ᐅ MALM Furniture Handles Are Loose – How Do I Secure Them Properly?

Hello everyone, I have noticed that the drawer handles on my Malm dressers start to become loose over time. These are the standard handles from the MALM range by IKEA, fixed with screws. My specific question is: How can I properly secure these handles so they no longer feel loose or wobbly? Which tools and materials would be ideal for this, and are there any tips to prevent over-tightening the screws? I would appreciate a detailed guide, as I would like to fix this myself without having to reinstall the entire handle or buy new ones.

First, fully unscrew the screws, then clean all threads and screws. Next, align the handles evenly and tighten the screws again, but not too tightly. If the thread in the panel is worn out, a small drop of superglue often helps the screw hold again.

FIKAPU schrieb:
If the thread in the panel is worn out, a small drop of superglue often helps the screw hold again.

This is a useful tip that I usually recommend only as a temporary fix. For a permanent solution with MALM handles, which are typically mounted on particleboard with a relatively soft surface, I suggest the following step-by-step approach:

1. Completely loosen the screws and remove the handle.
2. Carefully check the hole and the screws for damage. Worn or damaged holes can be identified if the screws slip while tightening.
3. Recommendation: Use wood glue instead of superglue, as it is somewhat more flexible and provides more long-term stability.
4. To repair the hole in the particleboard, you can insert a small wooden dowel or toothpick coated with glue and, once dry, screw the screw back in.
5. Alternatively, reinforce the fastening with a suitable plastic anchor.
6. When tightening: Do not overtighten to avoid wearing out the hole again.

Could you briefly say whether your handles loosen despite careful tightening or if the holes are already visibly damaged? Also, the type of screwdriver used (Phillips, Torx) can help to rule out incorrect use.

Palenar schrieb:
To repair the hole in the chipboard material, you can insert a small wooden dowel or toothpick with glue and, after it dries, screw the screw back in.

The method with a wooden dowel (toothpick or small wood piece) is indeed very effective for loose handles on furniture made from chipboard, as commonly seen with MALM. It’s important to gently roughen the area around the hole beforehand so the glue adheres better. It’s best to use a screwdriver with the correct bit (usually a Phillips PH2) to turn the screw without causing damage.

Additionally, I recommend not tightening the screws all the way but working with a slight resistance to avoid overloading the material. Over-tightening can further damage the board and worsen the problem.

One more tip: if the screws no longer hold well, replacement screws with a slightly larger diameter can be the solution—but be careful with the drilled holes to avoid damaging the relatively thin material.

So, with my MALM furniture, I also had the problem of loose handles, and I can tell you, sometimes the solution lies in the small details 🙂

Maumico35 schrieb:
How can I properly fix these furniture handles so they are no longer loose or wobbly?

First, I carefully loosened the screws and cleaned everything – dust and lint in the threads are often the cause. Then I dropped a bit of wood glue (for dowels) into the holes (because particleboard isn’t very sturdy) and inserted toothpicks to fill the space again. After drying, the handles were tight and secure like new.

Oh, and very important: tighten the screws gently, not with full force – otherwise, the material can easily tear out. And if you have a small magnetic screwdriver, it makes the job a lot easier 🙂

Just try it out, a little DIY fun is always good 😉 Good luck!