking continues, it can help to loosen the screws of the drawer slides and then tighten them again to reduce tension in the material.

I think that’s an important point! Sometimes it’s not the slides or the lubricant, but mechanical stresses that cause the noises.

I can easily understand how frustrating this can be. In my case, it was also a combination of slight misalignment and improper maintenance of the sliding rails.

Additionally, I would recommend checking the gliders at the back of the drawers, which prevent the drawer from wobbling sideways. If they are damaged or installed incorrectly, they can also contribute to the squeaking. Maybe you’ll find the crucial clue there.

Keep your spirits up, with patience and some care, it will surely get better! 🙂