Hello everyone, I have a question that has been on my mind for some time: Why do MALM drawers squeak despite careful and regular maintenance? I have already tried different oils and waxes, and the drawer slides are kept clean, but the squeaking persists—sometimes more, sometimes less noticeable. I’m curious whether this is an issue related to the material, the construction, or perhaps the type of maintenance? Are there mechanical factors that should also be considered? Additionally, it would be interesting to know if there are model-specific differences in MALM that might contribute to the squeaking. Thank you very much for your experiences and advice!
I can share my experience with Malm and similar furniture here: The noise often doesn’t come only from the drawer slides themselves but also from how the drawer is loaded. If the drawer is very full or unevenly loaded, the pressure on the slides and guides can change. This can cause slight shifts that lead to friction and thus squeaking. It is worth checking the load and perhaps trying to distribute the contents more evenly. Additionally, regular inspections of the slides for slight deformations are advisable.
Danial schrieb:
whether the underlying design of the runner with fixed metal contact is actually the problemI do consider this point to be central. The MALM drawers are cost-effective, so higher-quality materials are saved on. The metal-on-metal system is rather durable but noisy. Upgrading the runners—possibly to roller or ball bearing slides—would be the most sustainable solution from a technical perspective. Alternatively, self-adhesive glide pads between the drawer and the guide could help reduce friction.
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