Hello everyone, I have a question that probably concerns some MALM owners here: How can the durability of the MALM drawers be improved?
I’m specifically referring to the longevity of the drawer slides and contact surfaces, as after about two years, opening and closing has become increasingly difficult, and there are now some minor damages on the edges.
What material are the runners made of, and which lubricants or maintenance products can be used safely? Are there any upgrades that can be installed by oneself, such as stronger slides or alternative bearings?
I look forward to your experiences and tips!
I’m specifically referring to the longevity of the drawer slides and contact surfaces, as after about two years, opening and closing has become increasingly difficult, and there are now some minor damages on the edges.
What material are the runners made of, and which lubricants or maintenance products can be used safely? Are there any upgrades that can be installed by oneself, such as stronger slides or alternative bearings?
I look forward to your experiences and tips!
B
barEsperan24 Feb 2017 11:47Replacing the glides and regular maintenance are essential. I unscrew and clean my Malm drawers every six months, then treat them with silicone spray. This has significantly improved their durability.
Merlin schrieb:
Silicone spray is ideal for lubricationI am skeptical about whether it is always the best choice. Silicone spray can cause slight swelling in some plastics.
I would recommend testing it on an inconspicuous area first and also considering long-term experience before applying it extensively.
Furthermore, I wonder if the drawer design itself might be a weak point, for example due to the thin particle board quality and the absence of more robust metal rails.
To truly improve the durability of the MALM drawers, in addition to maintenance and, if necessary, replacing the sliding rails, it is also recommended to reinforce the support surfaces.
One method is to attach thin strips made of solid wood or aluminum to the inside of the sidewalls to better distribute the load. It is important to work precisely to avoid changing the drawer's dimensions.
Although this is somewhat time-consuming, the effort is worthwhile in the long run because it reduces damage to the inner edges.
At the same time, you can retrofit sturdy metal slides, which are often available at hardware stores and can be mounted with appropriate wall plugs.
How heavily are your drawers loaded? Does the furniture piece experience high loads in everyday use?
One method is to attach thin strips made of solid wood or aluminum to the inside of the sidewalls to better distribute the load. It is important to work precisely to avoid changing the drawer's dimensions.
Although this is somewhat time-consuming, the effort is worthwhile in the long run because it reduces damage to the inner edges.
At the same time, you can retrofit sturdy metal slides, which are often available at hardware stores and can be mounted with appropriate wall plugs.
How heavily are your drawers loaded? Does the furniture piece experience high loads in everyday use?
Parbo schrieb:
How heavily loaded are the drawers for you? Does the piece of furniture experience heavy daily use?Thank you for the suggestions! The drawers are moderately loaded, for example with binders and some heavy folders.
I use a single MALM chest of drawers with four drawers, which are opened several times a day.
I could try adding strips if that helps distribute the pressure better; it sounds reasonable.
Are there any recommended materials or manufacturers? Would it be better to customize this personally, or can you buy ready-made parts?
farli schrieb:
I am skeptical about whether that is always the best solutionThe concerns about silicone spray on plastic are understandable; however, most furniture care sprays are specifically formulated for plastic gliders. These are usually PTFE-based sprays that are non-aggressive and do not cause swelling.
Even with long-term use, many users report minimal to no material degradation.
Regarding stability: the particleboard-type frame is definitely not designed for extremely heavy loads.
Reinforcing the side panels is advisable, for example with additional wooden strips or thin metal brackets on the inside to better distribute the load.
If you’d like, I can provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide on how to do this.
PIN66 schrieb:
I can understand that many users have had good experiences, but to me, this sounds like an insufficiently tested practice.I am simply an advocate for data and long-term stress analysis. Before applying chemical treatments, one should examine how they affect both the warranty and environmental compatibility. Often, there are alternative mechanical solutions that are more sustainable.
Reinforcing the bearing surfaces seems to me a better approach if you want to use the furniture for a really long time.
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