ᐅ What to do if your IKEA Hemnes doors are rubbing or sticking?

Hello everyone, I have an issue with my new IKEA Hemnes cabinet where the doors rub against the edges of the cabinet frame. The doors do close, but when opening or closing, there is a noticeable scratching noise that probably won’t be good for the material in the long run. My cabinet is placed flush against the wall, the doors are installed correctly according to the instructions, but I suspect that the wood or the fittings might be slightly warped or that the adjustment options were not fully utilized. What practical steps can I take to fix this rubbing without damaging the doors or the cabinet? Has anyone had experience with the Hemnes model and can offer advice on properly adjusting the doors or whether it’s advisable to use sandpaper for fine-tuning? I look forward to helpful answers, thank you!

Hello Joana, often the rubbing is just caused by the wrong hinges. First, check if the hinges are properly tightened. Then you can use the adjustment screwdriver to slightly fine-tune the doors – usually, there are three screws on the hinges for height, depth, and lateral adjustment.

If I were you, I would first check whether the cabinet is level, meaning truly straight and stable. Unevenness on the floor or the cabinet body often causes the door to rub. If everything is properly positioned, you can carefully sand down the problem areas slightly on the bottom edge of the door or the cabinet edge using fine sandpaper.

Hello Joana,

I’m happy to provide a brief guide to solving issues with rubbing Hemnes doors:

1. Check the cabinet alignment: Make sure the cabinet is perfectly vertical. Uneven contact with the floor can cause stress.

2. Inspect the hinges: IKEA uses cabinet hinges with three adjustment screws on Hemnes – vertical, horizontal (sideways), and depth. Adjust these step by step to create some clearance.

3. Check the door stop: Sometimes the door rubs because it sits too low. Raising it using the vertical adjustment screw can help.

4. Inspect edges: The surfaces or edges of the doors may be slightly rough. Use fine sandpaper (grit 240-320) and carefully treat only the specific spots.

5. Final check: After each adjustment, open and close the door several times to quickly find the ideal position.

A common mistake is sanding the wood too quickly without properly adjusting the hinges first. This avoids damage and improves longevity.

If rubbing occurs only when you open the door very wide, a small doorstop often helps.

Hope this guide is helpful!

I know the problem—those small imperfections can be really annoying, especially with new furniture. In my case, the Hemnes doors were rubbing at first, which was quite frustrating, until I finally adjusted the cabinet frame by a few millimeters. Sometimes it’s almost like a puzzle; if everything isn’t perfectly aligned, the doors can press against each other and start to rub.

Keep at it, because often a small adjustment is all it takes to make everything glide smoothly and avoid scratches.

Hello Joana, in addition to the previous tips, I would like to point out that with the older Hemnes models, the doors can warp slightly due to the wood itself, especially with changes in humidity. This can cause the shape and fit to change after a short time.

My advice: Check the hinges regularly, especially if the doors suddenly start to rub or stick. You can make small adjustments with a screwdriver. Simple readjustments are often the best solution.

Be careful when sanding – proceed in small steps and test frequently. If you feel uncertain, you can also consult a wood care specialist.