ᐅ Malm drawers do not close properly. What could be the cause?

Created on: 18 Feb 2020 08:23
L
Lotejan
Hello everyone, I noticed that the drawers of my IKEA Malm dressers don’t close properly. They either stay slightly open at the front or close with some resistance. The dressers are neither damaged nor warped, and the drawers don’t run off track. I suspect it might be related to the mechanism or the installation, but I’m not sure. Does anyone have any idea why Malm drawers might not close correctly? Are there any adjustments or common issues with this type of furniture that can be fixed by oneself? Looking forward to any tips or advice!
L
Lotejan
19 Feb 2020 09:12
Thank you very much for the responses so far; they are already very helpful!

I have a Malm dresser with three drawers. The drawer slides are made of plastic and are relatively new (no older than 2 years). All drawers have the problem, although not all to the same extent. The weight is normal, with no overloading.

Today, I will remove the drawers and check the screws on the front panel. I will also take a closer look at the slides to see if they are firmly attached.

One more question for the experts: Is there a way to lubricate the mechanism of plastic slides? If so, which lubricants are recommended to avoid damaging the plastic parts? Thank you!
T
TEBILO
19 Feb 2020 10:55
Lotejan schrieb:
Is there a way to lubricate the mechanism on plastic guides?

Yes, that is definitely possible, but you should choose the right lubricant. For plastic guides, I specifically recommend silicone spray or PTFE-based lubricants. These are water-resistant, dirt-repellent, and do not damage the plastic. Regular oils or greases can soften or cause the materials to stick together.

Instructions:
- Remove the drawer
- Clean the runners (remove dust and dirt)
- Apply lubricant sparingly to the moving parts
- Carefully reinsert the drawer and open and close it several times

This improves smooth operation and prevents jamming. Make sure the spray does not get on visible surfaces to avoid unpleasant streaks later.

Feel free to let me know how it goes and if further adjustments are needed.
C
COLEBAR
20 Feb 2020 08:17
I would like to add: Check that the guide tabs properly click into place when inserting the drawer. If they do not fit exactly, the drawers often do not close properly. Sometimes the installation is slightly crooked, which you only notice when snapping the tabs in.

Additionally: If the chest of drawers is not perfectly level, it can also affect how it closes. So make sure the furniture is standing straight.