ᐅ IKEA Malm dresser only squeaks occasionally – how to properly fix it?

Hello everyone, I have an IKEA Malm chest of drawers that has been occasionally squeaking when I pull out or push in the drawers. I noticed that it doesn’t happen all the time, but only sometimes, probably depending on the load or the drawer’s position. Does anyone have experience with how to best fix this sporadic squeaking? I suspect it’s related to the metal runners or the rollers, but I’m not sure what the best approach is, especially since the noise isn’t constant. I would like to find a lasting solution without immediately replacing parts if cleaning or lubrication might help. Thanks in advance for any tips, including recommendations for suitable lubricants or other repair tricks!

Hey carel, this sounds like the classic "odd noise issue" with Malm dressers ;-) I had the same problem once – usually a bit of WD-40 or silicone spray on the drawer slides helps. It’s important to pull the drawers out completely and spray the metal parts thoroughly. Sometimes dust or small wood chips accumulate there, causing the squeaking. So clean those areas briefly with a brush or cloth before lubricating. 🙂 Oh, and don’t use too much spray, otherwise it gets sticky – otherwise it runs down and just makes a mess. Good luck!

Hello carel, I understand the problem well. These occasional squeaking noises can be really annoying, especially when you don’t know when they will happen again. I would first carefully check the runners for any small foreign particles and then use a light lubricating oil. But please avoid heavy grease, as it attracts dust and makes the situation worse over time. If it only happens sometimes, it could also be that a screw or part is slightly loose. Have you checked whether all the screws on the dresser are tight? Sometimes something as simple as tightening can help.

Hi carel, it almost sounds like the infamous "Malm squeaking" :-D Jokes aside, besides cleaning and lubricating, you might also consider rubbing some wax onto the sliding rails. I once used candle wax, just a piece from a regular pillar candle, rubbed it over the surface – this smooths it out and prevents squeaking for the time being. It’s a bit unusual, but it works great for me 🙂 Just give it a try, you really can't do any harm!

Check the screws and fully extend the drawers. Clean the sliding rails. Then apply silicone spray or wax. Do not apply too thickly.

That sounds great that several people here already have good tips! 🙂 I also have a Malm chest of drawers and often experienced vibration and squeaking with certain drawers. What helped me was to completely remove all the drawers and carefully smooth the metal runners with fine sandpaper to eliminate small uneven spots. After that, I used silicone spray. The problem then disappeared! It's definitely worth taking the time for this – afterwards, the chest of drawers was really enjoyable again :-)