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

Created on: 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.

Danabla24 Jun 2018 13:48

botibo schrieb:
If you use silicone spray, it’s best to do so outside or in a well-ventilated area.

That’s a good tip. I also recommend avoiding excessive spraying. Applying a thin, targeted layer is always better, as too much lubricant can cause dust to accumulate.

raelto24 Jun 2018 15:02

Additionally, I would like to point out that it can be useful to check the tracks for mechanical damage. Sometimes the sides bend or the rollers are worn out, which can also cause squeaking. In such cases, lubricants alone are no longer sufficient.

barle24 Jun 2018 15:21

If the drawer sticks or squeaks, always check whether it is properly aligned and not rubbing against the side. This can also cause those noises.

mifra24 Jun 2018 16:18

#10

One more technical tip: The Malm dresser’s drawer slides sometimes have small plastic guides. These can become brittle or dry out, causing friction. Lightly lubricating them with a suitable lubricant can work wonders—preferably silicone-based, as it does not damage plastic.

Reose3524 Jun 2018 18:47

#11

Thanks for the helpful tips so far, especially regarding silicone spray and cleaning. Yesterday, I took a closer look at the tracks, and indeed, the plastic guides on one side looked a bit cracked, which might be the cause.

Is it actually possible to order replacement parts from IKEA? Or is that more difficult since the dresser is already several years old? If not, would using different sliding surfaces be an option, or would I risk damaging everything during installation?

Danabla25 Jun 2018 08:34

#12

Reose35 schrieb:
Is it actually possible to simply order spare parts from IKEA there?

IKEA does offer spare parts for MALM dressers and similar furniture, but usually only through their in-store customer service or by request. Availability depends on the model year.

If spare parts are not available, you can buy comparable plastic glides or small drawer slides at the hardware store and replace them. It is important that the dimensions are exact.

Careful modification of the seating surfaces is possible, but should be done gently to avoid compromising the stability of the mechanism.

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

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