Hello everyone,
lately I’ve been having an issue where some of my IKEA Malm dressers have become quite noisy—the drawers squeak and don’t slide as smoothly anymore. It’s especially noticeable with the larger drawers that the smoothness of operation has decreased. I’m interested in what works best to get the drawers running smoothly and quietly again. Are there any specific maintenance products or simple tricks that work most effectively on the metal or plastic drawer slides? Should the sliding rails be thoroughly cleaned or lubricated? And regarding the materials, what is best in terms of durability and care?
I look forward to your tips and experiences on how to restore smooth operation to the Malm drawers.
lately I’ve been having an issue where some of my IKEA Malm dressers have become quite noisy—the drawers squeak and don’t slide as smoothly anymore. It’s especially noticeable with the larger drawers that the smoothness of operation has decreased. I’m interested in what works best to get the drawers running smoothly and quietly again. Are there any specific maintenance products or simple tricks that work most effectively on the metal or plastic drawer slides? Should the sliding rails be thoroughly cleaned or lubricated? And regarding the materials, what is best in terms of durability and care?
I look forward to your tips and experiences on how to restore smooth operation to the Malm drawers.
Hello Ben66,
your question about smooth-running Malm drawers is very well formulated and quite justified, as the guides and runners can quickly become dirty or worn out, especially in dressers with frequent use.
Basically, I recommend first removing the drawers completely and cleaning the guides thoroughly. Soft cloths or brushes are suitable for removing dust, lint, and any accumulated dirt. Caution: Do not use aggressive cleaning agents on plastic guides, as they could be damaged.
For lubrication: a thin liquid silicone spray is usually ideal. It creates a smooth film, does not attract dust, and lasts longer than, for example, oil. Avoid WD-40 or similar products, as they often contain greases that attract dirt.
If you notice worn parts—for example, bent metal rails or stretched rollers—it’s worth getting replacement parts from IKEA or a hardware store. Adjusting the drawer alignment often also improves smoothness.
In summary: clean, lubricate with silicone spray, and replace parts if necessary. If you like, I can also send you links to recommended products.
Best regards!
your question about smooth-running Malm drawers is very well formulated and quite justified, as the guides and runners can quickly become dirty or worn out, especially in dressers with frequent use.
Basically, I recommend first removing the drawers completely and cleaning the guides thoroughly. Soft cloths or brushes are suitable for removing dust, lint, and any accumulated dirt. Caution: Do not use aggressive cleaning agents on plastic guides, as they could be damaged.
For lubrication: a thin liquid silicone spray is usually ideal. It creates a smooth film, does not attract dust, and lasts longer than, for example, oil. Avoid WD-40 or similar products, as they often contain greases that attract dirt.
If you notice worn parts—for example, bent metal rails or stretched rollers—it’s worth getting replacement parts from IKEA or a hardware store. Adjusting the drawer alignment often also improves smoothness.
In summary: clean, lubricate with silicone spray, and replace parts if necessary. If you like, I can also send you links to recommended products.
Best regards!
To complement the previous advice, here is a more precise procedure:
1. Pull out the drawers and check the slide rails for dirt. Lint, dust, and hair residues are common causes of noise during movement.
2. Clean all foreign particles with a microfiber or cotton cloth. For plastic parts, an alcohol-free cleaner is recommended to remove greasy residues.
3. After cleaning, apply a PTFE-based lubricant if silicone spray is not available. PTFE is durable and does not attract dirt.
4. Apply the lubricant sparingly to the slide rails and rollers. The amount should be carefully controlled to avoid drips or excess grease.
5. If in doubt, inspect the drawer rollers. If they are damaged or warped, replacement is advisable.
This systematic approach ensures long-lasting smooth operation. Deviating from this method risks the lubricant attracting dirt and causing repeated malfunctions.
I fully agree with this. Without cleaning, even the best lubricant will not be effective.
1. Pull out the drawers and check the slide rails for dirt. Lint, dust, and hair residues are common causes of noise during movement.
2. Clean all foreign particles with a microfiber or cotton cloth. For plastic parts, an alcohol-free cleaner is recommended to remove greasy residues.
3. After cleaning, apply a PTFE-based lubricant if silicone spray is not available. PTFE is durable and does not attract dirt.
4. Apply the lubricant sparingly to the slide rails and rollers. The amount should be carefully controlled to avoid drips or excess grease.
5. If in doubt, inspect the drawer rollers. If they are damaged or warped, replacement is advisable.
This systematic approach ensures long-lasting smooth operation. Deviating from this method risks the lubricant attracting dirt and causing repeated malfunctions.
Ramon4 schrieb:
Grundsätzlich empfehle ich zuerst, die Schubladen vollständig zu entnehmen und die Führungen gründlich zu reinigen.
I fully agree with this. Without cleaning, even the best lubricant will not be effective.
I find it interesting how often the standard answers appear in these threads: "Clean it and apply silicone spray." Of course, that makes sense, but honestly – how much can you really rely on these plastic guides?
That’s exactly the point: if the slides are already worn out, lubricating them won’t help properly anymore. Maybe alternative solutions should be considered. For example, reinforced metal tracks that could be installed – I really wonder why IKEA doesn’t invest more in quality here.
Has anyone here ever considered replacement or upgrade parts for Malm drawers? Such an upgrade might be the real way to achieve smoother operation. Just my opinion 😉
Ben66 schrieb:
Should the drawer slides be cleaned completely or lubricated again?
That’s exactly the point: if the slides are already worn out, lubricating them won’t help properly anymore. Maybe alternative solutions should be considered. For example, reinforced metal tracks that could be installed – I really wonder why IKEA doesn’t invest more in quality here.
Has anyone here ever considered replacement or upgrade parts for Malm drawers? Such an upgrade might be the real way to achieve smoother operation. Just my opinion 😉
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