ᐅ My KALLAX shelf squeaks after attaching the glide pads – is this a common issue?

Hello everyone,

I recently assembled my IKEA KALLAX shelf and attached the included felt pads to the feet to protect the floor. However, I have noticed that the shelf starts to squeak as soon as I move it slightly. The noise clearly comes from the connection between the wood and the pads.

Does anyone have experience with this issue? Is this a common problem in the furniture world or rather an isolated case? Are there any tips on how to avoid or eliminate the squeaking? Perhaps a different type of pad, lubricant, or alternative installation method?

Of course, I don’t want to damage the shelf, but the squeaking is quite annoying, especially on the laminate floor.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Hello leventekau,

Your issue with squeaking from the KALLAX gliders is actually quite common. The noise often comes from friction between the wood and the felt gliders, especially on light laminate flooring or smooth surfaces.

Here is a brief overview of what you can try:

1. Check the installation: Make sure the gliders are firmly in place and not pressed on too tightly or too loosely.
2. Use alternatives: Plastic gliders or special bearing furniture casters often produce less noise.
3. Lubrication: A small drop of silicone oil or Teflon spray on the contact surface can help reduce squeaking.
4. Place a thin protective film or foam rubber pad under the gliders as a buffer.

Be careful not to apply oily products directly onto the felt gliders, as this will reduce their floor protection.

In summary: This squeaking is a well-known issue. It’s worth trying different solutions to find the best combination for your situation.

If you like, I can provide more detailed tips on installation and maintenance!

Squeaking from felt pads is a common issue. I would recommend lightly dusting the pads with talcum powder, which quickly reduces friction.

If the glides fit too tightly, they can slightly roughen the wood and then squeak. Loosen them or use different glides.

onMarcos schrieb:
Make sure not to apply oily products directly on the felt pads themselves

Thanks for the tip! I had actually considered using some WD-40, but I’ll skip that now.

I find the advice about silicone oil and PTFE (Teflon) spray interesting, especially if applied only to the contact surface – do you have any recommendations for products that work well? Also, can these substances be used on furniture without causing stains or unpleasant residues afterward?

Additionally, I have the impression that the way I installed the gliders might be creating some pressure. The shelf is placed entirely on laminate flooring and isn’t completely level. Would it make sense to slightly adjust the position of the gliders or maybe use small shims underneath to reduce the pressure?

Regarding lubrication of glides:

I generally recommend silicone spray, as it is colorless and odorless, leaves no greasy marks, and is relatively safe for furniture surfaces. Alternatively, there are special glide lubricants available in hardware stores.

You should apply the lubricant only to the contact surfaces—the underside of the glides or the part that touches the floor—not directly onto the felt pads.

As for assembly: An uneven floor can increase pressure on individual glides, which may cause squeaking. In such cases, a small adjustment using felt or rubber pads can help distribute the pressure more evenly.

Another option is to replace the glides with softer materials, such as foam rubber. This helps dampen noise and spreads the pressure better.

The KALLAX is quite stable, so a slight play at the feet won’t harm, as long as the shelf stands firmly.

If you want to remove the glides later, I recommend carefully taking them off and, if necessary, lightly sanding the undersides of the feet to smooth any rough spots.