ᐅ How should Ikea PAX drawers and hardware be properly maintained?

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased an Ikea Pax system and am especially interested in the proper care of the drawers and built-in fittings. Specifically, I would like to know which cleaning products and maintenance methods are suitable to keep both the surfaces and the hinges, rollers, and drawer slides durable and fully functional. Are there any special precautions to take during cleaning to avoid material damage or loss of function?

I look forward to your specific tips and experiences!

For the maintenance of Ikea PAX drawers, I generally recommend avoiding aggressive cleaning agents, as the surfaces are often coated with melamine resin and are therefore sensitive to solvents.

- Usually, a damp cloth and some mild dish soap are sufficient for cleaning.
- For the fittings, especially hinges and drawer slides, a specially designed silicone spray should be used to protect and lubricate the sliding mechanism.
- Oils or strongly abrasive cleaners should be avoided, as they can leave residues or clog the mechanism.

An additional note on handling the fittings in PAX systems: The running rails are usually made of metal with plastic guides. These plastic parts should not be lubricated with grease, as grease attracts dust and can impair functionality.

- It is important to keep the running rails dry and, if necessary, apply a very small amount of suitable Teflon or silicone spray.

- Regular checks for dirt buildup and occasional dusting with a handheld vacuum cleaner or brush help maintain proper operation.

This prevents jamming and wear from friction.

To maintain the PAX drawers and their fittings, I would like to add some technical details:

- The drawer fronts are often made of MDF with a foil coating. It is important to avoid abrasive cloths or cleaning agents here to prevent scratches and wear.

- For the drawer slides, two key points apply: First, after removing the drawer, the slides should be thoroughly dusted off; second, the guides should be treated very sparingly with a suitable lubricant – preferably a silicone spray based on PTFE.

- It is advisable to apply the lubricant with a small nozzle spotwise to avoid excess, which could attract dust and cause the mechanism to stick.

- Hinges, which often have an adjustment wheel, can also be cleaned with isopropanol before being lightly oiled. It is important, however, that no oil gets onto the front surfaces.

Have you ever experienced issues with squeaky or stiff drawers, or are you mainly interested in preventive maintenance?

Noahlu schrieb:
Have you ever had problems with squeaky or stiff drawers, or is your concern mainly about preventive maintenance?

Thank you for the detailed response! So far, the drawers are still relatively new and work perfectly, so I mainly want to take preventive measures. However, I noticed that my friend’s PAX drawers became somewhat stiff over time, which I definitely want to avoid.

What do you think about cleaning with vinegar water? I’ve heard it’s good for removing lime scale or grease, but I’m unsure if it might damage the coated surface.

bulaetitia schrieb:
What do you think about cleaning with vinegar water? I heard it can be suitable for removing limescale or grease, but I am unsure if it might damage the coated material.

Vinegar water can be risky for coated surfaces because the acid can damage the film coating. I advise against using vinegar directly on PAX drawer fronts or similar surfaces.

For removing grease, mild dish soap, preferably surfactant-based, is recommended.

Vinegar is also unsuitable for fittings and sliding rails, as the acid can corrode the metal parts.