ᐅ Malm nightstand handles are coming loose – how can I tighten them?

Hello everyone, I have repeatedly noticed that the handles on my Malm nightstand tend to loosen over time. This seems to happen from frequently opening and closing the drawers, which I do quite often. I am now specifically looking for a way to tighten these handles permanently, without the screws becoming loose or wobbly again after just a few easy openings. Does anyone have experience with retightening the screws on Malm furniture or can recommend a straightforward method to secure the handles firmly? I would prefer to avoid unnecessary disassembly if possible. Additionally, I’m interested to know if there are any special thread-locking solutions or other tricks that work well for this type of handle.

Hi, simply unscrew the screws, then screw them back in and apply some thread locker (e.g., thread locking fluid). This prevents them from becoming loose and wobbling.

It’s interesting how often people simply accept what IKEA provides without bothering to properly secure the screws. Wouldn't it be better to switch to higher-quality handles right away? The Malm series is designed for mass production, so it’s no surprise that loosening occurs. But yes, if you want to keep the original, thread-locking adhesive or occasional retightening is probably the only solution.

I can fully understand the frustration when handles keep coming loose. I had the same issue with my Malm nightstand, and it really got on my nerves. For me, tightening the screws again combined with wrapping the threads with thin PTFE tape worked well. This adds a bit more friction and helps keep everything secure for longer. Hopefully, this might help here as well. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you find a practical solution!

Hello Vicenzoan, I’ll give you a more detailed answer because I imagine this issue is generally known with IKEA furniture. The handles on the Malm bedside tables are attached from the inside with screws that can loosen over time due to frequent use and slight vibrations. If you want to tighten the handles, you should first completely unscrew the screws and then check whether the threaded rods are still intact (not damaged or frayed). You can then wrap the screws with a very thin strip of Teflon tape, which increases friction. Alternatively, a drop of threadlocker, as suggested by nofomu, also works. However, make sure to use a removable threadlocker so that you can still remove the handles if necessary. If you don’t want to disassemble the bedside table yet, you can gently turn the handle slightly to the side and tighten the screw a bit further, giving you at least some room to tighten it. Although this is not a permanent solution, it works as a short-term trick. Have you tried systematically tightening the screws slightly with a torque wrench? This helps prevent over-tightening.

I can only agree with what Naomige says. Another option that many people overlook is using plastic washers or small spacer washers between the handle and the mounting plate. If the screw has some play, these washers help achieve a tighter fit without damaging the surface. However, it is important that the screws are long enough to compensate for the additional washer. So, if you notice when tightening that the screw suddenly doesn’t grip properly, this would be a simple solution—provided you can easily remove the handle part.