ᐅ How can I make Malm drawers slide more smoothly?

Hello everyone, I have several Malm dressers from IKEA, and the drawers are getting increasingly difficult to open and close. This is especially noticeable with the larger drawers, which sometimes stick or don’t slide as smoothly as they did initially. I suspect it might be due to the drawer slides or possibly wear on the materials. I’m interested in knowing: What practical methods or tools do you use to make Malm drawers run more smoothly again? Are there reliable maintenance products, adjustable mechanisms, or simple tricks that work without having to disassemble the drawers? I look forward to your experiences and suggestions, thank you!

Hello filippok55,

your question is very well formulated and a common issue with IKEA furniture. I have fixed this myself several times and here is a brief guide on how to make your Malm drawers slide more smoothly:

1. Pull out the drawer and check the rails: Dust and small particles often accumulate in the metal runners, which makes movement difficult.

2. Clean the runners thoroughly with a dry cloth and possibly a small brush.

3. Do not use oil; instead, use a dry lubricant such as silicone spray or graphite powder. Oil can become sticky and attract dust.

4. Check if the drawer is properly installed and whether the runners are still straight. Sometimes the metal can bend slightly.

5. If the drawer remains difficult to move, simply remove it completely and adjust or clean the runner rails.

In summary: cleanliness, dry lubricant, and correct installation are the key to success. Hope this helps you!

In addition to what klo40 has already mentioned, I would check if any foreign objects or small workpiece parts are stuck between the drawer slides. Even slight deformations caused by transport or use can cause such problems.

Sometimes, it’s enough to carefully lift the drawer and reposition the rollers on the guide rail. If your Malm dresser has rollers under the drawers, their functionality should also be checked.

It is also important to fully pull the drawer out and push it back in several times after cleaning and lubricating, to distribute the lubricant evenly.

If the drawer sticks, often simply readjusting the screws on the side rails can help. Both loose and overly tight screws can cause issues.

klo40 schrieb:
Do not use oil, but rather a dry lubricant such as silicone spray or graphite powder. Oil can become sticky and attract dust.

I am wondering: Are there studies or reliable sources comparing silicone spray with other common lubricants specifically for furniture like Malm? I want to avoid relying solely on hearsay, as sometimes fine oils have their advantages if not used excessively.

sifope schrieb:
I wonder: Are there any studies or reliable sources that compare silicone spray with other common lubricants specifically for furniture like Malm?

Based on my many years of experience with furniture, I can say that dry lubricants like silicone or graphite are preferred not only for their effectiveness but also because they attract less dust. They help prevent dirt buildup, which otherwise causes drawers to stick again after a short time.

Oils (e.g., WD-40) may theoretically work better in the short term, but they often leave a greasy residue that quickly becomes dirty again. This has been practically tested and confirmed by various DIY forums.

There are hardly any scientific studies in the strict sense because this is a very specific application, but practical experience clearly shows advantages.