Hello everyone,
I have a specific issue with my Malm dresser from IKEA: after some time, the drawers start to squeak, especially when pulling them out and closing them again. It produces a rather unpleasant, creaking noise that becomes quite annoying over time.
I suspect it might be due to the drawer slides or possibly insufficient lubrication. The squeaking doesn’t seem to be caused by improper installation or overloading, as the drawers squeak both when empty and filled.
Has anyone experienced this problem? How can it be resolved exactly? Is it enough to clean the drawer slides, or do they need to be replaced? What lubricants are best suited to solve this long-term without damaging the mechanics?
I would appreciate concrete advice, as I don’t want to disassemble the whole unit or use unsuitable tools. Thanks in advance!
I have a specific issue with my Malm dresser from IKEA: after some time, the drawers start to squeak, especially when pulling them out and closing them again. It produces a rather unpleasant, creaking noise that becomes quite annoying over time.
I suspect it might be due to the drawer slides or possibly insufficient lubrication. The squeaking doesn’t seem to be caused by improper installation or overloading, as the drawers squeak both when empty and filled.
Has anyone experienced this problem? How can it be resolved exactly? Is it enough to clean the drawer slides, or do they need to be replaced? What lubricants are best suited to solve this long-term without damaging the mechanics?
I would appreciate concrete advice, as I don’t want to disassemble the whole unit or use unsuitable tools. Thanks in advance!
It’s interesting that silicone spray is recommended here, as many people consider WD-40 to be the best product for such cases. I question that: WD-40 is a good solvent, but over time it can leave residues that attract moisture and may actually increase squeaking. Does anyone have scientific experience or tests showing that silicone spray truly works better in the long run? Or are there possibly better alternatives?
Also: Could the squeaking be due to insufficient lateral clearance in the guide? Maybe adjustable screws or mechanisms should be checked?
Also: Could the squeaking be due to insufficient lateral clearance in the guide? Maybe adjustable screws or mechanisms should be checked?
I had the same issue with my Malm – the squeaking happened right when opening the drawer. I simply pulled the drawer all the way out and thoroughly wiped the rails with a cloth. Then I applied silicone spray by spraying a few drops onto a cloth and wiping the rails with it, rather than spraying directly, because that can make it sticky.
Since then, it’s been quiet. Sometimes a little trick helps: slowly pull the drawer out and push it back in a few times so the spray spreads evenly.
And don’t worry, removing the drawer is easy – the MALM is well designed for that 🙂
Since then, it’s been quiet. Sometimes a little trick helps: slowly pull the drawer out and push it back in a few times so the spray spreads evenly.
And don’t worry, removing the drawer is easy – the MALM is well designed for that 🙂
sifope schrieb:
WD-40 is a good solvent, but over time it can leave residues that attract moisture and may actually increase the squeaking.Thanks for the tip, that makes sense, as I did feel the problem wasn’t completely gone for weeks even after using WD-40.
Trate47 schrieb:
I simply pulled the drawer out completely and then thoroughly wiped down the slides with a cloth.Great, thanks for the advice. I will try removing the drawer and then treat it with silicone spray.
Keatondra schrieb:
If that doesn’t help, you should check whether the rollers still rotate freely or if they might be bent.Good idea! I’ll take a closer look at the rollers if the squeaking happens again after refreshing the lubrication.
Both squeaky drawers and other furniture issues can often be fixed with a small arsenal of household remedies 😊
My trick for squeaky drawers is to first remove the drawer, as already mentioned here, then dust everything off and sprinkle some baby powder into the slides. This reduces friction very well and doesn’t attract dirt like oils do.
Silicone spray is great, but if you’re looking for something eco-friendly, baby powder is an alternative that I surprisingly often recommend.
Maybe that will also help quiet down the squeaking party a bit 😉
My trick for squeaky drawers is to first remove the drawer, as already mentioned here, then dust everything off and sprinkle some baby powder into the slides. This reduces friction very well and doesn’t attract dirt like oils do.
Silicone spray is great, but if you’re looking for something eco-friendly, baby powder is an alternative that I surprisingly often recommend.
Maybe that will also help quiet down the squeaking party a bit 😉
Wesley schrieb:
My trick for squeaky drawers is to first remove the drawer, as mentioned here, then dust everything off and sprinkle a little baby powder into the slides.Baby powder is new to me in this context. Sounds good since it doesn’t require any oils or sprays. Has anyone here tried it and can confirm whether it positively affects durability in the long term? Or is there a risk that the powder might harden or clump over time?
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