ᐅ How to Make IKEA Malm Drawers Slide More Smoothly – Any Tips?

Additionally, I would like to explain the Malm drawer slides in more technical detail to better understand the issue and enable targeted solutions:

The Malm dresser typically uses simple full-extension drawer slides with ball bearing cages. These are inexpensive but not highly precise, so wear can develop over time.

Important: The running rails are made of thin sheet metal, which can easily bend under heavy load or misalignment. This significantly increases friction.

Steps for optimal smooth operation:
1. Remove the drawer and the slides
2. Visually inspect for deformations and dirt – carefully straighten if necessary, but do not apply excessive force as the sheets can break easily
3. Remove dust, hair, and dirt with a brush and compressed air (no water to prevent rust)
4. Lightly apply special grease for metal glides (e.g., Molykote G 4500) or specifically defined sprays (PTFE on a solid film base)
5. Reinstall and check adjustments – slight lateral bending of the drawer is acceptable here
6. Test with an empty drawer – if high friction is already noticeable, the slide should be checked again

Has anyone ever tried an Ikea replacement set for these slides? They cost about 10-20 euros and often replacing them helps more than just lubricating.

Simply clean all metal parts, then apply PTFE spray. Open and close the drawers several times. This prevents squeaking and stiffness.

In addition to cleaning and lubricating, I recommend regularly checking the operation of the drawers and tightening any screws if necessary. Loose fasteners can also negatively affect the movement and make the guide unstable.

Regarding lubrication: PTFE spray is the best choice for smooth operation because it does not become sticky and therefore does not attract dirt. Silicone spray can cause buildup over time.

Sometimes, a drop of sewing machine oil on moving parts can also help, but please use it sparingly!

Thank you for the many detailed answers! The adjustment sounds interesting since I place the dresser slightly unevenly because the floor is not completely level.

Can I still properly align the drawers with a slightly uneven dresser, or does the dresser need to be perfectly level?

Also: Are PTFE sprays from drugstores or hardware stores good enough, or is it better to buy them from a specialist retailer? Quality seems to be important.

bege64 schrieb:
Could I still properly align the drawers on a slightly uneven dresser, or does the dresser absolutely need to stand perfectly level?

A level and, above all, stable base is important to keep load distribution in the dresser even.

A slightly uneven floor can cause the drawers to warp and stick. This significantly affects their smooth operation. Simply adjusting the drawers can only help to some extent. Ideally, the dresser should be leveled using small shims or furniture pads.

bege64 schrieb:
Are PTFE sprays from the drugstore or hardware store good enough, or is it better to buy them from a specialist retailer?

In hardware stores, you can usually find suitable products. Specialist retailer products are often better, but the cost difference usually does not justify the benefit for this application. It is important that the spray contains no oil, but is pure PTFE or a dry lubricant film.

I had the same issue with my Malm chest of drawers. After cleaning and lubricating, it really improved, but the chest was standing on a slightly uneven floor. Once I placed small rubber pads under the legs to stabilize it, the drawers slid almost like they did on the first day.

I can confirm that such small adjustments often have a big impact.