Hello everyone,
About a year ago, I bought the IKEA Malm chest of drawers, and recently the drawers have been squeaking louder and louder when opened, especially the bottom drawer. The sound seems like metal rubbing against metal, possibly from the drawer slide or the roller mechanism. I have already tried cleaning the slides and carefully applying a few drops of oil, but that only helped temporarily.
Does anyone have experience with how to fix this squeaking permanently? Are there any specially recommended lubricants or replacement parts that are easy to buy? Or is it better to replace the entire drawer slide? I would prefer not to have to completely take the chest apart if I can avoid it.
Thanks for your advice!
About a year ago, I bought the IKEA Malm chest of drawers, and recently the drawers have been squeaking louder and louder when opened, especially the bottom drawer. The sound seems like metal rubbing against metal, possibly from the drawer slide or the roller mechanism. I have already tried cleaning the slides and carefully applying a few drops of oil, but that only helped temporarily.
Does anyone have experience with how to fix this squeaking permanently? Are there any specially recommended lubricants or replacement parts that are easy to buy? Or is it better to replace the entire drawer slide? I would prefer not to have to completely take the chest apart if I can avoid it.
Thanks for your advice!
P
praWarre694 Feb 2020 18:43Kameo schrieb:
I have already tried cleaning the rails and carefully applying a few drops of oilThat’s a good first step! Sometimes it’s not just about oil but the right lubricant. Instead of oil, I would recommend trying a dry PTFE spray, which attracts less dust and is especially suitable for sliding tracks like those on your drawers.
Also, have you checked the guide rails thoroughly? Sometimes small plastic parts or rollers can be worn out, causing the squeaking. If you notice anything, replacement parts from the IKEA service center might help.
A little insider tip: sprinkling some talcum powder (yes, baby powder!) between the rails can sometimes work wonders :-) Just give it a try!
I had a similar issue with my Malm dresser. In my case, the drawer slides were slightly bent – that causes everything to squeak because the mechanism no longer runs smoothly.
That’s really good advice. However, I first bought new slides from IKEA. The old ones were simply worn out. If the squeaking doesn’t improve after lubrication, I would recommend replacing the slides. The Malm drawers are usually pretty easy to take apart.
And honestly: who likes squeaky furniture when you can have silent, smooth operation instead? ;-) Just check if the drawer can be completely removed from the slides – there are usually small levers you need to press.
praWarre69 schrieb:
Sprinkling a bit of talcum powder between the tracks can sometimes work wonders :-)
That’s really good advice. However, I first bought new slides from IKEA. The old ones were simply worn out. If the squeaking doesn’t improve after lubrication, I would recommend replacing the slides. The Malm drawers are usually pretty easy to take apart.
And honestly: who likes squeaky furniture when you can have silent, smooth operation instead? ;-) Just check if the drawer can be completely removed from the slides – there are usually small levers you need to press.
I would like to take a somewhat more critical look at this topic. The squeaking often does not result solely from a lack of lubrication or faulty rails, but also from incorrectly adjusted drawers.
That can of course be true, but first you should check whether the drawer is properly aligned and correctly installed. IKEA furniture is modular, but small deviations during assembly can lead to stresses. These stresses often cause such friction noises.
Therefore, my recommendation is to completely remove the drawer, check whether the runners and rollers are positioned correctly, and ensure the drawer itself is not deformed. Only then should you apply lubricants or replace parts. Otherwise, you might only be treating symptoms without addressing the root cause.
rekijan schrieb:
In my case, it was because the drawer slides were slightly bent
That can of course be true, but first you should check whether the drawer is properly aligned and correctly installed. IKEA furniture is modular, but small deviations during assembly can lead to stresses. These stresses often cause such friction noises.
Therefore, my recommendation is to completely remove the drawer, check whether the runners and rollers are positioned correctly, and ensure the drawer itself is not deformed. Only then should you apply lubricants or replace parts. Otherwise, you might only be treating symptoms without addressing the root cause.
Here are some structured tips for troubleshooting:
1. Identify the cause: The squeaking in the IKEA Malm chest of drawers often originates from the metal rails guiding the drawer. Check for rust, dirt buildup, or damage to the rollers or plastic guides.
2. Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the rails with a dry cloth. Avoid using greasy cloths, as they attract more dirt.
3. Lubrication: Use only dry lubricants such as PTFE or silicone spray. Oil-based lubricants attract dust and can cause increased squeaking over time.
4. Mechanical inspection: Ensure all screws and fasteners of the drawer are tight and secure, as loose fittings can also cause noise.
5. Replacement parts: If plastic rollers or running rails are damaged, consider replacing them. IKEA offers these spare parts separately.
Conclusion: A systematic approach is essential to locate the noise source and fix it effectively.
1. Identify the cause: The squeaking in the IKEA Malm chest of drawers often originates from the metal rails guiding the drawer. Check for rust, dirt buildup, or damage to the rollers or plastic guides.
2. Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the rails with a dry cloth. Avoid using greasy cloths, as they attract more dirt.
3. Lubrication: Use only dry lubricants such as PTFE or silicone spray. Oil-based lubricants attract dust and can cause increased squeaking over time.
4. Mechanical inspection: Ensure all screws and fasteners of the drawer are tight and secure, as loose fittings can also cause noise.
5. Replacement parts: If plastic rollers or running rails are damaged, consider replacing them. IKEA offers these spare parts separately.
Conclusion: A systematic approach is essential to locate the noise source and fix it effectively.
To solve the problem as simply and effectively as possible, I have put together a short guide that fits exactly with the topic "IKEA Malm dresser squeaks when opening – repair?":
1. Fully remove the drawer from the dresser: For the Malm series, you need to carefully lift the drawer and release it on the sides.
2. Visual inspection: Check the slides and rollers for breaks, cracks, or deformation. A minor damage is often the cause of the squeaking.
3. Cleaning: Remove dust and old lubricant residue with a lint-free cloth.
4. Apply lubricant: Avoid oils or greases; instead, use a PTFE spray or silicone-based spray suitable for plastic and metal parts.
5. Reinsert the drawer: Make sure it clicks in properly so the guide functions optimally.
6. Test: Opening and closing the drawer should now feel noticeably smoother and squeak-free.
A small tip at the end: If you don’t have access to a spray mechanism, graphite powder for drawers can also be an alternative. It is dry and does not create mess.
If problems persist, it may also help to contact IKEA customer service. Sometimes they even offer replacement parts or tips specific to Malm dressers.
1. Fully remove the drawer from the dresser: For the Malm series, you need to carefully lift the drawer and release it on the sides.
2. Visual inspection: Check the slides and rollers for breaks, cracks, or deformation. A minor damage is often the cause of the squeaking.
3. Cleaning: Remove dust and old lubricant residue with a lint-free cloth.
4. Apply lubricant: Avoid oils or greases; instead, use a PTFE spray or silicone-based spray suitable for plastic and metal parts.
5. Reinsert the drawer: Make sure it clicks in properly so the guide functions optimally.
6. Test: Opening and closing the drawer should now feel noticeably smoother and squeak-free.
A small tip at the end: If you don’t have access to a spray mechanism, graphite powder for drawers can also be an alternative. It is dry and does not create mess.
If problems persist, it may also help to contact IKEA customer service. Sometimes they even offer replacement parts or tips specific to Malm dressers.
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