ᐅ IKEA Malm drawer slides squeaking – what can be done?

Hello everyone,

I have owned an IKEA Malm dresser set for some time now, and I have recently noticed an annoying issue: the drawer slides squeak quite loudly when opening or closing the drawers. This is not only unpleasant but also seems like it could damage the mechanism over time.

I have already tried cleaning the slides a bit, but unfortunately, that did not help. Does anyone have experience with this problem? Are there specific lubricants or tricks that can be applied without damaging the drawer slides?

I would appreciate any detailed advice – including explanations of the factors that typically contribute to this issue.

Best regards,
Dijapin

Malm drawers usually squeak due to missing or old lubrication on the runners. My recommendation:

1. Pull out the drawers and clean the mechanism, removing dust and fibers.
2. Use a suitable lubricant, such as silicone spray or a special dry lubricant for metal runners.
3. Avoid WD-40 or similar products, as they attract dirt.

Important: Apply lubricant sparingly and move the drawers back and forth several times to distribute it. If this doesn’t help, the runners may be damaged or bent, which could require replacement.

I would like to add a brief step-by-step guide for those who are not familiar with the process:

1. Remove the drawer completely.
2. Inspect the metal rails for dirt, rust, or visible damage.
3. Clean them with a lint-free cloth, possibly using a bit of alcohol to remove old lubricant residue.
4. Then apply a suitable lubricant. I recommend silicone spray because it neither hardens nor clogs the rail.
5. After applying, reinsert the drawer and open and close it several times to allow the lubricant to spread evenly.

Note: Some Malm models have plastic guides. In those cases, it is essential to use a lubricant suitable for plastic, or the plastic may get damaged.

Joshbe schrieb:
Malm drawers usually squeak due to missing or old lubrication on the slides.

This statement is correct, but I would like to add some details that are often overlooked:

1. Drawer slide material: The Malm chest of drawers typically uses a combination of metal and plastic components, where small plastic sliders or rollers glide over metal rails. Manufacturers use special plastic blends designed to operate smoothly without lubrication.

2. Check the mechanism: Squeaking is not only caused by lack of lubricant but also by increased friction due to dirt buildup or slightly bent parts. Fibers, dust, or even trapped paper pieces often accumulate in the slides.

3. Choice of lubricant:
- Liquid oils or grease can have negative effects because they attract dirt and can become sticky over time.
- Silicone spray is usually the best option since it is safe for plastic parts and does not harden.
- Dry lubricants based on PTFE are another good alternative.

4. Application:
- Remove the drawer completely,
- Thoroughly clean the rails and plastic rollers,
- Then carefully apply lubricant exactly to all moving contact points.

Therefore, an accurate diagnosis also depends on the specific design of the drawer slides. Is it possible to provide the exact model name of the drawer slides?

Thank you for the quick and thoughtful feedback!

Regarding your questions, Filippo: The Malm chest of drawers is from the newer generation, so it has the simpler but sturdy metal runners, yes, with plastic rollers. The rails are not visibly bent, but there was quite a bit of dust in some spots.

I have already cleaned it with a damp cloth, but that doesn’t seem to be very effective, as the rollers themselves are hard to reach. I haven’t used silicone spray yet—only some old oil, which actually didn’t improve anything and may have made it worse.

My goal is really to make the drawers quiet and easy to slide, without damaging the mechanism or risking an expensive replacement parts order.

One more question: How often should this kind of maintenance be repeated? Should I expect to have to do it every few months?

dijapin schrieb:
I already cleaned with a damp cloth, but that doesn’t really help because the rollers themselves are difficult to reach.

Sometimes it helps to completely remove the drawer to access the rails better. This is definitely the most effective way to thoroughly clean the plastic rollers and the track.

dijapin schrieb:
How often does this kind of maintenance need to be repeated?

As a routine, I would recommend cleaning and lubricating once a year, or every 6 months for heavy use. However, it depends on how quickly dust and dirt accumulate in your environment.

Regular maintenance significantly extends the lifespan of the sliding systems.