ᐅ Are KALLAX doors difficult to open due to high humidity – is this normal?

Hello everyone,

About a year ago, I bought an IKEA KALLAX shelving unit with doors. For the past two months, I have noticed that the doors are increasingly difficult to open and close, especially when it gets more humid outside or inside the apartment. The hinges are neither bent nor damaged, and I have already cleaned and lubricated the doors. The humidity in my apartment has mostly been between 65 and 75 percent in recent weeks – probably due to the season and increased ventilation with open windows.

My question is: Is it normal for KALLAX doors to become harder to operate with high humidity? Or could this indicate a material issue or manufacturing defect? Has anyone had similar experiences or tips on how to permanently solve this problem? I want to avoid damaging the furniture by adjusting or lubricating it too often.

Thanks in advance for your feedback and advice!

This is actually quite common with furniture made from chipboard or MDF. High humidity causes the material to swell slightly, which can warp the door frames and make the doors harder to open. Just make sure to ventilate regularly and lightly oil the hinges; this will improve the situation.

KESIRI schrieb:
That is actually quite typical for furniture made of particleboard or MDF.

I generally agree with that, but I would like to add: The extent to which the doors’ swelling actually affects their functionality also depends on the quality control and the type of fittings used. In the case of KALLAX, it is usually a cost-effective construction that is not optimally protected against moisture.

Burkhard10 schrieb:
Or could there be a material defect or a production error here?

That is possible, but in my opinion, rather unlikely, since if all the doors are affected, it is probably a general issue with the material. Have you checked whether the doors are properly aligned and whether the screws of the hinges are tight? Sometimes they are slightly loose, which affects their movement.

Hey Burkhard10,

I think the topic "Heavy KALLAX doors in high humidity" is definitely a classic 😄. The good news is: you’re not alone with this issue!

Burkhard10 schrieb:
I want to avoid causing damage to the furniture by adjusting or oiling it too often.

In my experience, it does help to lubricate the hinges now and then. But use a mild lubricant, not an aggressive one like WD-40, as rust usually isn’t a concern otherwise. Especially with the KALLAX shelving unit, you can also briefly take the doors off to gently sand the edges where they meet the cabinet. This often makes operation smoother.

Just try to keep a lighthearted view—it’s not the first piece of furniture to have “aches and pains” from autumn air ;-)

By the way: if the problem worsens in winter, it might help to improve air circulation a bit, while making sure the furniture doesn’t stay damp for long periods.

KESIRI schrieb:
This is actually quite typical for furniture made from particleboard or MDF.

I find it a bit too general to claim this without more precise measurements of the relative humidity and the material itself. In fact, the swelling behavior of wood-based panels depends greatly on the surface sealing. IKEA products are often coated with melamine resin or lacquer, which should limit moisture absorption.

Danial schrieb:
How much the swelling affects functionality also depends on the quality of the fittings.

I agree with that – and I wonder if it might simply be due to poor fitting or installation errors. Poorly or unevenly mounted hinges also cause doors to sag or become difficult to move, which only worsens with moisture.

A precise readjustment might help more than just “simply oiling” or “ventilating.” I would suggest carefully removing the doors, checking the hinges (to see if they are damaged or bent), and if necessary contacting IKEA directly in case of a potential material defect.

theo63 schrieb:
Maybe a precise adjustment helps more than just "oiling" or "ventilating."

Thanks for the tip, theo63. I removed the doors today and can confirm the hinges are still intact, but some screws were a bit loose. After tightening them, I reinstalled the doors – opening and closing is noticeably smoother now.

TARAON schrieb:
Take the doors off briefly to lightly sand the edges where they meet the cabinet frame.

That sounds like a good suggestion – I will try it carefully, although the areas are really minimal. I will also continue to monitor the humidity and perhaps use a small dehumidifier.

Danial schrieb:
Have you checked if the doors are aligned properly and the hinge screws are tight?

Yes, that’s exactly what I did just now.

Thanks again for the valuable advice, it’s helping me manage the issue better.