ᐅ Is there a trick to make IKEA Besta drawers easier to open and close?

Hello everyone,

I have some IKEA Besta drawers at home, and I’ve noticed that they can sometimes be quite hard to open and close. Especially when they are loaded with heavier items, the resistance feels quite high.

Is there any trick or proven method to make the Besta drawers easier to operate without having to replace the entire slide or mechanism? I would like to know if there is a specific solution for the Besta systems that improves the movement or reduces friction.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

First, check that the guides are clean and free of any foreign objects. A light application of silicone spray on the sliding rails can often work wonders, making the drawers operate much more smoothly.

The IKEA Besta drawers typically use metal runners with plastic rollers. Resistance is often caused by wear or dirt buildup.

To make opening and closing easier, I recommend:
- Cleaning the rails and rollers with a lint-free cloth
- Using a silicone-based lubricant to reduce friction
- Checking the precise alignment of the drawer, as an uneven installation greatly increases resistance

I would avoid oil-based lubricants, as they can attract dirt.

To take a more technical look at the topic:

Besta drawers feature runners and guides that generally consist of a metal profile and plastic components. If the drawers feel stiff or hard to operate, this is usually due to insufficient lubrication or incorrect adjustment.

I recommend the following procedure:

- Completely remove the drawer: Apply firm pressure and activate the release mechanism on the rollers.
- Visual inspection: Check the runners for dirt, dust, or small foreign objects.
- Cleaning: Wipe with a clean, dry cloth. For stubborn dirt, some isopropanol can be used.
- Lubrication: Use only silicone-based spray. Alternatively, solid PTFE (Teflon) sprays can be applied.
- Check the adjustment: If the drawer is not perfectly parallel to the cabinet frame, it will cause increased friction. Inspect the brackets for this. The IKEA clever adjustment system can help with fine-tuning.

I would be interested to know exactly how your drawers were installed, so I can provide more specific assistance if needed.

Blavin schrieb:
I would avoid oil-based lubricants, as they tend to attract dirt.

Thank you for the tip; I actually made that mistake once and then ended up with even more problems.

Domau0 schrieb:
I’m curious about how exactly the drawers were installed in your case, to see if I can offer more specific advice.

I installed the drawers following the standard IKEA instructions, but when mounting the rails, I wasn’t always sure if the rail was perfectly level because the wall of the Besta frame wasn’t very sturdy. So, it’s quite possible that the drawers aren’t hanging perfectly straight.

Would you recommend replacing the whole frame, or is there a less complicated way to fix this without a major rebuild?

leo45 schrieb:
Would you recommend replacing it, or can this issue be fixed without extensive modification to the cabinet?

The question is whether the rails are fundamentally installed incorrectly or if it’s just a slight imbalance. Minor alignment errors often cause disproportionately high resistance.

Would you say the drawers are sticking or just difficult to operate, but still able to move continuously?

If the slight stiffness is only caused by alignment, you could adjust by adding shims under the cabinet side panels or the rails. This would be possible without a full rebuild.

If the rail is bent or deformed, replacement is the only solution, because otherwise the plastic rollers run on angled surfaces and the mechanism is constantly strained.