ᐅ How can the durability of MALM drawers be improved?

Hello everyone, I have a question that probably concerns some MALM owners here: How can the durability of the MALM drawers be improved?

I’m specifically referring to the longevity of the drawer slides and contact surfaces, as after about two years, opening and closing has become increasingly difficult, and there are now some minor damages on the edges.

What material are the runners made of, and which lubricants or maintenance products can be used safely? Are there any upgrades that can be installed by oneself, such as stronger slides or alternative bearings?

I look forward to your experiences and tips!

The most important thing is to clean the sliding rails regularly and treat them with silicone spray. Metal runners can be oiled with a bit of Ballistol. Above all, avoid moisture, as it causes the wood to swell.

To specifically improve the durability of MALM drawers, it is important to first understand their construction: MALM often combines metal rails with plastic sliders, which are screwed onto a particle board. These materials are sensitive to moisture and dust.

The best approach is to first remove the drawers and clean all rails, runners, and grooves with a dry cloth or brush. Afterward, a light treatment with silicone spray can be applied, as it does not attract dirt particles and is gentle on plastic sliders.

I would advise against using WD-40, as it can become sticky.

If the rails are already bent or warped, it may be worthwhile to replace them with optionally stronger rails, such as those offered by Hörmann or Blum. However, this is a major task, and you should ensure the screw holes align or that new ones can be drilled.

Could you specify whether the wear is on the guide rails themselves or on the drawer support surfaces? That would help.

PIN66 schrieb:
If the rails are already bent or warped, it’s worth replacing them with optionally stronger rails

Thank you for the detailed response. I actually didn’t find any deformation on the metal rails. It seems more likely that the plastic gliders are worn out and broken in some places. The bearing surfaces on the sides of the drawers are also slightly cracked.

Would you recommend just replacing the plastic gliders or switching to metal gliders? Also, how is lubrication handled when using metal gliders?

I can completely understand how frustrating it is when opening and closing becomes increasingly difficult. The same thing happened to me with my MALM wardrobe, and I spent a long time deciding whether to simply replace it or try to fix it.

What helped me most was mainly maintaining the sliding tracks and carefully adjusting the drawer. Sometimes that alone makes a big difference. I also made sure not to overload it, as that seems to speed up the wear and tear.

You shouldn’t get discouraged; unfortunately, this is quite common with IKEA furniture.

If the plastic gliders are worn out, you should replace them. Spare parts can often be reordered directly from IKEA or obtained through third-party suppliers.

Silicone spray is ideal for lubrication because it doesn’t become sticky or attract dust.