ᐅ The Malm dresser only squeaks under very heavy load – is this normal?

Hello raban9,

here is a brief guide to minimize the squeaking:

1. Check screws: Use a Phillips screwdriver to check all screws and gently tighten them, but do not overtighten.

2. Clean the drawer slides: Fully extend the drawers and remove dust with a dry cloth.

3. Lubricant: Apply a spray of silicone spray or PTFE (Teflon) spray to the sliding surfaces of the drawer slides. Do not use oil, as it attracts dirt.

4. Adjust the load: If you place very heavy items on the chest of drawers, try to put them on the floor or in more sturdy furniture instead.

Summary: Squeaking under heavy load is not ideal, but with this inexpensive material and construction, it is not uncommon. A little maintenance usually helps a lot.

Thanks for the tips. I checked the screws last night and tightened a few slightly; it feels much more stable now.

I also got some silicone spray from the hardware store and carefully applied it to the sliding rails. I expected the drawers to run more smoothly, but the squeaking under heavy load has only reduced slightly.

This makes me suspect that maybe the cabinet parts are bending or rubbing slightly under load. Do you have any advice on this, rotofra or Noahlu?

raban9 schrieb:
That makes me suspect that perhaps the carcass parts slightly bend or rub under load

That is quite possible. The Malm series is known for its pressed wood slightly flexing under heavy load. Often, it helps not to place the dresser directly against the wall and to set it on stable, level surfaces. Small spacers at the corners can help reduce twisting somewhat.

Alternatively, you can attach felt pads under the feet to optimize contact with the floor.

Under very heavy load, the material can also produce noises without this necessarily indicating a defect.

I find the whole discussion about "normal" quite boring. Of course, there will be squeaking when you place heavy objects on them – furniture is not designed to carry steel beams. IKEA was never meant for heavy-duty use!

Maybe raban9 should consider more robust furniture if they plan to carry heavier loads. Or simply avoid using the MALM as a weight bench 😉

Espen schrieb:
Under heavy load, parts can stretch or shift slightly, which causes noise.

There you go, problem solved. But why are we even complaining?

I completely understand the noise issue – it can be really annoying sometimes. 🙂

It’s great that you’re paying close attention to what might be causing it; that shows you really care and aren’t just accepting everything as it is.

Maybe it helps to keep an eye on the load-bearing material and the amount of weight applied, but also remember that you’ve already done a lot by using lubricants and checking the screws. It’s all about the right combination.

And if the noise persists, you might try switching the sofa, the heavy bag, or similar items. Sometimes it’s very small differences that bother us like this.

TISON schrieb:
Perhaps raban9 should consider more durable furniture

That doesn’t quite capture it for me. Of course, every piece of furniture has its limits. But especially with a MALM dresser made from traditional wood composite, a slight creaking under heavy use is quite normal and not necessarily a sign of poor design or inferior materials.

rotofra schrieb:
Cleaning and lubricating the drawer slides is the most important step

Exactly, that’s the key to smooth operation and silence.

@raban9: If you are very sensitive to the creaking, try the suggested tips again carefully.

What you have here is not a defect but a natural characteristic.