ᐅ Malm dresser squeaks when moved – how to lubricate it without leaving residue?
Created on: 2 Jul 2020 08:11
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Gauleif4
Hello everyone,
I have a Malm dresser from IKEA that increasingly squeaks when moved or slid around. It’s especially annoying because the dresser often needs to be repositioned or pushed against the wall. I understand that the noise usually comes from the hinges or the moving parts of the drawers, and I suspect that applying some lubricant might help.
My question is: How can I lubricate the Malm dresser thoroughly and appropriately without leaving any residue that could stain the floor or furniture? Are there specific oils or lubricants that remain discreet yet durable? What is the best way to identify the exact squeaky spots and treat them without damaging the dresser?
I would appreciate any detailed instructions, tips, or product recommendations!
I have a Malm dresser from IKEA that increasingly squeaks when moved or slid around. It’s especially annoying because the dresser often needs to be repositioned or pushed against the wall. I understand that the noise usually comes from the hinges or the moving parts of the drawers, and I suspect that applying some lubricant might help.
My question is: How can I lubricate the Malm dresser thoroughly and appropriately without leaving any residue that could stain the floor or furniture? Are there specific oils or lubricants that remain discreet yet durable? What is the best way to identify the exact squeaky spots and treat them without damaging the dresser?
I would appreciate any detailed instructions, tips, or product recommendations!
To effectively and completely eliminate squeaking in the Malm dresser, the following steps are recommended:
1. Lightly empty the dresser and carefully tilt it to access all moving parts of the drawer slides and hinges.
2. Clean all contact surfaces from dust, dirt, and residues using isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth. This ensures optimal adhesion of the lubricant.
3. Apply a clear, fast-drying PTFE-based dry lubricant or silicone spray. These leave no liquid residue.
4. Immediately wipe off any excess lubricant with a lint-free cloth to prevent stains on the floor or furniture.
Avoid applying multiple thick layers, as this can attract dust and worsen the problem.
1. Lightly empty the dresser and carefully tilt it to access all moving parts of the drawer slides and hinges.
2. Clean all contact surfaces from dust, dirt, and residues using isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth. This ensures optimal adhesion of the lubricant.
3. Apply a clear, fast-drying PTFE-based dry lubricant or silicone spray. These leave no liquid residue.
4. Immediately wipe off any excess lubricant with a lint-free cloth to prevent stains on the floor or furniture.
Avoid applying multiple thick layers, as this can attract dust and worsen the problem.
To permanently and completely resolve the squeaking issue in a Malm chest of drawers, precision in lubrication is essential. Here is a step-by-step process I recommend:
1. Squeak Analysis: First, identify precisely whether the noise comes from the metal drawer runners, plastic glides, or the hinges. This can usually be determined by gently moving the drawer and listening carefully.
2. Cleaning: Use a mild cleaning agent and a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the runners. Small brushes can be helpful to reach into corners if needed. Dust before lubrication is a common mistake.
3. Material Inspection: The Malm chest often features metal runners with plastic inserts. Avoid using oily lubricants on the plastic parts, as they can damage or cause swelling of the material.
4. Recommendation: For metal-on-metal areas, I prefer using a PTFE-based dry lubricant (also known as "Teflon spray"). It creates a dry coating that eliminates squeaking, repels dust, and does not become sticky.
5. Application: A few light sprays are sufficient. After application, fully extend and retract the drawer several times to evenly distribute the lubricant.
6. Caution: Do not apply too much, as excess lubricant can run off and leave stains on the floor. Wipe away any surplus quickly.
Tip: If the squeak originates from the hinges on the back panel (often screwed in), use graphite powder instead. It leaves no stains and works very well on hinges.
1. Squeak Analysis: First, identify precisely whether the noise comes from the metal drawer runners, plastic glides, or the hinges. This can usually be determined by gently moving the drawer and listening carefully.
2. Cleaning: Use a mild cleaning agent and a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the runners. Small brushes can be helpful to reach into corners if needed. Dust before lubrication is a common mistake.
3. Material Inspection: The Malm chest often features metal runners with plastic inserts. Avoid using oily lubricants on the plastic parts, as they can damage or cause swelling of the material.
4. Recommendation: For metal-on-metal areas, I prefer using a PTFE-based dry lubricant (also known as "Teflon spray"). It creates a dry coating that eliminates squeaking, repels dust, and does not become sticky.
5. Application: A few light sprays are sufficient. After application, fully extend and retract the drawer several times to evenly distribute the lubricant.
6. Caution: Do not apply too much, as excess lubricant can run off and leave stains on the floor. Wipe away any surplus quickly.
Tip: If the squeak originates from the hinges on the back panel (often screwed in), use graphite powder instead. It leaves no stains and works very well on hinges.
TYRELL schrieb:
I would like to share a step-by-step process here:Thank you very much, this sounds exactly like what I was looking for – a detailed guide with explanations about the materials and recommendations is very helpful.
So far, I have mostly noticed squeaking from the drawer slides, but I hadn’t consciously considered the role of plastic before.
Could you say a bit more about how to best determine whether plastic or metal components are involved? I haven’t opened or closely inspected the slides on my Malm dresser yet.
Gauleif4 schrieb:
Could you say a bit more about how to best determine whether plastic or metal is involved?I would simply pull the drawer out and closely examine the rails using a phone light or a flashlight. Usually, the outer parts are made of metal, while the inner guides and slides are made of plastic.
If you carefully run your hand along them, you can often quickly feel whether it’s smooth metal or a softer plastic.
Important: Pull the drawer out completely and place it securely to avoid any damage.
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PECLARISSA2 Jul 2020 12:35One more little lifehack: you can also use a paperclip or a toothpick to better feel the guides and distinguish between the materials. Especially by touch, you get a great sense of the difference between metal and plastic – at least that’s how it was for me 😄
PECLARISSA schrieb:
You can also use a paperclip or a toothpick to better feel the guides and distinguish between the materials.That’s a good tip. Additionally, some models have a small operating or product ID on the inside of the guide, which can provide information about the exact material.
Alternatively, IKEA also publishes service manuals online that document the materials and construction. It’s worth checking these if they are available.
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