ᐅ How can you reduce the noise from Ikea Hemnes drawers?

Hello everyone, some time ago I got an Ikea Hemnes sideboard with drawers and I am basically happy with it. However, I have noticed that the drawers are quite noisy and rattling when opened and closed. What bothers me most is the sometimes rather sharp squeaking and the dull rattling on the drawer slides and the wood itself.

I have already tried to realign the drawers a bit, but that only helped to some extent. Now I am very interested in learning practical and effective ways to reduce the noise on the Hemnes drawers—whether there are special products or technical tricks, if the drawer slides should be modified or lubricated, if foam rubber or felt pads help, or if there are even better solutions.

Who has had similar experiences and can offer tips that are effective, easy to implement, and long-lasting? Thank you in advance!

Rontar schrieb:
I have already tried realigning the drawers a bit, but that only helped to a limited extent.

Hello Rontar, I’m very familiar with the problem of rattling and squeaking drawers in Ikea Hemnes furniture. The usually simple wooden slides are often the cause of the noise.

Here are my tips:
- First, check if the drawers are clean and dry, as dust and moisture increase noise.
- A dry silicone spray or a special furniture glide spray can work wonders; definitely avoid oil or WD-40, as these attract dirt.
- Place thin felt strips or foam rubber along the inner sides of the drawers where wood meets wood or metal.
- Make sure all screws and fasteners are tightened properly.
- If possible, replace the drawer slides with softer glides available at hardware stores.

Good luck!

Just spray the drawer slides lightly with some silicone spray – it often makes a big difference and is quick to do.

Rontar schrieb:
Now I’m very interested in how to specifically and practically reduce the noise from the Hemnes drawers – whether there are special products or technical tricks, if the guides should be modified or lubricated, if foam rubber or felt pads help, or if there are even better solutions.

To thoroughly address your issue, the entire mechanism should be analyzed. The Hemnes series uses wooden runners that slide on and within wood – this naturally generates friction and squeaking noises.

My step-by-step suggestion is as follows:

- Pull out the drawers and clean all contact surfaces thoroughly, removing dust or dirt.
- Check whether all wooden parts fit correctly and if there are no gaps or other irregularities.
- Apply a thin layer of a wax product, such as beeswax or furniture wax, to the guide rails. Wax reduces friction better than oil.
- Alternatively, custom-cut foam rubber or felt strips placed exactly where wood meets wood can help. Make sure they are not too thick; otherwise, the drawers may jam.
- If the noises occur mainly when the drawer is closed, small plastic bumpers glued on the top side of the drawer could help to decouple metal or wood contact.

I wonder: How old is the furniture? Does the noise occur with all drawers or only some? And how often do you use the furniture so that you can estimate if wear is a factor?

asete schrieb:
I’m wondering, though: How old is the furniture? Does the noise occur with all the drawers or only some of them?

The furniture is just under 6 months old, and the noises occur with all the drawers, but to varying degrees. The squeaking is most noticeable with the largest drawer.

RON57 schrieb:
Place thin felt strips or foam rubber along the inside edges of the drawers where wood meets wood or metal.

Could you possibly recommend where to find suitable felt strips and how best to attach them so they stay in place long-term?

Rontar schrieb:
Could you possibly recommend where to find suitable felt strips and how to apply them so they last over time?

You can find felt strips at hardware stores or craft shops, usually as self-adhesive rolls. It’s important that they are not too thick; about 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 inches) is usually sufficient. The surface where you will stick them should be dry and free of grease. Clean it first with a lint-free cloth and, if needed, wipe it with alcohol. Press the strips firmly in place and ideally avoid stressing them for 24 hours to allow the adhesive to set properly.

If your drawers have wood-on-wood contact, you can place the strips on the inner edges—this cushions the friction and effectively reduces noise.

If the strips wear out over time, you can simply replace them.