ᐅ Why do the fittings on MALM furniture come loose?

I want to emphasize the importance of the material again, as it is often overlooked: chipboard, like the kind used in Malm furniture, is not the same as solid wood. The load-bearing capacity of the screw connection depends greatly on the screw depth and the density of the board. Especially for frequently used furniture items such as dressers with drawers, dynamic loads occur that can cause the screws to loosen over time. A commonly underestimated factor is tightening the screws again after the first few weeks of use, because as the furniture settles and slight material movements happen, the forces on the fittings also change. Additionally, inserting small wooden shims or using special screw lock products (e.g., PTFE tape or thread-locking adhesives) can improve the hold. My question for you: How heavily do you use the furniture? Is it subjected to heavy loads or mainly for decorative purposes?

pauPierce schrieb:
How heavily do you use the furniture? Is it subjected to heavy loads or mostly used for decoration?

My MALM dresser is used daily, both the drawers and the surfaces for placing items. The load is moderate to heavy, as heavier objects like books or electronic devices are often on it. I have only tightened the screws once after assembly, but haven’t done so systematically since then.

A methodical approach can help: tighten screws immediately after installation and then retighten them after about 2-3 weeks to compensate for settling movements. For more complex cases, a longer screw with a larger diameter or alternatives such as locking fasteners can be used. Also, make sure that no play occurs in the fitting when tightening the screws, as this can cause them to loosen over time.

I can understand well how frustrating it is when the furniture doesn’t stay stable. I had a similar problem with my MALM drawers at times. What helped me was regularly checking on them and adjusting the load on the furniture a bit. It’s good that you’re looking for solutions here because this issue affects many people. Keep at it, it will get better!

Regarding the issue of loosening fittings in MALM furniture, the following can be added: The stresses acting on the screws cause minimal movement over time in the thread-to-wood composite. These micro-movements lead to a gradual loss of screw preload. The material fatigue of the particleboard is particularly relevant here, especially with thin panel thicknesses and frequent use. A preventive measure would be to use thread-forming screws or special dowels before fully tightening the screws, which prevent the particleboard structure from collapsing. Alternatively, localized reinforcements at points of stress can help, for example by adding solid wood strips or metal brackets. I would also like to know how the drawers are installed: Are they fitted with metal runners or do they slide on wood? This could also affect the stress on the screws.