ᐅ Ikea Besta – How do I properly clean the metal drawer slides?
Created on: 26 Nov 2017 17:12
L
Lajohn
Hello everyone,
I have an Ikea Besta cabinet with metal drawer slides that I find very practical. However, I’ve noticed that the slides sometimes become a bit stiff or squeaky, and I suspect that a thorough cleaning and maintenance could help.
My specific question is: How do I properly clean the metal drawer slides of the Ikea Besta without damaging the mechanism or the running tracks?
Are there any special cleaning products or procedures you would recommend?
I want to avoid rust formation or wear on the guide rails caused by the wrong products.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
I have an Ikea Besta cabinet with metal drawer slides that I find very practical. However, I’ve noticed that the slides sometimes become a bit stiff or squeaky, and I suspect that a thorough cleaning and maintenance could help.
My specific question is: How do I properly clean the metal drawer slides of the Ikea Besta without damaging the mechanism or the running tracks?
Are there any special cleaning products or procedures you would recommend?
I want to avoid rust formation or wear on the guide rails caused by the wrong products.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Interesting points here, but I would like to question why silicone spray is explicitly recommended instead of a high-quality, thin lubricating grease or special lubricating oils that are commonly used in industry for sliding metals.
This is undoubtedly true, but be careful: not every type of ball bearing used in furniture construction is the same. Some Teflon- or PTFE-based sprays have the disadvantage that after their solvents evaporate, they no longer provide lasting lubrication or may stick due to contaminants. Additionally, some sprays perform less well under load.
I suggest using products with proven compatibility and long-term effectiveness. For example, thin PTFE oils or special furniture lubricants can provide more sustainable results.
Anyone attempting such cleaning should also ensure that the drawers are not only cleaned externally but that the ball bearings themselves still function properly and, if necessary, are checked and maintained separately.
Does anyone here have experience with different products in practice and their long-term effects?
Laukau5 schrieb:
The Ikea Besta metal drawers mostly operate on ball bearings, so it is important that these do not get clogged with thick grease or dirty oil.
This is undoubtedly true, but be careful: not every type of ball bearing used in furniture construction is the same. Some Teflon- or PTFE-based sprays have the disadvantage that after their solvents evaporate, they no longer provide lasting lubrication or may stick due to contaminants. Additionally, some sprays perform less well under load.
I suggest using products with proven compatibility and long-term effectiveness. For example, thin PTFE oils or special furniture lubricants can provide more sustainable results.
Anyone attempting such cleaning should also ensure that the drawers are not only cleaned externally but that the ball bearings themselves still function properly and, if necessary, are checked and maintained separately.
Does anyone here have experience with different products in practice and their long-term effects?