ᐅ Malm drawer slides squeaking – which lubricant should I use?

Hello everyone,

I have IKEA Malm dresser drawer slides that have started to squeak quite loudly when I open or close the drawers. This is not only annoying but also indicates insufficient lubrication or possible material wear.

My question is: Which lubricant is best suited to eliminate the squeaking on the Malm drawer slides?

I am particularly interested in whether it is better to use a spray oil, silicone grease, or a specialized lubricant. It is important to me that the lubricant does not damage the mechanism or material and provides long-lasting effect.

I would greatly appreciate practical experience and recommendations, including tips on application and any potential drawbacks of individual lubricants.

Thanks in advance!

donomi schrieb:
Which lubricant is best for eliminating the squeaking in Malm drawer runners?

Use silicone spray, preferably the type designed for plastic parts. It won’t damage anything and quickly stops the noise.

Regarding this question, I would like to add that when working with Malm drawer slides, it is important to first thoroughly clean the rails from dust, dirt, and old lubricants. Otherwise, the sliding function may actually worsen.

I recommend the following steps:

1. Remove coarse dirt with a dry cloth or brush.
2. If present, wipe off remnants of old grease or oil using some alcohol or a suitable solvent (be careful not to use too much to avoid damaging plastic parts).
3. After drying, apply silicone spray evenly – it lubricates well and is safe for rubber.

Alternatively, a thin PTFE-based lubricant works well and usually lasts longer than spray oil.

Important: Do not use WD-40 or standard machine oil, as these often evaporate quickly and can make plastics brittle.

If the squeaking returns after a short time, clean again and apply thin layers. 😊

RAGUGI schrieb:
Use silicone spray, preferably the one designed for plastic parts.

Silicone spray as a universal solution for almost everything – that seems to be the default answer these days. But honestly, is it really the “magic weapon” for drawer runners?

I think people reach for sprays way too quickly, even though a small dab of grease in the right spots often works much better. It reduces friction wear and provides longer-lasting quietness without constant reapplication.

Besides, silicone spray tends to stay only on the surface, so it’s sometimes like a patch that falls off after a few weeks.

Why not rely on proven Teflon or lithium grease instead? They’re not harmful to the material and usually last much longer than you might expect.

In the end, it probably also depends on the application – hobby builders might want to experiment instead of just repeating standard solutions.

donomi schrieb:
I would greatly appreciate practical experiences and recommendations, preferably with advice on application and possible drawbacks of specific lubricants.

From an objective standpoint, studies and user reports show that for IKEA Malm drawer slides made of metal with plastic or polyamide guides, the best lubricants are those that not only effectively eliminate squeaking but also do not damage the materials and provide long-lasting effects.

Some key points:

- Silicone-based sprays are widely used, provide good slipperiness, and are gentle on plastic parts. However, they tend to wear off after a few weeks, requiring regular reapplication.

- PTFE-based lubricating pastes or greases (polytetrafluoroethylene) offer excellent friction reduction and adhesive lubrication without compromising the elasticity of plastic components. They are durable but more difficult to apply and more expensive.

- WD-40 and simple oil-based lubricants are unsuitable because they can damage plastics and/or evaporate quickly, leading to adhesion problems and increased wear over time.

Application tips:

1. Fully extend the drawer and secure the guide rails
2. Clean to remove dust and old residues
3. Apply the lubricant sparingly and evenly
4. Operate the drawer multiple times to distribute the lubricant

Conclusion: For a good balance of effort, effectiveness, and durability, I recommend a PTFE spray or a silicone spray specifically designed for plastic. For long-term solutions, PTFE-based lubricating greases are ideal.

This advice is generally applicable and has proven effective especially for similar metal-plastic sliding furniture fittings.

NOAHSAU schrieb:
Why not just use proven Teflon or lithium grease?

Teflon grease is often too viscous for the narrow tracks of the Malm drawers. It’s difficult to apply the grease evenly on the smooth surfaces; powders or spray lubricants work better for this.