Hello everyone,
I have a somewhat specific issue with my IKEA KALLAX shelf unit: the drawer inserts (especially the black plastic ones) squeak unpleasantly and quite loudly when I pull them out and push them back in. The noise seems to result from friction on the rails or guides, and I suspect the plastic surfaces do not slide smoothly.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Are there any proven methods to eliminate the squeaking? I am considering lubricating the parts but am unsure which product would be suitable (silicone spray? WD-40? something else?) and whether it might affect the durability.
I am also interested to know if the design of these drawer inserts is prone to noise, and if there might be any structural improvements I could make myself (such as felt strips or rubber bumpers).
I look forward to your tips and experiences. Thank you in advance!
I have a somewhat specific issue with my IKEA KALLAX shelf unit: the drawer inserts (especially the black plastic ones) squeak unpleasantly and quite loudly when I pull them out and push them back in. The noise seems to result from friction on the rails or guides, and I suspect the plastic surfaces do not slide smoothly.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Are there any proven methods to eliminate the squeaking? I am considering lubricating the parts but am unsure which product would be suitable (silicone spray? WD-40? something else?) and whether it might affect the durability.
I am also interested to know if the design of these drawer inserts is prone to noise, and if there might be any structural improvements I could make myself (such as felt strips or rubber bumpers).
I look forward to your tips and experiences. Thank you in advance!
Hello and welcome to the forum,
I can fully understand that squeaking in the KALLAX drawers can be annoying. To solve the problem permanently, I recommend the following steps:
1. Completely pull the drawer out of the unit.
2. Carefully clean the sliding surfaces with a lint-free cloth and some isopropanol to remove grease, dust, and residues.
3. Let it dry.
4. Apply a silicone-based lubricant (silicone spray) evenly but sparingly, especially on the areas that come into contact with each other.
Please avoid oils or WD-40, as these can attract dirt and become sticky.
For additional protection and quieter operation, I have sometimes applied self-adhesive rubber or felt pads at contact points on similar models, but be sure not to make them too wide so the drawer does not stick.
I hope this detailed procedure helps! Feel free to ask if you have any questions 🙂
I can fully understand that squeaking in the KALLAX drawers can be annoying. To solve the problem permanently, I recommend the following steps:
1. Completely pull the drawer out of the unit.
2. Carefully clean the sliding surfaces with a lint-free cloth and some isopropanol to remove grease, dust, and residues.
3. Let it dry.
4. Apply a silicone-based lubricant (silicone spray) evenly but sparingly, especially on the areas that come into contact with each other.
Please avoid oils or WD-40, as these can attract dirt and become sticky.
For additional protection and quieter operation, I have sometimes applied self-adhesive rubber or felt pads at contact points on similar models, but be sure not to make them too wide so the drawer does not stick.
I hope this detailed procedure helps! Feel free to ask if you have any questions 🙂
F
flo-Theres7 Mar 2022 08:54Jeanbar schrieb:
Please avoid oils or WD-40, as they can attract dirt and become sticky.I completely agree. I often see people using WD-40 on plastic guides and then wondering why the parts start to perform worse after a short time. With KALLAX, this is actually counterproductive.
Also, most people don’t realize that WD-40 is not a long-lasting lubricant but rather a multifunctional oil. While it displaces water, it does not provide lasting lubrication.
I had the same issue with my KALLAX drawers. In addition to using silicone spray, I made sure the drawer was properly centered and the slides were not bent. Even small misalignments can cause edge contact and squeaking.
Important: If the drawer wobbles or is pulled crookedly, it increases friction noise. So also check the stability and alignment.
Important: If the drawer wobbles or is pulled crookedly, it increases friction noise. So also check the stability and alignment.
Similar topics