ᐅ IKEA MALM chest of drawers squeaks when closing – how to fix it?

Created on: 24 Jun 2018 10:21
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Reose35
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Reose35
24 Jun 2018 10:21
Hello everyone,

I have an IKEA Malm chest of drawers that has recently started making a loud creaking noise every time I open or close the drawers. The sound seems to come from the drawer slides, possibly also from the wooden surfaces, but I’m not entirely sure. Since I don’t want to live with squeaky furniture in the long run and the creaking is quite annoying, I wanted to ask if anyone has experience with this problem and how to best fix the creaking. What maintenance products or methods do you recommend to get the mechanism running smoothly and quietly again? I would appreciate any tips, including explanations of possible causes! Thanks in advance.
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Danabla
24 Jun 2018 10:45
Hello Reose35,

The squeaking in IKEA MALM dressers often results from insufficient lubrication of the drawer slides and runners. These slides usually consist of metal parts with plastic glides or rollers. Dust and lack of lubricant can cause friction noises.

I recommend:
1. Fully extend the drawers to access the slides.
2. Remove dust and dirt with a cloth.
3. Use a silicone-based lubricant, as it does not attract dust.

I would avoid other oils (such as machine oil) because they attract dust and can worsen the problem over time.

If the squeaking comes from wooden parts, check whether the drawers rub against the sides or if the front is loose. In that case, a small amount of wood glue or precise adjustment can help.
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marcosku52
24 Jun 2018 10:52
Hey, I had the same issue with my MALM dresser – it’s really annoying when it squeaks every time you pull out a drawer 😅

The basic rule is: brush out the dust first, then apply silicone spray, and it won’t squeak as much anymore. Don’t worry, it’s super easy to use! Just apply a very thin layer and wipe over once with a tissue to avoid any oily residue.

Good luck, it’ll run smoothly again 🙂
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NoValentin
24 Jun 2018 11:07
Clean the tracks thoroughly; silicone spray – it always works for me.
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Colby42
24 Jun 2018 12:03
Hammer, thanks for the tips! 🙂

At first, I was panicking and considering taking the dresser completely apart, but just using the silicone spray was the perfect solution!

You guys rock! Keep it up! :-)
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botibo
24 Jun 2018 12:26
A small tip from me: If you use silicone spray, it’s best to do it outside or in a well-ventilated room. The smell isn’t overwhelming, but it’s better than doing it inside your home 😉

And yes, as mentioned, clean thoroughly beforehand, otherwise the spray will just run off without doing any good.