Hello everyone,
I have an IKEA Malm dresser that makes quite an annoying squeaking noise when opening and closing the drawers. I suspect it might be due to the slides or moving parts, but I am not completely sure.
I am mainly interested in how to effectively and permanently stop the squeaking without having to remove the drawers entirely or replace any parts. What methods or materials work well to solve this issue?
Are there specific lubricants or simple household remedies that reliably fix the problem? And should I focus more on cleaning the slides or lubricating them to achieve the best result?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
I have an IKEA Malm dresser that makes quite an annoying squeaking noise when opening and closing the drawers. I suspect it might be due to the slides or moving parts, but I am not completely sure.
I am mainly interested in how to effectively and permanently stop the squeaking without having to remove the drawers entirely or replace any parts. What methods or materials work well to solve this issue?
Are there specific lubricants or simple household remedies that reliably fix the problem? And should I focus more on cleaning the slides or lubricating them to achieve the best result?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Katan schrieb:
What worked really well for me: Just sprinkle a bit of talcum powder [...] into the tracks.Interesting tip! Until now, I had only thought of liquids and not powder. That sounds like an inexpensive and easy approach. I’ll have to try it out.
Thanks! Do you have any experience with silicone spray, whether it might possibly damage or soften the plastic parts? Because I don’t want to harm the rollers.
M
Marlenepa30 Aug 2023 16:57Hello nar54,
Silicone spray is generally very compatible with both plastic and metal. It leaves a protective and lubricating layer that does not become sticky. You can safely use it on Malm dressers. It is important not to apply too much spray, as excess lubricant can attract dust.
I recommend cleaning thoroughly before lubricating. When using silicone spray, pull the drawer in and out several times afterwards to ensure the spray is evenly distributed.
Be careful not to spray it on wooden surfaces, as it may cause stains.
If you are considering other lubricants, pay close attention to the ingredients—some oil- or grease-based products can react with plastic.
Silicone spray is generally very compatible with both plastic and metal. It leaves a protective and lubricating layer that does not become sticky. You can safely use it on Malm dressers. It is important not to apply too much spray, as excess lubricant can attract dust.
I recommend cleaning thoroughly before lubricating. When using silicone spray, pull the drawer in and out several times afterwards to ensure the spray is evenly distributed.
Be careful not to spray it on wooden surfaces, as it may cause stains.
If you are considering other lubricants, pay close attention to the ingredients—some oil- or grease-based products can react with plastic.
Ethan schrieb:
WD-40 is less ideal because of its oily consistency, as it attracts dust.However, I need to add something here: WD-40 often works wonders at first against squeaky mechanisms, especially due to its penetrating effect. But in the long term, I do see the problem as well – dust accumulation and dirt build-up increase.
If you use this product, in my opinion, it should not be the long-term solution but rather the first step in cleaning. After that, you should definitely apply a dry lubricant.
Also: Does anyone know how lubricants behave with the heat generated from frequent opening and closing of the Malm dresser? Do some binders break down and affect long-term performance?
kasan schrieb:
WD-40 often works wonders at first on squeaky mechanisms[...] In my opinion, it shouldn’t be the long-term solutionExactly, kasan, I completely agree. WD-40 is actually a multi-purpose product with short-term effects, mainly used for loosening rust and removing dirt. It is not intended for long-lasting protection.
The heat generated during frequent use is rather low. The dresser and rails are not subjected to extreme stress like engine parts, for example. I wouldn’t worry about the lubricant breaking down. It is more important that they do not become contaminated and affect functionality.
Dry lubricants such as PTFE or silicone are the best choice for indoor furniture.
Nakar33 schrieb:
Fully pull out the drawers, check the screws, clean with isopropanol, spray a thin layer of PTFE lubricantI'm a bit skeptical about this: How often does someone actually take the time for such a thorough cleaning?
Often, even a minimal difference is enough, and when a dresser is older, the mechanism wears out. In that case, lubrication won’t help much; replacement is usually necessary.
However, I like the suggestion, especially the simple step of readjusting the screws. It would be interesting to know how many users actually follow through with this.
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