Hello everyone,
I plan to maintain some Malm furniture from Ikea, specifically the drawer slides and metal runners, which sometimes stick or squeak when opening and closing.
I am interested in how to properly lubricate Malm furniture to improve smooth movement without damaging the mechanism or the furniture itself.
Are there specific lubricants recommended, or particular techniques I should be aware of? I’m also curious if there are differences between metal and plastic parts and when to lubricate supply or running rollers.
Additionally, it would be helpful to know whether the furniture needs to be fully disassembled for this, or if it can be done effectively while still assembled.
I look forward to your tips, especially from those who have used and maintained Malm furniture for a longer time.
I plan to maintain some Malm furniture from Ikea, specifically the drawer slides and metal runners, which sometimes stick or squeak when opening and closing.
I am interested in how to properly lubricate Malm furniture to improve smooth movement without damaging the mechanism or the furniture itself.
Are there specific lubricants recommended, or particular techniques I should be aware of? I’m also curious if there are differences between metal and plastic parts and when to lubricate supply or running rollers.
Additionally, it would be helpful to know whether the furniture needs to be fully disassembled for this, or if it can be done effectively while still assembled.
I look forward to your tips, especially from those who have used and maintained Malm furniture for a longer time.
Fareo65 schrieb:
What exactly do your drawer runners look like? Have you removed the old lubricant or is it the initial lubrication?This is a used dresser that I bought. It doesn’t seem like there is any fresh lubricant left, but I’m not sure if any was applied before. The runners are neither burnt in nor visibly dirty – so I suspect that at most, there are some household dust deposits.
I don’t want to treat the surface or the wooden parts, but rather these invisible mechanical components.
I agree with the previous comments but would like to add that when using secondhand furniture, it is essential to pay close attention to cleanliness.
Older furniture may have a buildup of dust and grease on the slides, which can cause them to stick. Therefore, I recommend the following procedure:
- First, clean the slides with a slightly damp cloth (water with a small amount of neutral dish soap), then wipe again with a dry cloth.
- Only apply lubricant once everything is completely dry.
- Teflon or silicone spray lubricants are recommended because they do not become sticky.
- During assembly, be careful not to bend or overstretch any parts.
- Finally, open and close the drawers several times to work the lubricant in.
One question from my side: Are your drawer slides metal with ball bearings, or simple sliding rails?
Older furniture may have a buildup of dust and grease on the slides, which can cause them to stick. Therefore, I recommend the following procedure:
- First, clean the slides with a slightly damp cloth (water with a small amount of neutral dish soap), then wipe again with a dry cloth.
- Only apply lubricant once everything is completely dry.
- Teflon or silicone spray lubricants are recommended because they do not become sticky.
- During assembly, be careful not to bend or overstretch any parts.
- Finally, open and close the drawers several times to work the lubricant in.
One question from my side: Are your drawer slides metal with ball bearings, or simple sliding rails?
asete schrieb:
Are your guide rails made of metal with ball bearings, or are they simple sliding rails?They are made of metal, yes, and have small ball bearings integrated. The rails run quite smoothly but tend to stick slightly, which makes me suspect there is too little or poor-quality lubricant.
I always find it somewhat amusing how quickly people want to lubricate these kinds of mechanisms – especially with IKEA furniture!
Honestly, they are not designed for permanent durability, and often a proper cleaning is completely sufficient.
Applying too much lubricant too often usually just attracts more dirt and dust, which in the long run leads to increased friction.
I would rather recommend proper cleaning first, then – very sparingly – a silicone spray. And handle it gently! Most problems actually arise from improper handling or overdoing it.
If you care about your furniture, you might want to be cautious with any “improvement attempts” ;-)
Honestly, they are not designed for permanent durability, and often a proper cleaning is completely sufficient.
Applying too much lubricant too often usually just attracts more dirt and dust, which in the long run leads to increased friction.
I would rather recommend proper cleaning first, then – very sparingly – a silicone spray. And handle it gently! Most problems actually arise from improper handling or overdoing it.
If you care about your furniture, you might want to be cautious with any “improvement attempts” ;-)
Muso4 schrieb:
If you love your furniture, you might want to be careful with "improvement attempts" ;-)I agree with that, but sometimes a small adjustment is necessary when something sticks and becomes annoying to open.
Personally, I think it’s worth regularly checking the drawer mechanisms to avoid bigger problems and frustration. I see lubricating them as maintenance rather than a risky procedure.
The balance is crucial – too much lubricant is just as bad as too little. So far, very good advice, thanks for the many perspectives shared here.
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