Hello everyone,
I have an IKEA Malm dresser that makes quite an annoying squeaking noise when opening and closing the drawers. I suspect it might be due to the slides or moving parts, but I am not completely sure.
I am mainly interested in how to effectively and permanently stop the squeaking without having to remove the drawers entirely or replace any parts. What methods or materials work well to solve this issue?
Are there specific lubricants or simple household remedies that reliably fix the problem? And should I focus more on cleaning the slides or lubricating them to achieve the best result?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
I have an IKEA Malm dresser that makes quite an annoying squeaking noise when opening and closing the drawers. I suspect it might be due to the slides or moving parts, but I am not completely sure.
I am mainly interested in how to effectively and permanently stop the squeaking without having to remove the drawers entirely or replace any parts. What methods or materials work well to solve this issue?
Are there specific lubricants or simple household remedies that reliably fix the problem? And should I focus more on cleaning the slides or lubricating them to achieve the best result?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello nar54,
Regarding your issue: The squeaking in Malm dressers usually comes from the metal rails or plastic rollers rubbing against each other. In most cases, it actually helps to thoroughly clean the area first before applying any lubricant. Dust and dirt often make the squeaking much worse.
For lubricants, I recommend either silicone spray or a special PTFE spray (Teflon), as these don’t stay greasy and don’t attract dust. WD-40 is less ideal because of its oily consistency, which attracts dust.
It’s best to fully pull out the drawer to expose the rails, then wipe them down. After that, spray lightly and carefully move the drawer back and forth several times so the lubricant spreads well.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Regarding your issue: The squeaking in Malm dressers usually comes from the metal rails or plastic rollers rubbing against each other. In most cases, it actually helps to thoroughly clean the area first before applying any lubricant. Dust and dirt often make the squeaking much worse.
For lubricants, I recommend either silicone spray or a special PTFE spray (Teflon), as these don’t stay greasy and don’t attract dust. WD-40 is less ideal because of its oily consistency, which attracts dust.
It’s best to fully pull out the drawer to expose the rails, then wipe them down. After that, spray lightly and carefully move the drawer back and forth several times so the lubricant spreads well.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Hello nar54,
I agree with Ethan’s basic idea of cleaning and lubricating but would like to add a few extra details that are often overlooked.
The squeaking is caused by friction between two adjacent materials, often metal on metal or metal on plastic, where even minor irregularities are enough. So before applying any lubricant, please check if the rails are properly aligned mechanically. Often, slight deformation causes tolerances that cannot be fixed by lubrication alone.
Here is my step-by-step suggestion:
1. Fully remove the drawers.
2. Check all screws on the rails and guides and tighten or adjust them if needed.
3. Clean the rails with a lint-free cloth and isopropanol; this removes grease and dirt residues.
4. If possible, inspect any movable plastic rollers for cracks or breaks, as these can also cause noise.
5. Then spray a thin layer of dry PTFE spray (no oil-based products) to prevent dust from sticking again.
I would not recommend home remedies like oil or petroleum jelly, as these often cause sticking or attract dust.
Can you describe the type of rails on your dresser in more detail? Are they full-extension runners with rollers or simple metal slides?
I agree with Ethan’s basic idea of cleaning and lubricating but would like to add a few extra details that are often overlooked.
The squeaking is caused by friction between two adjacent materials, often metal on metal or metal on plastic, where even minor irregularities are enough. So before applying any lubricant, please check if the rails are properly aligned mechanically. Often, slight deformation causes tolerances that cannot be fixed by lubrication alone.
Here is my step-by-step suggestion:
1. Fully remove the drawers.
2. Check all screws on the rails and guides and tighten or adjust them if needed.
3. Clean the rails with a lint-free cloth and isopropanol; this removes grease and dirt residues.
4. If possible, inspect any movable plastic rollers for cracks or breaks, as these can also cause noise.
5. Then spray a thin layer of dry PTFE spray (no oil-based products) to prevent dust from sticking again.
I would not recommend home remedies like oil or petroleum jelly, as these often cause sticking or attract dust.
Can you describe the type of rails on your dresser in more detail? Are they full-extension runners with rollers or simple metal slides?
Nakar33 schrieb:
Can you describe the type of slides on your dresser in more detail? Are they full-extension slides with rollers or simple metal runners?Good question! I just took a closer look: they are actually the typical metal full-extension slides with small plastic rollers that run inside guide rails. The rollers don’t appear damaged or cracked, but they are definitely the source of the noise.
I haven’t seen any way to replace the rollers, or is there a special spare part from IKEA for this? I would rather not replace the entire slide if possible.
nar54 schrieb:
I haven’t seen any way to replace the rollers, or is there a special replacement part from IKEA for that?IKEA Malm dressers do indeed use metal full-extension drawer slides with plastic components that are usually fixed in place. It’s generally difficult to buy replacement rollers separately, as IKEA does not offer individual rollers for sale.
If the rollers are heavily worn, often the only solution is to replace the entire drawer slide. However, if the rollers still look intact, a thorough cleaning and the right lubricant are usually enough. This helps prevent wear and reduces squeaking.
Ah, the classic Malm squeak! 🙂
What worked really well for me was simply sprinkling a bit of talcum powder (yes, the same stuff you find at the drugstore) lightly into the tracks.
The talcum reduces the friction between plastic and metal almost like a Teflon coating. Then, just slide the drawer up and down a few times – and voilà, no more noise.
Of course, this isn’t a “high-tech” fix, but sometimes it’s the little tricks that help.
Also: make sure the drawers are properly aligned. I once had a problem where an overloaded drawer was slightly tilted, which made the squeaking worse. So, fill it up and then check it out :-)
What worked really well for me was simply sprinkling a bit of talcum powder (yes, the same stuff you find at the drugstore) lightly into the tracks.
The talcum reduces the friction between plastic and metal almost like a Teflon coating. Then, just slide the drawer up and down a few times – and voilà, no more noise.
Of course, this isn’t a “high-tech” fix, but sometimes it’s the little tricks that help.
Also: make sure the drawers are properly aligned. I once had a problem where an overloaded drawer was slightly tilted, which made the squeaking worse. So, fill it up and then check it out :-)
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