ᐅ Malm drawers are difficult to pull out – how can I make this easier?
Created on: 2 May 2020 14:07
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WELF52
Hello everyone,
I have the following issue with my IKEA Malm dressers: the drawers are very difficult to open, which makes daily use quite frustrating. These are not brand-new pieces of furniture, but not really old either – they have been in use for about 3 years. The drawers don’t slide smoothly and seem to stick a bit, especially when loaded.
I’m mainly interested in how to make the drawer operation easier again without having to replace the drawer slides or disassemble the entire piece. Are there any simple maintenance tips or tricks to optimize the existing slides? Maybe the slides are dusty, dried out, or misaligned?
What experiences do you have with Malm drawers that are hard to open?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
I have the following issue with my IKEA Malm dressers: the drawers are very difficult to open, which makes daily use quite frustrating. These are not brand-new pieces of furniture, but not really old either – they have been in use for about 3 years. The drawers don’t slide smoothly and seem to stick a bit, especially when loaded.
I’m mainly interested in how to make the drawer operation easier again without having to replace the drawer slides or disassemble the entire piece. Are there any simple maintenance tips or tricks to optimize the existing slides? Maybe the slides are dusty, dried out, or misaligned?
What experiences do you have with Malm drawers that are hard to open?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
WELF52 schrieb:
Just to be sure: WD-40 is safe to use here, right?From a technical perspective, WD-40 is not a permanent solution for sliding functions; it is mainly used as a cleaning and lubricating agent for temporarily stuck parts. It evaporates very quickly and does not leave lubricating films like those provided by silicone spray.
BOSULE schrieb:
For Malm drawers, which often combine plastic and metal parts, I also recommend silicone spray or PTFE spray, which are specifically designed for sliding surfaces.I can only agree with that. Additionally, I would check the tracks for any damage before lubricating. Slightly bent or embedded metal parts can significantly increase friction, even if they are hardly visible.
If cleaning and lubricating do not help, replacing the drawer slides can also be considered, especially for older furniture, as this often makes sense.
WELF52 schrieb:
WD-40 is safe to use, right?WD-40 is fine for cleaning, but it does not provide long-lasting lubrication. If you want to lubricate again, silicone spray is recommended, as already suggested.
Juan31 schrieb:
If cleaning and lubricating don’t help, replacing the drawer slides could be an option as well.That’s also correct. Usually, the slides on Malm dressers can be replaced without much effort. IKEA offers spare parts, or you can use compatible slides from a hardware store.
If you want, I can send you a brief guide on how to remove the drawer and replace the slides.
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