ᐅ How can I prevent the Malm drawers from jamming?

Hello everyone, I have a quite specific question: How can I prevent the drawers from getting stuck on my IKEA Malm bed?

The problem occurs whenever the drawers don’t slide evenly or if some material has warped. Especially with wooden drawers running on a metal frame, small deviations seem to lead directly to the drawers getting stuck. I use the drawers for storing clothes, and some of them are quite full.

Does anyone have experience with possible causes and, above all, practical solutions to prevent the drawers from sticking permanently? It would be great if you could also address any possible adjustments or preventive measures. Thanks!

The most common cause of jamming is dirty or bent drawer slides. Simply clean all the slides, apply lubricant, and check if the drawers are properly aligned.

Hello Lepudra, I understand your issue well – with the Malm drawers, it is easy for the precise mechanism to become misaligned. The first important step is to carefully inspect the drawer slides: dirt particles or small foreign objects can interfere with smooth movement. It also helps to completely unload the drawer and check each component for warping or damaged edges.

Next, I would recommend lightly lubricating the slides – ideally with a dry silicone spray, since oil or grease tends to attract dust quickly. There are often small screws that allow you to slightly adjust the alignment of the guides. If the drawer is heavily loaded, relieving or redistributing the weight can also help.

If these measures do not resolve the problem, it may be worth replacing the drawer slides, as they can wear out over time.

Tobias schrieb:
Most often, jamming occurs due to dirty or bent runners.

That is correct. Additionally, I can note that Malm drawers usually use metal runners with ball bearings, which can become blocked due to moisture or uneven loading. It is worthwhile to carefully check for bent metal parts.

Furthermore, the precise positioning of the drawer along the runners is essential. Even small deviations of a few millimeters can cause friction points. It is best to measure whether the runners are aligned parallel using a tape measure and adjust accordingly.

Also, the drawers should not be overloaded: the manufacturer’s maximum load capacity is typically about 30 kg (66 lbs). Exceeding 25 kg (55 lbs) significantly increases the risk of jamming.

Takutau schrieb:
Next, I would recommend lightly lubricating the sliding rails—preferably with a dry silicone spray

In addition, the lubricant must be completely dry to prevent dust from sticking. I would explicitly avoid using WD-40, as it can become sticky over time.

It can also help to attach small felt strips on the sides of the wooden drawer where they come into contact with the metal. This reduces friction and cushions any minor irregularities.

When installing, did you check if the drawer bottoms are truly level? A warped bottom shifts the weight unevenly, which increases the chance of jamming.

Hey Lepudra, I know this issue from my own experience! 🙂 Malm drawers really need proper care, otherwise they can get stuck sometimes.

My advice: every now and then, take all the drawers out completely, clean them thoroughly, then carefully lubricate them with silicone spray, making sure the runners aren’t bent.

What I also did was attach small felt pads to the wooden edges, which really helps reduce sticking :-)

And honestly: not overfilling the drawers always helps too – keeping the load moderate is the best way to prevent problems! Good luck, you’ll definitely manage it! 😉