ᐅ IKEA MALM furniture only squeaks when pressure is applied – how to fix it?

Hello everyone,

A few months ago, I bought and assembled an IKEA Malm piece of furniture (a dresser). Recently, I noticed that it regularly squeaks, but only when I apply pressure to certain spots – for example, when opening or closing the drawers, and sometimes when leaning on it slightly. The squeaking is intermittent and does not happen constantly, but rather as a reaction to mechanical stress.

I suspect that either the wooden joints or the drawer slides are causing it. I’m reluctant to just oil or grease it since I’m not sure if that would be the right solution or might even make the problem worse.

My question to anyone who has had similar experiences with MALM furniture or any tips on maintenance and repair specifically for pressure-induced squeaking: How would you approach this problem effectively? Are there proven methods to identify the cause and fix the squeaking permanently? I look forward to your ideas and suggestions!

doganmeo schrieb:
The squeaking is sporadic and doesn’t happen constantly, but rather as a reaction to mechanical stress.

I’m familiar with that— it usually only starts when pressure is applied, which can be really annoying. Most of the time, tightening the connections again helps, especially with MALM furniture where some screws can sometimes be a bit loose.

I once had a squeaky bed frame that stopped after I retightened the screws. If the squeaking comes from wooden joints, applying some wax or paraffin to the furniture joints might also help.

Are you sure the squeaking isn’t coming from the drawer slides? They can squeak easily if they’re dry or not running smoothly. A bit of silicone spray there can sometimes work wonders.

Don’t worry, this kind of problem is easy to fix, and you’ll find the right solution soon. 🙂

doganmeo schrieb:
I suspect that either the wooden joints or the drawer slides are causing the issue.

This suspicion is reasonable. For the specific squeaking noise when pressure is applied, I recommend a systematic approach:

1. Check screws and joints: Loose fastenings can cause friction noises.
2. Inspect surface contact: Often wood or particleboard rubbing against wood creates sounds.
3. Examine drawer slides: Metal slides sometimes require maintenance.

For treatment:
- A thin layer of furniture wax or paraffin can help reduce friction on wooden joints.
- For metal slides, silicone spray is recommended as it is residue-free and better suited than oil or grease for these parts.

I advise against oil-based lubricants, as they attract dust and can cause dirt buildup in furniture.

If pressure triggers the squeak, there might also be slight deformation. Check the furniture on a flat floor and stabilize it if necessary with shims.

Tighten all screws.

Treat drawer slides with silicone spray.

Rub wooden joints with furniture wax.

lajudo schrieb:
Tighten all screws again.

I completely agree. Especially under pressure in certain spots, some joints might have loosened slightly, which could explain the squeaking.

usbla schrieb:
I advise against oil-based lubricants, as they tend to attract dust and can cause dirt buildup around furniture.

That’s a great point, which I hadn’t fully considered before. Silicone spray sounds like a good option—I’ll try that on my furniture as well.

If I may add something: sometimes lightly sanding the problematic areas when a rough surface has developed can help. Then re-wax or oil to restore smooth movement.

By the way, I really like how everyone is clearly organizing the problem and offering specific tips. It makes learning and helping fun! :-)