ᐅ The Malm dresser often squeaks – how can it be permanently fixed?

Hello everyone, I have an Ikea Malm dresser whose drawers are increasingly squeaking, especially when I pull them out or push them in. As far as I can tell, the noise comes from the metal rails and the plastic wheels or possibly the wood itself. So far, I have tried using some oil, but that only provided a short-term fix—the squeaking returns quickly. My question is: How can I permanently stop the frequent squeaking on the Malm dresser, preferably without major disassembly or expensive special tools? Are there any proven home remedies or methods that really help in the long term? Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

Hello, usually it is enough to clean the running rails thoroughly and then treat them with a dry lubricant such as silicone spray. Oil can attract dust, which quickly causes the squeaking to return.

Hello loshanee62, I am familiar with your problem. The first important step is to thoroughly clean the entire track and the rollers from dust, lint, and old lubricant, ideally using a cloth and isopropanol. After that, I recommend using silicone spray, as it does not become sticky and lasts a long time. If you still have plastic rollers, make sure they are not damaged or warped – sometimes replacing them helps the drawer run quietly. If you like, I can also provide you with some detailed steps.

LEEJU schrieb:
Oil can attract dust, which quickly causes the squeaking to return.

Interesting point, thanks for the tip – I had used regular machine oil because I thought it would help.

Ethan schrieb:
If you still have plastic rollers, make sure they are not damaged or warped.

Exactly, the rollers still look fine, no visible cracks or anything similar.

Detailed steps would be great, especially on how exactly to apply the silicone spray and what to watch out for when cleaning. Is there an alternative if I don’t have isopropanol at home? Thanks!

Gladly! First, fully remove the drawer, then completely extend the runners and carefully clean them with a clean, lint-free cloth. If needed, you can replace isopropanol with denatured alcohol, provided it is pure enough.

Next, spray some silicone lubricant onto a cloth and wipe the runners with it – avoid spraying directly, as that can sometimes cause a mess. Do not spray the plastic rollers directly; instead, thoroughly lubricate the runners. Then, slide the drawer in and out several times to evenly distribute the lubricant.

If you do this regularly, the squeaking should disappear permanently. 🙂

It's interesting how everyone immediately suggests lubricants here. But have you considered that the squeaking isn't only caused by a lack of lubrication? Especially with the Malm dresser, the wood can slightly swell due to moisture, which affects the fit and increases friction. It's purely a mechanical issue.

My guess is that a long-term repair requires not just maintaining the drawer slides but possibly adjusting the guiding elements or minimally reworking the wooden parts to prevent rubbing.

Has anyone ever fully disassembled the Malm and smoothed or readjusted the wooden strips? In my opinion, that would be a more sustainable solution than just using lubricants.