ᐅ Kallax and Drawer Inserts Are Hard to Open – How to Lubricate Them?

Hello everyone, I recently bought a Kallax shelving unit from Ikea and use drawer inserts with it. Unfortunately, these inserts are quite stiff, making them difficult to pull out. I’m wondering if and how it’s best to lubricate the drawer inserts to improve their smoothness without damaging the material or the shelving unit. Does anyone know suitable lubricants or methods that are especially appropriate for the plastic or wood materials used in Kallax and its drawer inserts? It’s also important to me to know if there are certain ingredients to avoid in order to prevent stains or warping. Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

The drawer inserts for the Kallax shelving unit are often made of wood or MDF with plastic runners. For lubrication, I recommend a dry PTFE spray or silicone spray. These are grease-free, leave no residue, and are compatible with the materials. I would avoid oil or WD-40, as these can damage wood and also attract dust and dirt. Before applying, clean the inserts and runners thoroughly, for example with isopropanol, to remove dust and old residues. Then apply only a thin layer to reduce stiffness. The application is quick and effective. If you rely on plastic sliding surfaces, specialized plastic lubricants may be even more suitable.

Hello Gavinlu, here is a brief guide on how to solve the Kallax drawer insert issue:

1. Cleaning: Remove all inserts and thoroughly clean the sliding rails and edges. It’s best to use a microfiber cloth and isopropanol to ensure no greasy residues remain.

2. Choice of lubricant: As mentioned before, silicone spray works best. It protects against dirt and prevents the wood from swelling. PTFE spray is also an excellent alternative.

3. Application: Spray very lightly on the runners and pull the inserts in and out several times to distribute the lubricant.

4. Caution with oil: "

raelto schrieb:
I would avoid oil or WD-40 as they can be harmful to wood

" – that’s exactly right! Oil attracts dust and tends to cause problems over time.

5. Check: Test the drawers for a day after lubricating, and repeat the process if needed.

For maintenance, you can also treat the wood lightly with furniture wax or hard wax oil, but only outside the sliding rail areas. This keeps the shelf looking well cared for.

I hope this helps you!

Hello Gavinlu!

This is a great topic! I had exactly the same problem with my Kallax and the drawer inserts – it’s really annoying when they’re so stiff to open. 😃

I used a silicone spray, which works really well! Just sprayed it on, spread it a little, and now everything slides much more smoothly! 🙂

My tip: Make sure to clean thoroughly first, otherwise the lubricant won’t have any effect! Good luck, it’ll definitely work!

Good morning!

Maybe one final tip from my experience: When oiling the drawer inserts, be careful to avoid getting lubricants on visible and decorative surfaces to prevent stains.

Use spray lubricants cautiously as well: Always maintain enough distance so you only treat the guide areas precisely. If possible, use a small brush or cotton swab to apply the lubricant exactly.

One more thing: Sometimes the inserts are slightly warped or the side panels are dirty. If that’s the case, lightly sanding the edges with fine sandpaper can help reduce friction.

I hope this helps you thoroughly with your project!