Hello everyone,
I have several Malm dressers from Ikea that I bought some time ago. Unfortunately, they now squeak noticeably when opening and closing the drawers. This is quite annoying, especially when you want to be quiet at night or avoid continuously disturbing the living room with noise.
I have done some research and found that the issue is likely with the drawer slides or runners, but I want to fix it properly without damaging any parts or treating them incorrectly.
My specific question is: What helps to stop squeaking in Malm furniture? Are there special lubricants, installation tips, or repair methods that work well?
I would really appreciate detailed advice, as I have a basic understanding of furniture mechanics and enjoy working on furniture myself when I know what to watch out for.
I have several Malm dressers from Ikea that I bought some time ago. Unfortunately, they now squeak noticeably when opening and closing the drawers. This is quite annoying, especially when you want to be quiet at night or avoid continuously disturbing the living room with noise.
I have done some research and found that the issue is likely with the drawer slides or runners, but I want to fix it properly without damaging any parts or treating them incorrectly.
My specific question is: What helps to stop squeaking in Malm furniture? Are there special lubricants, installation tips, or repair methods that work well?
I would really appreciate detailed advice, as I have a basic understanding of furniture mechanics and enjoy working on furniture myself when I know what to watch out for.
Hello Anlafu,
I am familiar with the issue of Malm drawers and can offer you a fairly reliable solution in several steps:
1. First, you should completely remove the drawers. Usually, you pull them out fully and then press the metal clips on the sides to release them.
2. The main cause of squeaking is usually the metal rails or plastic gliders, which wear down or get dirty due to friction.
3. Clean the sliding rails thoroughly with a lint-free cloth and some isopropanol or mild detergent to remove old dust, grease, or deposits. This will improve the sliding function.
4. Lubricant: Be sure to use an appropriate lubricant, such as a thin silicone spray or specialized furniture glide oil. WD-40 is more of a penetrating oil and not a long-term lubricant, so it is only partly suitable.
5. Apply the lubricant sparingly to the rails, let it soak in briefly, and then reinstall the drawers.
6. Test the drawers to see if the squeaking has stopped. If the squeaking persists, the plastic parts may be worn out and might need to be replaced.
Summary:
> Clean, lubricate properly, check wear parts.
If you need more detailed information on any of the steps, I’m happy to help. :-)
I am familiar with the issue of Malm drawers and can offer you a fairly reliable solution in several steps:
1. First, you should completely remove the drawers. Usually, you pull them out fully and then press the metal clips on the sides to release them.
2. The main cause of squeaking is usually the metal rails or plastic gliders, which wear down or get dirty due to friction.
3. Clean the sliding rails thoroughly with a lint-free cloth and some isopropanol or mild detergent to remove old dust, grease, or deposits. This will improve the sliding function.
4. Lubricant: Be sure to use an appropriate lubricant, such as a thin silicone spray or specialized furniture glide oil. WD-40 is more of a penetrating oil and not a long-term lubricant, so it is only partly suitable.
5. Apply the lubricant sparingly to the rails, let it soak in briefly, and then reinstall the drawers.
6. Test the drawers to see if the squeaking has stopped. If the squeaking persists, the plastic parts may be worn out and might need to be replaced.
Summary:
> Clean, lubricate properly, check wear parts.
If you need more detailed information on any of the steps, I’m happy to help. :-)
Nabla64 schrieb:
Clean the drawer slides carefully with a lint-free cloth and some isopropanol or a mild detergentI would like to add that the material of the Malm drawers also matters when choosing the type of lubricant. Usually, the slides are made of metal, sometimes with plastic rollers or gliders.
For example, if you use WD-40, it does reduce friction temporarily, but because it evaporates quickly, it dries out and attracts dust, which worsens the effect over time.
Lubricants based on silicone or PTFE are better. They provide a long-lasting lubricating film without the disadvantages of oils and greases, which can become sticky.
Furthermore, I would inspect the entire mechanism. Sometimes screws on the slides loosen, which can also cause squeaking or wobbling.
I recommend the following step-by-step process:
- Remove the drawer
- Wipe the slides and check for mechanical damage
- Tighten any loose screws
- Lightly sand the slides if you notice rough edges
- Apply a thin layer of silicone spray
- Reinstall the drawer and test it
By the way: some users report that the slides on Malm can be fully replaced if the wear is too severe. Replacement parts are available online or directly from IKEA.
One last question: does the squeaking occur only on certain drawers or on all Malm furniture? This could indicate different causes.
Domau0 schrieb:
Does the squeaking occur only with certain drawers or with all Malm furniture?Thank you for the detailed explanations! In my case, all the drawers squeak, so I initially thought it might be a general issue like dirt or lack of lubrication. Loose screws don’t seem to be a problem, but I will check that again.
I found the idea of using silicone spray interesting. So far, I have only had what is known as Teflon or WD-40 spray at home, which according to Nabla64 and you may not be the best choice.
A few more details about my furniture: it is about 5 years old, used regularly, and has sometimes been in slightly more humid rooms, so corrosion cannot be completely ruled out. The plastic parts still look relatively good, but as you pointed out, the drawer slides could be very dry.
Does anyone have recommendations for brands or specific silicone sprays that work especially well for Malm drawer slides? Should I “run in” the slides after treatment or wait before using the drawer?
For general maintenance, I would also like to know if Ikea itself offers any service or repair guides specifically for Malm that you would recommend. Thanks!
Anlafu schrieb:
Does anyone have recommendations for brands or specific silicone sprays that work particularly well for Malm drawer slides?Yes, I often recommend “Sonax Silicone Spray” as it is affordable, widely available, and doesn’t become sticky like some cheaper products. “Caramba Silicone Spray” is also very reliable and is commonly used on furniture and door tracks.
After applying the spray, it’s helpful to fully open and close the drawer several times so the lubricant can spread evenly and form a proper lubricating layer.
> “Do I need to run the slides in somehow or wait before using the drawer afterward?”
No extended waiting period is necessary; moving the drawer a few times is enough to activate the spray and create optimal sliding conditions.
Most IKEA models, including Malm, are designed for easy maintenance, though official repair instructions are sometimes only available on request or as PDFs on the IKEA website. It’s worth searching specifically for “Malm drawer maintenance” there or contacting IKEA customer service directly.
Good luck with the maintenance! 🙂
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