Hello everyone,
I have an IKEA Malm dresser at home that unfortunately squeaks quite loudly when I open or close one of the drawers. The noise seems to come from the area of the drawer slides or guides, but I’m not sure if there could be other causes as well.
My question is, what options are available to permanently eliminate the squeaking? Are there any proven lubricants, adjustment screws, or components I should check? I would prefer not to take the entire dresser apart, but I am looking for practical and as sustainable as possible solutions to reduce or stop the noise.
Has anyone had experience with these issues on the Malm series? I would appreciate tips and recommendations, including technical explanations about why the squeaking occurs in the first place.
Thanks in advance!
I have an IKEA Malm dresser at home that unfortunately squeaks quite loudly when I open or close one of the drawers. The noise seems to come from the area of the drawer slides or guides, but I’m not sure if there could be other causes as well.
My question is, what options are available to permanently eliminate the squeaking? Are there any proven lubricants, adjustment screws, or components I should check? I would prefer not to take the entire dresser apart, but I am looking for practical and as sustainable as possible solutions to reduce or stop the noise.
Has anyone had experience with these issues on the Malm series? I would appreciate tips and recommendations, including technical explanations about why the squeaking occurs in the first place.
Thanks in advance!
ELIORON schrieb:
The noise sounds like it’s coming from the area of the drawer slides or runners.Then simply lubricate the drawer slides lightly, for example with silicone oil or graphite spray. Avoid WD-40, as it attracts dirt.
If the drawer sticks, check and tighten the screws; otherwise, the runner may come off track.
liRaul49 schrieb:
Simply lightly lubricate the drawer slides, for example with silicone oil or graphite sprayI often find this common recommendation a bit too simplistic. Sure, lubrication helps, but squeaking is often not just a lubrication issue—it can be a symptom of poor material quality or inadequate design.
IKEA furniture is affordable and functional, but the metal slides and plastics used are not always designed for durability or quiet operation. Perhaps the best solution is to replace the dresser or at least swap the slide components for higher-quality parts.
Simply lubricating doesn’t address the root cause and might even encourage dirt and wear if too much lubricant is applied.
Hello everyone,
to analyze the squeaking of an IKEA Malm dresser in detail, I recommend taking a closer look at how the drawer slides work. The Malm typically uses ball-bearing metal slides with plastic guides. The squeaking often results from the following factors:
1. Dirt: Dust or small particles between the ball bearings and the slide can cause friction.
2. Wear: Plastic guides can develop cracks or wear over time, leading to noise.
3. Missing or insufficient lubrication: The original lubrication can evaporate or become contaminated, increasing friction.
To fix this, I suggest the following steps:
- First, gently pull out the drawer and check the slides for visible damage.
- Clean the slides with a dry cloth, carefully removing dust or debris.
- Then apply a thin layer of silicone spray (not oil or grease) to the ball bearings and slides, as silicone does not attract dirt as quickly and is water-repellent.
- If noise persists, check the screws to ensure the guide rails or slides are firmly mounted and have no play.
- If plastic parts are damaged, you can try to replace them or contact IKEA directly for spare parts.
I am interested to know whether the squeaking occurs in all drawers or only specific ones? Are there differences in load (e.g., heavier contents)?
Replacing the entire slide is generally possible, but IKEA does not always use standardized dimensions. Therefore, if in doubt, note the measurements of the slide (length, width) beforehand.
Best regards!
to analyze the squeaking of an IKEA Malm dresser in detail, I recommend taking a closer look at how the drawer slides work. The Malm typically uses ball-bearing metal slides with plastic guides. The squeaking often results from the following factors:
1. Dirt: Dust or small particles between the ball bearings and the slide can cause friction.
2. Wear: Plastic guides can develop cracks or wear over time, leading to noise.
3. Missing or insufficient lubrication: The original lubrication can evaporate or become contaminated, increasing friction.
To fix this, I suggest the following steps:
- First, gently pull out the drawer and check the slides for visible damage.
- Clean the slides with a dry cloth, carefully removing dust or debris.
- Then apply a thin layer of silicone spray (not oil or grease) to the ball bearings and slides, as silicone does not attract dirt as quickly and is water-repellent.
- If noise persists, check the screws to ensure the guide rails or slides are firmly mounted and have no play.
- If plastic parts are damaged, you can try to replace them or contact IKEA directly for spare parts.
I am interested to know whether the squeaking occurs in all drawers or only specific ones? Are there differences in load (e.g., heavier contents)?
Replacing the entire slide is generally possible, but IKEA does not always use standardized dimensions. Therefore, if in doubt, note the measurements of the slide (length, width) beforehand.
Best regards!
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