Hello everyone,
I plan to maintain some Malm furniture from Ikea, specifically the drawer slides and metal runners, which sometimes stick or squeak when opening and closing.
I am interested in how to properly lubricate Malm furniture to improve smooth movement without damaging the mechanism or the furniture itself.
Are there specific lubricants recommended, or particular techniques I should be aware of? I’m also curious if there are differences between metal and plastic parts and when to lubricate supply or running rollers.
Additionally, it would be helpful to know whether the furniture needs to be fully disassembled for this, or if it can be done effectively while still assembled.
I look forward to your tips, especially from those who have used and maintained Malm furniture for a longer time.
I plan to maintain some Malm furniture from Ikea, specifically the drawer slides and metal runners, which sometimes stick or squeak when opening and closing.
I am interested in how to properly lubricate Malm furniture to improve smooth movement without damaging the mechanism or the furniture itself.
Are there specific lubricants recommended, or particular techniques I should be aware of? I’m also curious if there are differences between metal and plastic parts and when to lubricate supply or running rollers.
Additionally, it would be helpful to know whether the furniture needs to be fully disassembled for this, or if it can be done effectively while still assembled.
I look forward to your tips, especially from those who have used and maintained Malm furniture for a longer time.
T
taMoniqu6814 Apr 2015 08:42I always use silicone spray for metal rails like these. It works well, doesn’t gum up, and has hardly any smell.
You don’t need to remove the drawers completely; just pull them out and apply the spray thinly.
You don’t need to remove the drawers completely; just pull them out and apply the spray thinly.
V
valerie-tr14 Apr 2015 09:11For better clarity:
The Malm system is basically designed so that the metal rails are equipped with ball bearings. They are usually combined with plastic guides.
1. Lubricants: Silicone or Teflon spray is ideal because it doesn’t gum up and doesn’t attract dust. I would not recommend WD-40, as it is more of a penetrating oil and tends to collect dirt over time.
2. Procedure: Carefully pull the drawers out completely, if necessary release the locking clips on the runners, then wipe down the rails and bearings. Afterwards, apply the lubricant sparingly. Be cautious with plastic parts, as some oils can damage plastic.
3. Lubricate plastic parts only sparingly or not at all, since they are naturally quite slippery.
4. Check the rollers mainly for cracks and dirt, clean them, and if needed treat with a light oil or silicone spray.
I would like to know: Do you use the furniture daily or only occasionally? This affects the lubrication intervals.
The Malm system is basically designed so that the metal rails are equipped with ball bearings. They are usually combined with plastic guides.
1. Lubricants: Silicone or Teflon spray is ideal because it doesn’t gum up and doesn’t attract dust. I would not recommend WD-40, as it is more of a penetrating oil and tends to collect dirt over time.
2. Procedure: Carefully pull the drawers out completely, if necessary release the locking clips on the runners, then wipe down the rails and bearings. Afterwards, apply the lubricant sparingly. Be cautious with plastic parts, as some oils can damage plastic.
3. Lubricate plastic parts only sparingly or not at all, since they are naturally quite slippery.
4. Check the rollers mainly for cracks and dirt, clean them, and if needed treat with a light oil or silicone spray.
I would like to know: Do you use the furniture daily or only occasionally? This affects the lubrication intervals.
valerie-tr schrieb:
I would like to know: Do you use the furniture daily or only occasionally?Thank you for the detailed tips. The furniture is used daily, sometimes several times a day. Especially the drawers of my dresser are frequently used.
Can you also tell me if the furniture should be cleaned before oiling? And what about maintenance products like furniture wax or surface oils? I only want to lubricate the mechanism but not damage the visible wood surfaces.
A structured approach is advisable:
1. Completely remove the drawers; this is important to avoid damaging the mechanism.
2. Clean all visible metal and plastic guides with a microfiber cloth to remove old dust, grease, and volatile residues.
3. Lubricants: Physically adhering products like silicone spray or special PTFE sprays for furniture slides are best suited. They leave a thin film that reduces friction and does not attract dust.
4. Apply lubricants sparingly to prevent dripping.
5. Special care is needed with plastic interfaces – only use lubricants that do not affect plastics (e.g., silicone spray approved for plastics).
6. After lubricating, reinstall the drawers and open and close them several times to distribute the lubricant evenly.
Important: Avoid contact between the lubricant and furniture surfaces, as this can cause stains or discoloration.
What do your guides look like exactly? Have you removed any old lubricants, or is this the first time you are maintaining them?
1. Completely remove the drawers; this is important to avoid damaging the mechanism.
2. Clean all visible metal and plastic guides with a microfiber cloth to remove old dust, grease, and volatile residues.
3. Lubricants: Physically adhering products like silicone spray or special PTFE sprays for furniture slides are best suited. They leave a thin film that reduces friction and does not attract dust.
4. Apply lubricants sparingly to prevent dripping.
5. Special care is needed with plastic interfaces – only use lubricants that do not affect plastics (e.g., silicone spray approved for plastics).
6. After lubricating, reinstall the drawers and open and close them several times to distribute the lubricant evenly.
Important: Avoid contact between the lubricant and furniture surfaces, as this can cause stains or discoloration.
What do your guides look like exactly? Have you removed any old lubricants, or is this the first time you are maintaining them?
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