Hello everyone,
I have several MALM dressers from IKEA with the typical drawers that unfortunately start to become difficult to open and close after some time. I imagine that it’s not just about cleaning, but possibly also maintenance or minor repairs of the sliding rails or rollers.
Could someone provide specific tips on how to make the MALM drawers operate smoothly again? What kind of care is recommended, and are there any proven home remedies or particular lubricants that work best? If it’s necessary to disassemble anything, a brief instruction would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance for your support!
I have several MALM dressers from IKEA with the typical drawers that unfortunately start to become difficult to open and close after some time. I imagine that it’s not just about cleaning, but possibly also maintenance or minor repairs of the sliding rails or rollers.
Could someone provide specific tips on how to make the MALM drawers operate smoothly again? What kind of care is recommended, and are there any proven home remedies or particular lubricants that work best? If it’s necessary to disassemble anything, a brief instruction would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance for your support!
Hello belagi,
I would be happy to give you a brief guide on how to make your MALM drawers operate smoothly:
1. Fully pull out and remove the drawer (press the metal clips that secure the rails to do this).
2. Clean the inside of the rails with a damp cloth and some dish soap to remove dust and dirt. Be careful not to get it too wet to prevent water from getting into the mechanism!
3. Let it dry thoroughly.
4. Then apply a thin layer of silicone spray (do not use oil, as it becomes sticky) to the running rails and rollers.
5. Reinsert the drawer and open and close it several times to distribute the lubricant.
Common mistakes:
- Using grease oil (it quickly becomes sticky and attracts dust)
- Skipping a thorough cleaning before lubrication
With this method, my drawers have been running smoothly again for years.
I would be happy to give you a brief guide on how to make your MALM drawers operate smoothly:
1. Fully pull out and remove the drawer (press the metal clips that secure the rails to do this).
2. Clean the inside of the rails with a damp cloth and some dish soap to remove dust and dirt. Be careful not to get it too wet to prevent water from getting into the mechanism!
3. Let it dry thoroughly.
4. Then apply a thin layer of silicone spray (do not use oil, as it becomes sticky) to the running rails and rollers.
5. Reinsert the drawer and open and close it several times to distribute the lubricant.
Common mistakes:
- Using grease oil (it quickly becomes sticky and attracts dust)
- Skipping a thorough cleaning before lubrication
With this method, my drawers have been running smoothly again for years.
Oh, this topic is great! 🙂
I had the same problem with my MALM chest of drawers, and after a bit of tinkering, the drawers are sliding like new again!
The key is not just to push or pull, but also to check the screws and the rails themselves. Sometimes they get a little misaligned, which causes them to stick.
I also used fine sandpaper (grit 400) to gently smooth out some rough spots. Then applied a bit of silicone spray—boom! Smooth operation guaranteed :-)
I had the same problem with my MALM chest of drawers, and after a bit of tinkering, the drawers are sliding like new again!
The key is not just to push or pull, but also to check the screws and the rails themselves. Sometimes they get a little misaligned, which causes them to stick.
I also used fine sandpaper (grit 400) to gently smooth out some rough spots. Then applied a bit of silicone spray—boom! Smooth operation guaranteed :-)
Hello belagi,
I want to structure my response so you can follow the process clearly:
1. Diagnosis: First, check if the drawers are difficult to open due to dirt or wear. Completely remove the drawer for this.
2. Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the screws, rails, and rollers. I recommend using isopropanol or vinegar water (use sparingly).
3. Lubrication: Silicone spray is ideal. Alternatively, PTFE spray also works. Do not use oil or grease, as they attract dust.
4. Alignment: Check if the rails are properly aligned. Any twists or bent tracks need to be straightened.
I fully agree with this.
That’s a thoughtful initiative, but please be careful not to damage the metal or plastic parts.
In summary: clean, lubricate, check, and if necessary, correct the rails. This should lead to a noticeable improvement.
I want to structure my response so you can follow the process clearly:
1. Diagnosis: First, check if the drawers are difficult to open due to dirt or wear. Completely remove the drawer for this.
2. Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the screws, rails, and rollers. I recommend using isopropanol or vinegar water (use sparingly).
3. Lubrication: Silicone spray is ideal. Alternatively, PTFE spray also works. Do not use oil or grease, as they attract dust.
4. Alignment: Check if the rails are properly aligned. Any twists or bent tracks need to be straightened.
GALENKU schrieb:
danach empfehle ich Silikonspray als Schmiermittel
I fully agree with this.
Golekau schrieb:
Ich habe zusätzlich feines Schleifpapier (Körnung 400) genutzt
That’s a thoughtful initiative, but please be careful not to damage the metal or plastic parts.
In summary: clean, lubricate, check, and if necessary, correct the rails. This should lead to a noticeable improvement.
Hello belagi,
I’m glad to see you’re approaching this topic in such detail. To make your MALM drawers slide smoothly, I would recommend the following comprehensive procedure:
- First, fully extend all drawers and carefully pull them out. This is important to access all components of the drawer slides.
- Next, use a soft cloth to remove all dirt. For stubborn residues, a little warm water with mild dish soap helps—never use harsh cleaners!
- Once the slides are dry, you can apply a fine silicone spray. It provides good lubrication and is safe for plastic parts, which are often used.
- Important: Apply the spray thinly, avoiding drips to prevent dust or lint from accumulating.
- If present, check if the rollers and drawer slides are bent or damaged. Minor unevenness can be gently smoothed with fine sandpaper.
- Finally, slowly open and close the drawers several times to evenly distribute the lubricant.
If the problem persists, a complete replacement of the slide systems might be necessary. IKEA offers replacement parts.
Good luck! 🙂
I’m glad to see you’re approaching this topic in such detail. To make your MALM drawers slide smoothly, I would recommend the following comprehensive procedure:
- First, fully extend all drawers and carefully pull them out. This is important to access all components of the drawer slides.
- Next, use a soft cloth to remove all dirt. For stubborn residues, a little warm water with mild dish soap helps—never use harsh cleaners!
- Once the slides are dry, you can apply a fine silicone spray. It provides good lubrication and is safe for plastic parts, which are often used.
- Important: Apply the spray thinly, avoiding drips to prevent dust or lint from accumulating.
- If present, check if the rollers and drawer slides are bent or damaged. Minor unevenness can be gently smoothed with fine sandpaper.
- Finally, slowly open and close the drawers several times to evenly distribute the lubricant.
If the problem persists, a complete replacement of the slide systems might be necessary. IKEA offers replacement parts.
Good luck! 🙂
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