ᐅ The MALM dresser squeaks with every movement – how can I stop this?

Hello everyone, I have a Malm chest of drawers from IKEA that squeaks with even the slightest movement. The noise comes from the drawer area when opening them or even just lightly tapping the front. It has become quite annoying, especially during quiet moments.

I have already tried inspecting the runners and hinges but couldn’t find anything unusual. None of the screws appear loose, and there is no visible wear. Does anyone have experience with this issue and can advise how to permanently stop the squeaking? What kind of maintenance or lubricant would be best for this? Is there a specific set of steps I should follow to avoid damaging the chest of drawers?

I appreciate any tips!

Sarwaldo schrieb:
The noise comes from the drawer area when you pull them out or just lightly bump the front.

Ah, I know that one! My MALM also used to make those annoying squeaky noises. My tip: try using liquid silicone spray (available at hardware stores for furniture or windows) instead of WD-40. It lubricates well, doesn’t attract dust, and is safe for wood surfaces.

Spray a little into the drawer runners and the metal parts, and the squeaking should decrease. Just be careful not to use too much, or it might run out and get messy on the outside 😉 Good luck – please let us know if it helps! 🙂

I would like to go into a bit more detail here, because the squeaking in MALM dressers is not always caused solely by the runners, but often by the interaction of several components.

First: MALM drawers usually have metal or plastic runners with small ball bearings or sliding mechanisms, which can squeak due to inverted small metal tabs, dust buildup, or dryness.

My suggestion:
1. Remove completely: take out the drawer – this often requires pressing a lever or tab on the runner.
2. Clean the runner rails thoroughly: use a lint-free cloth and possibly some dish soap or isopropanol. Make sure no residue remains.
3. After drying, apply a suitable lubricant to the moving parts, e.g., silicone spray or lithium grease. Important: NO oil, as it attracts dust.
4. Also check the edges of the drawers and the contact areas, as wood-on-wood can also cause squeaking.

I ask: Are your runners made of metal or plastic? This matters when choosing the lubricant.

Another point: If the dresser is older, micro cracks or altered fitting of the drawers could also be the source of the noise.

The problem with squeaky furniture is really annoying; I can completely understand how disruptive it can be, especially when you want to relax in the evening but can’t get rid of the annoying noise.

Maybe the dresser is also under some tension? Sometimes the alignment of the dresser changes over time, especially if it’s not standing completely level, causing the drawers not to slide smoothly.

Have you tried moving or adjusting the dresser slightly so that everything is level?

Sometimes it also helps to reinstall or slightly adjust the drawers if there is any looseness. Just an idea before you start using oil.

Silicone spray is the best tip.

Remove the drawers, clean the tracks, and apply a light spray.

This will make them operate quietly.

FAZAR schrieb:
Are the slides in your case made of metal or plastic?

To add: In newer generations of MALM dressers, the slide rails are mostly made of metal, sometimes with plastic covers.

Cleaning with isopropanol is recommended because it evaporates without leaving any residue or greasy film that would attract dust.

After that, apply a thin layer of silicone spray or lithium grease to reduce friction and noise.

Oils or WD-40 are not advisable in the long term, as they are coarse and tend to attract dust.

Additionally, the screws mounting the slides should be checked, as mechanical stresses there can cause noise.