ᐅ Malm drawers are difficult to open – what maintenance is recommended?

Hello everyone, I have a problem with my Malm chest of drawers set—the drawers are becoming increasingly difficult to pull out. Obviously, something isn’t working smoothly anymore, but I don’t want to damage anything. What kind of maintenance or care is recommended to make the drawers glide easily again while protecting the mechanism? I have already considered cleaning the drawer slides, but what tools or products are best suited for this? Are there any specific things I should definitely avoid, such as certain oils or lubricants that could damage the wood or the sliding mechanism? Thanks for your advice!

First, pull all the drawers out completely and clean the runners thoroughly, preferably with a dry cloth. Then use a light silicone spray or a special lubricant for furniture, not oil. This lasts a long time and protects the runners.

For maintaining Malm drawers with sliding rails, I recommend the following step-by-step guide:

1. Completely remove the drawers from the dresser, handling them carefully to avoid bending the sliding rails.
2. Use an absorbent cloth to remove dust, fibers, or small debris from the sliding rails.
3. For stubborn dirt, clean with a mild detergent and some water, then dry thoroughly—avoid moisture.
4. When lubricating, silicone spray is ideal due to its water resistance and residue-free properties. Spray sparingly into the sliding rails; avoid grease or oil, as these can attract dirt.
5. Then, reinstall the drawers and open and close them several times to distribute the lubricant evenly.

Avoid WD-40 or oils on bare wood, as these can damage the surface.

Summary: Clean before lubricating, use silicone spray, and avoid moisture. This should restore smooth operation.

fugolo schrieb:
For lubrication, silicone spray is ideal due to its water repellency and residue-free properties.

That sounds very helpful! Is silicone spray specifically recommended for Malm furniture, or is it more of a general tip for furniture with metal rails? For cleaning, I was considering using isopropyl alcohol to thoroughly remove any residues. Could that cause any damage?

I would like to add that isopropanol is effective for cleaning but should be used with caution. For dressers made of particleboard with a melamine surface, isopropanol can damage the finish if left on too long or used in too high a concentration.

My advice: Use isopropanol sparingly and only on metal drawer slides, not on wood or coated surfaces. Allow it to dry thoroughly afterward.

Silicone spray is also recommended, as it does not become sticky and does not attract dust. According to some users, occasionally applying paraffin wax to the sliding rails can help prevent stiffness.

Tip: Before applying lubricants, be sure to remove any remaining residues to avoid buildup that could worsen the problem.

Wow, there are already some great tips here! 🙂 I had exactly the same issue with my Malm dresser – silicone spray was also the best solution for me. Just spray it carefully inside, open and close the drawers a few times, and they worked like new!

A little bonus tip: it also helped to completely unload the drawers beforehand (take everything out), so you can immediately feel if the mechanism is running more smoothly. Sometimes too much weight is the reason for stiffness. Good luck – you can do it!