ᐅ Ikea Metod: How can I make drawers operate quietly?

Hello everyone,

I recently installed a kitchen using the IKEA Metod system and am generally very satisfied with the quality and design. However, there is one issue that bothers me: the drawers often make a loud, unpleasant noise when closing. I suspect it might be related to the drawer slides, possibly the runners or the soft-close mechanism.

I am very interested in finding ways to make the drawers as quiet as possible without having to resort to expensive modifications. Are there any proven home remedies, installation tips, or specific products that work well for this? I have done some research, but much of the information is quite general or refers to other systems.

Would you recommend any adjustments to the drawer hardware? Or perhaps lubricants or dampers? What about retrofitting options? I look forward to tips, personal experiences, or explanations of why these noises occur in the first place and how to reduce them effectively.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello poreming43,

First of all, a warm welcome to our forum! Your issue with the noise in the Metod drawers is quite common, as the metal slides can sometimes be a bit stiff. Generally, the noises occur due to friction between the runners and rollers or because of missing or insufficient damping.

Here are some tips that might help you:

- Check the runners: Make sure no foreign objects or dust are blocking the movement.
- Lubrication: Using a silicone-based lubricant on the guides can improve smoothness, while oil should be avoided as it tends to attract dirt.
- Inspect the dampers: Some Metod slides come with integrated dampers, which can lose effectiveness over time. Replacing them can be worthwhile.
- Adjustment: The drawers should be properly aligned to ensure even load distribution on the guides.

A quick update: IKEA now offers improved damping systems as replacement parts, which might be worth considering. If you have any specific questions, I’m happy to help.

dunitan schrieb:

- Lubrication: Using a silicone-based lubricant on the slides can improve movement, while oil should be avoided as it quickly attracts dirt.

This is an important point that I’d like to add to: however, it’s also important to note that some manufacturers exclude lubrication of the rails in their warranty conditions. To be honest, the noise is often a symptom of poor fit or increased friction caused by improper installation.

poreming43 schrieb:

Would you recommend any adjustments to the drawer mechanism? Or possibly lubricants or dampers?

This is exactly where the challenge lies: most Metod drawers come standard with a plastic damper at the end, which simply does not provide optimal noise reduction. I always question whether it might be better to upgrade to smooth soft-close mechanisms of higher quality instead. Yes, that costs more, but it’s worth it for frequent use.

Furthermore, it’s important to consider whether the drawers are fully extended or only partially opened, and how much weight they carry. These factors can significantly affect noise levels and should be included in the assessment.

poreming43 schrieb:

I’m very interested in how to make the drawers in the Metod system as quiet as possible without immediately resorting to expensive modifications.

That’s a really good question, and I think it’s great that you’re thinking about this without wanting to change everything right away.

I had similar issues with our Metod drawers myself, and what ultimately worked best for us was a combination of precise adjustment and gently adding self-adhesive foam or felt strips at the contact points of the drawer fronts. This makes the closing movement noticeably smoother and cushions the noise.

Additionally, I purchased a so-called “drawer damper set” from IKEA. The installation was straightforward, and since then the drawers close almost silently. These systems, as mentioned here already, aren’t exactly cheap, but compared to replacing the entire drawer slide, they’re worth it.

If you like, I can describe step-by-step how we did it. You just need a bit of patience and to proceed carefully. I know unexpected noises can be quite frustrating in general, but with a little fine-tuning, it gets much better.