ᐅ How can I mechanically ease the movement of MALM drawers?

Hello everyone,

I have several MALM dressers from IKEA at home, and I’m not entirely satisfied with the stiffness of the drawers. Especially when they are fully loaded, the drawers are quite difficult and often jerky to open and close. My question is: How can I mechanically make MALM drawers easier to operate, that is, by simple possible modifications or adjustments to the mechanism or the drawer slides? I’m looking for tips or instructions that go beyond just cleaning—so advice on possible lubricants, part replacements, or small modifications to make the drawers move significantly more smoothly without compromising stability or safety would be appreciated.

Does anyone have experience or recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Hello gla49,

First, it’s important to check the MALM drawer slides for dirt or foreign objects, as debris often causes them to become stiff. If that doesn’t help, a special silicone spray can improve the glide of the plastic and metal components without sticking, unlike grease.

Oil should definitely be avoided, as it attracts dust and causes the drawers to become stiff again after a short time. Some users also recommend replacing the plastic slides if they are heavily worn, but this is usually only worthwhile if you can get a suitable replacement part.

In the end, a minor modification might help, such as swapping the drawer rollers for higher-quality ones, as long as they are compatible. Proper alignment of the slides is crucial since misalignment causes friction.

If you like, feel free to share more details about whether these are older dressers or if the sliding mechanism still seems intact.

flo-Theres schrieb:
Oil should definitely not be used, as it attracts dust

This is a crucial point because the MALM series features a combination of metal and plastic runners, some with built-in ball bearings. I recommend the following step-by-step procedure:

1. Completely remove the drawer to gain unobstructed access to the slides.
2. Thoroughly clean all visible dirt, dust, and residues using isopropanol or spirits, as these solvents dissolve old grease films better than water.
3. Allow the sliding surfaces to dry completely.
4. Then apply a high-quality silicone spray, but use it sparingly and preferably only on the plastic rollers and guide rails.
5. Check that the metal parts show no damage or deformation that could cause mechanical rubbing.

A small tip: If a drawer is especially stiff, it might be due to screws being overtightened or the drawer sides being slightly bent. This can also cause friction.

Question: How old are your MALM units? Some of the older models had different slides than the current ones, which affects the choice of lubricant.

Also: Has it been tried to install the drawers reversed to change the sliding direction? Sometimes this results in noticeably less resistance. 🙂

I would recommend completely removing the drawer slides, cleaning them, and treating them with silicone spray.

Do not use oil. If that does not help, check if the plastic parts are damaged and replace them if necessary.

gla49 schrieb:
How can I make MALM drawers slide more easily through simple, possible modifications or adjustments to the mechanism or the drawer slides?

Hello,

I have several MALM dressers myself and initially experienced similar issues. The first important step is to thoroughly check the slides: unevenness or loose screws can make a big difference.

Here is my recommendation based on personal experience:

- Remove the drawer and take out the slides.
- Clean all parts carefully with a lint-free cloth, including the plastic rollers.
- Then lightly spray with silicone spray or Teflon spray – use sparingly! Too much spray can actually make the problem worse.
- Reinstall the drawer and test if it slides more smoothly.

Some people also swear by a drop of graphite powder, but this is less common for MALM drawers.

If the mechanism already feels heavily worn, I have installed third-party plastic rollers before, which run much more smoothly.

I think a good approach is to start with cleaning and lubrication, and then consider replacing parts if needed. If you have trouble with tightly fastened screws during reinstallation or proper alignment, feel free to ask again—I can help further.