ᐅ Malm drawers are sticking – how can I make them slide smoothly again?
Created on: 7 Feb 2023 08:23
G
GregorreoG
Gregorreo7 Feb 2023 08:23Hello everyone, I noticed that some drawers in my Malm dressers are starting to stick and no longer slide as smoothly as they did initially. I don’t mean they are completely stuck, but the sliding feels rough and requires more effort than before. I suspect it might be due to the wooden sides or the metal slides, but I’m not sure about the best way to fix it. Are there any recommendations on how to make the drawers glide more easily and smoothly again, without having to remove or damage the entire mechanism? Maybe you have tips on lubricants, adjustment techniques, or general best practices? Thanks in advance!
Hello Gregorreo,
First of all, it’s good that you described the problem so precisely. MALM drawers usually have ball-bearing slides, which can stick over time due to dust, wear, or insufficient lubrication.
My suggested procedure is as follows:
1. Remove the drawer – with MALM drawers, this is usually done by slightly lifting and then pulling it out.
2. Visually inspect the slides for dirt such as dust or small crumbs.
3. Clean the slides (preferably with a dry cloth, no water!) and the sliding elements.
4. For lubrication, I recommend a PTFE spray or silicone spray, as these are the most gentle on plastic and metal parts. I personally avoid grease because it attracts dirt.
5. Apply the spray sparingly to the slides and ball bearings, then open and close the drawer several times to distribute the lubricant.
It is important to make sure that no substance gets onto the wood surfaces to avoid staining. If the drawer is not sitting straight, you can carefully tighten or adjust the screws on the sides of the drawer.
Have you noticed whether the slides stick differently or if it’s only certain drawers? That way, you can address the issue more precisely.
First of all, it’s good that you described the problem so precisely. MALM drawers usually have ball-bearing slides, which can stick over time due to dust, wear, or insufficient lubrication.
My suggested procedure is as follows:
1. Remove the drawer – with MALM drawers, this is usually done by slightly lifting and then pulling it out.
2. Visually inspect the slides for dirt such as dust or small crumbs.
3. Clean the slides (preferably with a dry cloth, no water!) and the sliding elements.
4. For lubrication, I recommend a PTFE spray or silicone spray, as these are the most gentle on plastic and metal parts. I personally avoid grease because it attracts dirt.
5. Apply the spray sparingly to the slides and ball bearings, then open and close the drawer several times to distribute the lubricant.
It is important to make sure that no substance gets onto the wood surfaces to avoid staining. If the drawer is not sitting straight, you can carefully tighten or adjust the screws on the sides of the drawer.
Have you noticed whether the slides stick differently or if it’s only certain drawers? That way, you can address the issue more precisely.
Hello Gregorreo,
It is quite normal for the sliding quality to decrease a bit after some time.
You can also check if any screws have loosened, as this can affect the movement. The recommendation from Nakar33 to use PTFE or silicone spray is great, but be sure to use a spray head with a fine nozzle to apply it precisely.
If the issue is more related to the wooden edges, sometimes gently roughening or lightly sanding the edges or contact surfaces with fine sandpaper can help the drawer slide more smoothly.
A small tip from me: test first on a corner or a less visible area to see how the material reacts.
A gentle removal followed by cleaning and lubrication is usually enough, and you can use the drawers like on the first day again :-) If you need more information, feel free to ask!
It is quite normal for the sliding quality to decrease a bit after some time.
You can also check if any screws have loosened, as this can affect the movement. The recommendation from Nakar33 to use PTFE or silicone spray is great, but be sure to use a spray head with a fine nozzle to apply it precisely.
If the issue is more related to the wooden edges, sometimes gently roughening or lightly sanding the edges or contact surfaces with fine sandpaper can help the drawer slide more smoothly.
A small tip from me: test first on a corner or a less visible area to see how the material reacts.
A gentle removal followed by cleaning and lubrication is usually enough, and you can use the drawers like on the first day again :-) If you need more information, feel free to ask!
G
Gregorreo7 Feb 2023 10:43Nakar33 schrieb:
Did you happen to notice if the slides are sticking differently or if it's just individual drawers?That’s a good question. For me, it’s mainly the two bottom drawers that offer more resistance. The top drawers still glide quite smoothly.
Jeanbar schrieb:
If the problem is more with the wooden edges, sometimes gently roughening or lightly sanding the edges or contact surfaces with fine sandpaper can helpDo you mean the side panels of the drawer itself or rather the inside of the cabinet where the drawer runs? So far, I have mainly checked the metal slides and rails.
G
Genevieve7 Feb 2023 11:05I think it is important to distinguish between mechanical binding on the guide systems and resistance caused by wood swelling.
Malm drawers tend to swell, especially in more humid rooms, which means the wooden edges expand and can then rub against each other or against the furniture carcass.
Both can be affected.
An important question for you: Do you have high humidity in the room, or is the furniture placed near a window? If so, wood swelling is very likely. In that case, sanding the edges may help; otherwise, it might be difficult to improve the situation.
If, on the other hand, you suspect a technical defect in the guide rails, then a close inspection of the rail quality and the ball bearings is crucial. Sometimes small bent parts or dirt inclusions are the cause.
Malm drawers tend to swell, especially in more humid rooms, which means the wooden edges expand and can then rub against each other or against the furniture carcass.
Gregorreo schrieb:
Are you referring to the side panels of the drawer itself or rather the inside of the cabinet where the drawer runs?
Both can be affected.
An important question for you: Do you have high humidity in the room, or is the furniture placed near a window? If so, wood swelling is very likely. In that case, sanding the edges may help; otherwise, it might be difficult to improve the situation.
If, on the other hand, you suspect a technical defect in the guide rails, then a close inspection of the rail quality and the ball bearings is crucial. Sometimes small bent parts or dirt inclusions are the cause.
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