Hello everyone, I have a question that has been on my mind for some time: Why do Malm screws from IKEA furniture sometimes come loose by themselves? The construction is usually quite simple, but especially with shelves or cabinets that are often moved or loaded, the screws inexplicably loosen, causing the furniture to become unstable. I wonder if this is due to the type of screws, the connection method, the material, incorrect assembly, or perhaps typical stresses these pieces of furniture experience. Are there known causes or proven techniques to prevent this from happening permanently? I would appreciate any explanations or tips!
I would like to add that uneven loading can also be a cause. For example, if a shelf board consistently supports a heavy load on one side, the material can deform locally, the screws experience additional tension, and they may loosen. Additionally, humidity plays a role, as particleboard swells in high moisture and contracts again in dry conditions. This leads to continuous movement and thus loosening.
My advice: For delicate furniture, use small washers to distribute pressure more evenly and check the fittings more regularly.
My advice: For delicate furniture, use small washers to distribute pressure more evenly and check the fittings more regularly.
An important factor is the clamping force of the screw, which can be relatively low in IKEA Malm furniture due to cost and material reasons, as no specialized screws are used.
Another point that not everyone considers: during assembly, all fasteners should be tightened in the correct sequence; otherwise, tightening one screw might loosen another.
So, if the screws repeatedly come loose, it is recommended to first tighten all screws by hand, and then use the appropriate tool to evenly tighten them all.
Another point that not everyone considers: during assembly, all fasteners should be tightened in the correct sequence; otherwise, tightening one screw might loosen another.
So, if the screws repeatedly come loose, it is recommended to first tighten all screws by hand, and then use the appropriate tool to evenly tighten them all.
dunitan schrieb:
Humidity plays a role because chipboard swells when exposed to high moisture and contracts again under dry conditions. Exactly. To add to that: thermal and hygroscopic stresses can cause microscopic cracks in the material, which affect the precision fit of the screw connections. Especially in apartments with highly fluctuating humidity levels, this can lead to screws loosening over time, even if they were installed correctly.
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Alberto5112 Aug 2021 15:49GIPAPO schrieb:
Over-tightening ruins the thread in the wood. Unfortunately, I've experienced that too. You think you're helping the furniture by tightening everything firmly, but in the end, the damage is even worse. In my experience, a good, moderate tightening is enough, followed by regular checks.
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humbert6713 Aug 2021 07:33Thank you for the detailed explanations! I wasn’t aware of the impact humidity has on material behavior. I had also not fully considered the issue of cyclic loading. Especially the advice to tighten screws evenly and in sequence is something I will definitely keep in mind for my next furniture assembly.
One more question: Are there any specific screw locking methods or techniques (such as using wood glue or small washers) that you would recommend, without damaging the furniture or making it unusable for later disassembly?
One more question: Are there any specific screw locking methods or techniques (such as using wood glue or small washers) that you would recommend, without damaging the furniture or making it unusable for later disassembly?
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GUMARTINA13 Aug 2021 09:12Regarding screw locking, I can recommend liquid threadlocker based on experience, for example, a medium-strength threadlocker (medium adhesive strength). It holds the screw securely over time but can be removed if needed without damaging the material.
I would not recommend wood glue for such connections, as it could make the furniture unassemblable. Small washers, on the other hand, often help to better distribute the load.
I would not recommend wood glue for such connections, as it could make the furniture unassemblable. Small washers, on the other hand, often help to better distribute the load.
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