ᐅ How can Malm drawers be made to operate quietly?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought and assembled several IKEA Malm drawers. I noticed that the drawers don’t run very smoothly when opening or closing—they sometimes squeak or catch slightly. Since I plan to use the furniture in a bedroom, having them operate as quietly as possible is very important to me.

My question is: How can Malm drawers be adjusted or treated to ensure they run smoothly and quietly? Are there specific lubricants, adjustment techniques, or construction-related measures you would recommend? What should I pay special attention to in order to make sure the drawers not only run quietly but also last a long time?

I look forward to your experiences and advice.

Hello timisan,

to make Malm drawers run quietly, it is important to first understand the sliding mechanism properly. The Malm design usually uses metal or plastic rails with ball cages. These should be free of dust and dirt – this is often the main cause of noisy movement.

First step: fully extend the drawer and thoroughly clean the sliding rails with a dry, lint-free cloth. Next, check if the rails are firmly mounted. Sometimes a screw can loosen, which causes rattling sounds.

Regarding lubrication, I advise against oil-based products, as they can attract dust. Silicone-based spray lubricants, specially designed for plastic and metal parts, are much better. They provide a durable, thin film that keeps the sliding paths smooth.

Important: apply very sparingly, then open and close the drawer slowly a few times to distribute the lubricant evenly. If your drawers are not properly aligned, you can also check the precise adjustment of the rails by slightly loosening the side guides, positioning the drawer, and then tightening the screws again.

A small tip: some users add felt strips to contact points to reduce creaking – but that’s a matter of personal preference.

Which exact model do you have? Are there any special features in the room or the furniture piece that we should consider?

Malm drawers usually operate smoothly if you treat the rails with silicone spray, remove dust, and tighten the screws. Avoid using oil, as it attracts dust.

Domau0 schrieb:
thoroughly clean the sliding rails with a dry, lint-free cloth

This is a very important point. Especially for fittings on furniture like the Malm series, the rails are designed for precision.

In addition to cleaning, I recommend checking the drawer slides for proper alignment. Improper installation can cause creaking noises, which are often mistaken for “noisy operation.”

timisan schrieb:
How can Malm drawers be treated or adjusted to run really smoothly and quietly?

Besides lubrication and alignment, load capacity also plays a role: overloaded drawers can strain the slides, negatively affecting their movement. Another simple upgrade is to apply felt or foam strips at the contact points under the drawer bottom cover to reduce vibrations.

If the cabinet base or frame is not level, it’s also worth checking that the furniture is standing evenly. An uneven floor transfers movement to the slides.

With these suggestions combined, you have several approaches that can significantly improve quiet and smooth operation.