ᐅ How do you properly lubricate Malm drawers to ensure they slide smoothly?

Hello everyone, I have a small issue with my IKEA Malm drawers. They look great, but often they don’t open and close as smoothly as I would like. I suspect that lubricating the drawer slides might help.

My specific question is: How do you properly lubricate Malm drawers for easy and smooth operation without causing drips or damaging the mechanism?

I’m especially interested in which lubricants are suitable (oil, grease, silicone?), how to best prepare the drawers (cleaning, etc.), and if there are any special tips that should definitely be considered.

Best regards and thanks in advance for the helpful answers!

Hello faikni,

regarding your question: For Malm drawers, lubrication mainly depends on proper preparation and using the right lubricant.

First, I would recommend completely removing the drawers and thoroughly cleaning the runners, preferably with a dry cloth and possibly some rubbing alcohol or a mild cleaning agent to remove dust, dirt, and old residues.

The best lubricants are silicone spray or Teflon spray because they are non-sticky, do not attract dust particles, and are gentle on the mechanical parts. Regular oil or grease can quickly become sticky and attract dust, which would be counterproductive.

Spray the lubricant sparingly into the runners—avoid using too much, as this can cause dripping. Then, move the drawer in and out several times to distribute the lubricant.

If the drawer still sticks despite this, check if the runners are properly aligned or if anything is bent.

Hope this helps! 🙂

Renla47 schrieb:
The best lubricants are silicone spray or Teflon spray because they are not sticky.

I completely agree. I once used regular oil out of laziness, and afterward, the drawers became almost unusable because it got so sticky and attracted dust.

I always feel a bit uneasy working on furniture parts like that because I’m afraid of damaging something or making the piece look ugly. But using silicone spray was really easy and clean.

By the way, it also helps to clean the drawers slightly before the first lubrication—you can really notice the difference.

Looking forward to hearing your experience, faikni!

Renla47 schrieb:
Spray the lubricant sparingly into the tracks, not too much

Thanks, that makes sense. Do you have any experience on whether it's enough to reapply the silicone spray every few months, or should it be done more often?

And what about cleaning – is simply wiping dry sufficient, or should the tracks also be washed occasionally with a mild detergent? I don’t want to damage anything, and I’m concerned that detergent residues might negatively affect the lubricant.

Looking forward to more tips.

To address your last questions, faikni:

I would recommend inspecting the tracks monthly and applying the silicone spray approximately every 3 to 6 months, depending on how often they are used.

Regarding cleaning, usually wiping them dry is sufficient, especially if there is no heavy dirt buildup.

If the tracks are very dirty, gentle cleaning with water and a mild dish soap can help, but be sure to let them dry thoroughly before applying the lubricant.

Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the surface or leave residues, as this can reduce the sliding performance.

Briefly my recommendation:

1. Remove the drawer.
2. Wipe the drawer slides dry.
3. Spray a thin layer of silicone spray.
4. Open and close the drawer several times.

This is usually enough to improve the movement.