Good morning everyone,
I have been experiencing an issue for some time where the drawers of my Ikea Hemnes chest of drawers start squeaking when I open or close them. It’s not only annoying but also makes using them difficult, especially since the larger drawers sometimes make quite loud noises.
I have already tried cleaning the drawer slides but couldn’t really identify the cause. I suspect it is due to friction between the drawer and the runners.
What can be done specifically to stop this squeaking? Are there any proven lubricants or tricks that work particularly well for Ikea Hemnes drawers? Or perhaps something to keep in mind during assembly or adjustment to prevent this?
I’m looking forward to your helpful tips and experiences!
I have been experiencing an issue for some time where the drawers of my Ikea Hemnes chest of drawers start squeaking when I open or close them. It’s not only annoying but also makes using them difficult, especially since the larger drawers sometimes make quite loud noises.
I have already tried cleaning the drawer slides but couldn’t really identify the cause. I suspect it is due to friction between the drawer and the runners.
What can be done specifically to stop this squeaking? Are there any proven lubricants or tricks that work particularly well for Ikea Hemnes drawers? Or perhaps something to keep in mind during assembly or adjustment to prevent this?
I’m looking forward to your helpful tips and experiences!
Hello everyone!
Building on the great tips already shared, here’s a little anecdote from my experience: Ever since I sprinkled a bit of baby powder on the sliding surfaces of my Hemnes drawers, the squeaking has completely stopped.
It sounds unusual, but it really works well! The powder acts like a dry lubricant without any grease and does not attract dust.
Of course, apply it carefully—just a small amount per drawer slide, not too much.
I can definitely recommend this if you don’t have silicone spray handy and are willing to try something different.
Best regards!
Building on the great tips already shared, here’s a little anecdote from my experience: Ever since I sprinkled a bit of baby powder on the sliding surfaces of my Hemnes drawers, the squeaking has completely stopped.
It sounds unusual, but it really works well! The powder acts like a dry lubricant without any grease and does not attract dust.
Of course, apply it carefully—just a small amount per drawer slide, not too much.
I can definitely recommend this if you don’t have silicone spray handy and are willing to try something different.
Best regards!
parbau schrieb:
Since I sprinkled a bit of baby powder on the sliding surfaces of my Hemnes drawers, the squeaking has stopped. Wow, that’s a great tip! ☺️ Baby powder as a DIY lubricant – I wouldn’t have thought of that.
I’d just add that you should be careful when applying it to avoid spilling powder onto the floor.
Otherwise, I can also confirm that regular cleaning and re-lubricating really works wonders.
Here’s a little extra tip from me: sometimes it helps to slightly dampen the drawers before applying the lubricant. This can help loosen small dirt particles.
Thanks for sharing!
For clarification for those who want to examine this technically in detail:
In the Ikea Hemnes dresser, the drawer slides are designed as follows:
- The drawer runners are made of wood, with some support parts made of plastic composites.
- Temperature fluctuations and humidity can cause slight dimensional changes in the wood.
- Moisture also changes the friction coefficients at the contact surfaces, which can lead to squeaking.
Recommended procedure:
- Remove all foreign substances (dust, dirt)
- Use a dry lubricant (silicone or graphite powder) to reduce friction
- Check and, if necessary, adjust the fastening elements
Oily lubricants are not recommended, as they attract dust and dirt and can worsen the problem over time.
These measures are based on physical principles and have been proven effective.
In the Ikea Hemnes dresser, the drawer slides are designed as follows:
- The drawer runners are made of wood, with some support parts made of plastic composites.
- Temperature fluctuations and humidity can cause slight dimensional changes in the wood.
- Moisture also changes the friction coefficients at the contact surfaces, which can lead to squeaking.
Recommended procedure:
- Remove all foreign substances (dust, dirt)
- Use a dry lubricant (silicone or graphite powder) to reduce friction
- Check and, if necessary, adjust the fastening elements
Oily lubricants are not recommended, as they attract dust and dirt and can worsen the problem over time.
These measures are based on physical principles and have been proven effective.
redanny62 schrieb:
Are there common spots where the drawer slides tend to squeak the most? For me, it’s usually the top drawer that moves quite stiffly.Yes, the top drawer often moves more stiffly because it is usually used more frequently and the alignment during assembly is not always perfect.
I recommend the following:
- Fully pull out the drawer and check if any wooden parts are rubbing against the sides.
- Check if all plastic glides are still intact.
- Observe the drawer slides: does the drawer move straight or does it stick on one side?
Sometimes lightly sanding the top rail or sanding it again helps to eliminate small uneven spots. It is important not to remove too much material so that the fit does not become too loose.
Another option: Ikea offers replacement slides—sometimes replacing the drawer slides is the cleanest solution.
Best regards!
ONCARTER schrieb:
- Moisture changes the coefficients of friction at the contact surfaces, which can cause squeaking.This is a very important point, thank you for adding it.
I would like to add that it sometimes helps to monitor the ambient temperature and humidity and, during dry heated air in winter, regularly treat the guide rails with silicone oil.
Also, please make sure to fully extend the drawers regularly and check the rails. Especially with Ikea furniture, it often happens that the drawer can be realigned properly, which leads to a significant reduction in noise.
For all measures: handle gently, as too much pressure on the wood surfaces often has a negative effect.
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