ᐅ What to do if Malm furniture starts squeaking after long-term use?

Hello everyone,

I have been using IKEA Malm furniture for several years now, mainly the dressers and nightstands. Lately, I’ve noticed that they have started to make a squeaking noise, especially when opening or closing the drawers quickly. The sound seems to come from the drawer slides – a light, continuous squeak or chirping.

Since I have some basic knowledge of woodworking and furniture, I can rule out loose screws as the cause. I rather suspect dirty or dried-out runners or rollers. I am interested in how to best and permanently fix this issue without disassembling the furniture or ordering special replacement parts. Are there any products or techniques that work particularly well for Malm furniture?

I would appreciate detailed tips that are also easy to follow for beginners. Thanks in advance!

Hello Atalay,

First of all, thank you for the precise question. Such beeping or squeaking noises in Malm furniture are often caused by dry or dirty metal runners.

Here is a brief guide on how to proceed:

1. Identify which specific drawer is making the noise. This can often be recognized when opening it.

2. Carefully pull the drawer out completely and inspect the metal runners. Check for dirt such as dust, small crumbs, or sticky residues.

3. Clean the runners thoroughly with a dry cloth, especially the tracks.

4. More importantly: for Malm drawers, a special lubricant is recommended. Silicone spray is ideal here, as it does not stick and does not attract dust.

5. Apply the spray sparingly to the metal or plastic rollers or rails. Use only a small amount to avoid droplet formation.

6. Reinsert the drawer and open and close it several times. This helps distribute the lubricant evenly.

Important: Avoid using oil or grease, as these attract dust and dirt, causing more problems in the long term.

If you still notice noises after treatment, please also check if the drawer is seated properly and not warped. Sometimes tightening the screws on the runners slightly, if they have loosened, can also help.

Summary: clean, use a silicone-based lubricant, distribute well. This usually eliminates the noises permanently.

If you have more detailed information about the runners used, I can also provide more specific advice.

maflo schrieb:
Silicone spray is ideal here because it doesn’t stick and doesn’t attract dust.

I fully agree with this and would like to add some additional technical details. Malm furniture drawers typically use simple but delicate metal or plastic runners, which can wear out over time.

The typical squeaking or chirping sound is caused by micro-movements between metal and plastic parts when there is insufficient lubrication. Especially with metal rollers and plastic tracks, minimal material abrasion can occur, which under dry conditions contributes to jamming and squeaking.

My step-by-step recommendation:

1. Remove the drawer completely from the furniture and fully expose the runners.

2. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth and, if necessary, a small brush to remove any residue. Make sure to clean the rollers and all tracks thoroughly.

3. After cleaning, apply a dry lubricant. Silicone spray is ideal because it is thin, non-sticky, and long-lasting.

4. Important: After spraying, open and close the drawer at least 20 to 30 times to ensure the lubricant spreads evenly and excess residue doesn’t build up on the material.

5. If squeaking continues despite treatment, check the drawer’s fit. Bent or warped parts cause additional pressure, which contributes to the noise.

6. In extreme cases, replacing certain runner components may be necessary. These are usually relatively inexpensive to purchase for IKEA products.

A small note on the topic: Avoid using WD-40 as a lubricant, as it works only temporarily and causes faster aging of plastic parts.

Atalay schrieb:
Are there any products or techniques that are especially suitable for Malm furniture?

This is exactly the point: silicone spray combined with thorough cleaning is the best solution for Malm. Anything else is either not durable or leads to long-term wear. Hope this helps!

Atalay schrieb:
I would appreciate detailed tips that are easy to follow for a layperson.

In addition to the previous recommendations from maflo and PIN66, I would like to offer some cautionary advice. Especially if you are not technically experienced, please keep the following points in mind:

- Be careful when pulling out the drawers to avoid accidentally damaging the runners.
- Do not use aggressive cleaning agents or solvents, as these can damage the plastic and metal parts.
- After applying silicone spray, ensure good ventilation, as the odor can be quite strong.
- If the furniture is very old and shows clear signs of wear, consider ordering replacement parts from IKEA – these are usually affordable and easy to replace.

maflo schrieb:
Avoid oil or grease, as these attract dust and dirt, causing more problems over time.

This is very important advice. In the long run, only regular maintenance prevents build-up.

I hope that the combination of thorough cleaning and silicone spray will reliably solve your squeaking issue. If not, we can gladly discuss further troubleshooting steps.

Good luck!