ᐅ Malm drawers are difficult to pull out – how can I make this easier?
Created on: 2 May 2020 14:07
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WELF52Hello everyone,
I have the following issue with my IKEA Malm dressers: the drawers are very difficult to open, which makes daily use quite frustrating. These are not brand-new pieces of furniture, but not really old either – they have been in use for about 3 years. The drawers don’t slide smoothly and seem to stick a bit, especially when loaded.
I’m mainly interested in how to make the drawer operation easier again without having to replace the drawer slides or disassemble the entire piece. Are there any simple maintenance tips or tricks to optimize the existing slides? Maybe the slides are dusty, dried out, or misaligned?
What experiences do you have with Malm drawers that are hard to open?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
I have the following issue with my IKEA Malm dressers: the drawers are very difficult to open, which makes daily use quite frustrating. These are not brand-new pieces of furniture, but not really old either – they have been in use for about 3 years. The drawers don’t slide smoothly and seem to stick a bit, especially when loaded.
I’m mainly interested in how to make the drawer operation easier again without having to replace the drawer slides or disassemble the entire piece. Are there any simple maintenance tips or tricks to optimize the existing slides? Maybe the slides are dusty, dried out, or misaligned?
What experiences do you have with Malm drawers that are hard to open?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
Hello WELF52,
Your issue is typical for drawers with metal runners that tend to accumulate dust, small debris, or dry lubricant over time. Usually, a thorough cleaning of the runners helps. The best approach is to pull the drawer out completely, clean all visible surfaces, and lightly treat them with a soft cloth and some metal lubricant (e.g., WD-40 or silicone spray).
Important: Use only a small amount of spray, just lightly. Then reinsert the drawer and gently slide it in and out several times to distribute the lubricant.
If the runners are bent, you can carefully straighten them with pliers, but be careful not to overdo it.
Regarding adjustment: IKEA Malm drawers often do not have adjustment screws for the runners, so cleaning and lubrication are usually the only options.
If you feel the drawers are overloaded, the weight can also affect how smoothly they slide.
Hope this helps you for now! 🙂
Your issue is typical for drawers with metal runners that tend to accumulate dust, small debris, or dry lubricant over time. Usually, a thorough cleaning of the runners helps. The best approach is to pull the drawer out completely, clean all visible surfaces, and lightly treat them with a soft cloth and some metal lubricant (e.g., WD-40 or silicone spray).
Important: Use only a small amount of spray, just lightly. Then reinsert the drawer and gently slide it in and out several times to distribute the lubricant.
If the runners are bent, you can carefully straighten them with pliers, but be careful not to overdo it.
Regarding adjustment: IKEA Malm drawers often do not have adjustment screws for the runners, so cleaning and lubrication are usually the only options.
If you feel the drawers are overloaded, the weight can also affect how smoothly they slide.
Hope this helps you for now! 🙂
Additional information:
Malm drawers typically use ball-bearing slides. If these become sticky due to dust or residue, it results in increased friction.
Cleaning with isopropanol or a mild solvent can help remove old residue. Afterwards, it is essential to apply a suitable lubricant—silicone or Teflon sprays are ideal because they do not attract dirt.
It is also important to install the drawer correctly and ensure that no material (e.g., silicone residues, wood chips) is caught between the slides, which would make the drawer harder to pull out.
If there is mechanical damage, such as bent metal parts, these should be straightened or replaced.
Perform these steps carefully to avoid voiding any warranty or warranty extensions, if still applicable.
This is a practical approach to easing drawer operation without replacing the entire mechanism.
Malm drawers typically use ball-bearing slides. If these become sticky due to dust or residue, it results in increased friction.
Cleaning with isopropanol or a mild solvent can help remove old residue. Afterwards, it is essential to apply a suitable lubricant—silicone or Teflon sprays are ideal because they do not attract dirt.
It is also important to install the drawer correctly and ensure that no material (e.g., silicone residues, wood chips) is caught between the slides, which would make the drawer harder to pull out.
If there is mechanical damage, such as bent metal parts, these should be straightened or replaced.
Perform these steps carefully to avoid voiding any warranty or warranty extensions, if still applicable.
This is a practical approach to easing drawer operation without replacing the entire mechanism.
Tommy38 schrieb:
The best approach is to fully pull out the drawer, clean all visible surfaces thoroughly, and then lightly treat them with a soft cloth and a bit of lubricant suitable for metal parts (e.g., WD-40 or silicone spray).Thanks, Tommy38, I will definitely give that a try.
Just to be sure: WD-40 is safe to use here, right? I’ve read that some lubricants can actually damage plastic parts.
sihau schrieb:
Silicone or Teflon sprays are ideal since they don’t attract dirt.Could you recommend a specific product for this situation?
And one more technical question: Could incorrect alignment of the drawer on the guide rail make the stiffness problem worse?
Thanks to everyone in advance, your tips are very helpful.
Hello WELF52,
Regarding the substances used: WD-40 is more of a multifunctional oil with light cleaning properties and is not ideal as a lubricant for long-lasting sliding function. While it does remove dirt, it can evaporate quickly and then cause sticking again.
For Malm drawers, which often combine plastic and metal parts, I also recommend silicone spray or Teflon spray, which are specifically designed for sliding surfaces. These protect the mechanism sustainably and attract hardly any dirt.
Concerning alignment: yes, incorrect installation or partially warped drawer slides can significantly hinder smooth movement. In these cases, gently adjusting the slide or aligning the drawer front often helps.
If the drawer no longer runs perfectly vertically, that could also be a reason. Sometimes the front shifts due to load or warping.
I would suggest thoroughly cleaning the drawer first, then applying silicone spray, and afterward checking and, if necessary, adjusting the slide.
Regarding the substances used: WD-40 is more of a multifunctional oil with light cleaning properties and is not ideal as a lubricant for long-lasting sliding function. While it does remove dirt, it can evaporate quickly and then cause sticking again.
For Malm drawers, which often combine plastic and metal parts, I also recommend silicone spray or Teflon spray, which are specifically designed for sliding surfaces. These protect the mechanism sustainably and attract hardly any dirt.
Concerning alignment: yes, incorrect installation or partially warped drawer slides can significantly hinder smooth movement. In these cases, gently adjusting the slide or aligning the drawer front often helps.
If the drawer no longer runs perfectly vertically, that could also be a reason. Sometimes the front shifts due to load or warping.
I would suggest thoroughly cleaning the drawer first, then applying silicone spray, and afterward checking and, if necessary, adjusting the slide.
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