Hello everyone,
I have Malm dressers from Ikea, and unfortunately the drawers are making increasingly squeaky noises when opened and closed. I am especially interested in effective but simple solutions that can be done easily without much effort to permanently eliminate the squeaking.
I suspect the issue might be caused either by dry plastic or metal runners, or by friction between the materials. Has anyone experienced this specific problem? Which products (oils, waxes, lubricants, or technical aids) do you recommend that have proven effective? It is important to me that the solution is not sticky, does not attract dirt, and does not affect the functionality of the drawers.
Thanks for your advice!
I have Malm dressers from Ikea, and unfortunately the drawers are making increasingly squeaky noises when opened and closed. I am especially interested in effective but simple solutions that can be done easily without much effort to permanently eliminate the squeaking.
I suspect the issue might be caused either by dry plastic or metal runners, or by friction between the materials. Has anyone experienced this specific problem? Which products (oils, waxes, lubricants, or technical aids) do you recommend that have proven effective? It is important to me that the solution is not sticky, does not attract dirt, and does not affect the functionality of the drawers.
Thanks for your advice!
To fix squeaking noises in Malm dressers, applying a silicone- or PTFE-based lubricant is most effective. These lubricants sustainably reduce friction between the plastic or metal runners without attracting dust.
Note: Oil-based lubricants like WD-40 are common but can cause dirt and dust buildup, which can be counterproductive in the medium term.
It is also recommended to thoroughly clean the drawer slides before applying lubricant to remove deposits that may cause squeaking.
Note: Oil-based lubricants like WD-40 are common but can cause dirt and dust buildup, which can be counterproductive in the medium term.
It is also recommended to thoroughly clean the drawer slides before applying lubricant to remove deposits that may cause squeaking.
sarla schrieb:
Applying silicone- or PTFE-based lubricant is most effectiveThat may be true, but where exactly is the squeaking coming from? It seems strange that many just recommend lubricating. It could also be due to mechanical issues such as bent tracks or barely visible defects on the rollers or guides.
Has anyone checked whether the squeaking might be caused by uneven load distribution or dirt in completely different areas? Such causes are often overlooked.
faso31 schrieb:
Has anyone already checked whether the squeaking might be caused by uneven load distribution or dirt in completely different areas?Thanks for the suggestion, that’s a good point. I have already inspected the Malm drawers for common mechanical wear points and found nothing unusual. The rails and rollers are straight, with no deformations or cracks, and the guides appear intact.
The squeaking mainly occurs when pulling the drawers in and out, which leads me to suspect that there is indeed friction between the guiding or rolling components, which gets louder due to drying out or material fatigue.
Do any of you have experience with how often lubricants should be reapplied to ensure a lasting solution? Or alternative suggestions in case silicone spray, for example, wears off too quickly?
Hello,
From my own experience, I can confirm that silicone spray is one of the best solutions to stop squeaking in Ikea furniture such as the Malm series. It is important to thoroughly clean the tracks beforehand to remove old residues using isopropanol or a mild cleaning agent.
Alternatively, a Teflon or PTFE spray can be used, which offers similar properties but is sometimes a bit more durable.
Important: Please do not use regular oil, as it usually becomes sticky and attracts dust, which can make the problem worse.
If the squeaking is very pronounced, small amounts of talcum powder applied before lubrication can help reduce friction.
The effect typically lasts for several months, but depending on how often the furniture is used, the procedure should be repeated every 6 to 12 months.
From my own experience, I can confirm that silicone spray is one of the best solutions to stop squeaking in Ikea furniture such as the Malm series. It is important to thoroughly clean the tracks beforehand to remove old residues using isopropanol or a mild cleaning agent.
Alternatively, a Teflon or PTFE spray can be used, which offers similar properties but is sometimes a bit more durable.
Important: Please do not use regular oil, as it usually becomes sticky and attracts dust, which can make the problem worse.
If the squeaking is very pronounced, small amounts of talcum powder applied before lubrication can help reduce friction.
The effect typically lasts for several months, but depending on how often the furniture is used, the procedure should be repeated every 6 to 12 months.
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