ᐅ Why do screws often come loose in Malm furniture?

Hello everyone,

I’ve recently noticed that screws in Malm furniture tend to loosen relatively quickly. Especially in high-stress areas, such as drawers or connections between different components, the screws can become loose or wobbly after a short period. My question is: why do screws in Malm furniture often come loose? Are there specific aspects of the design or the materials used that contribute to this? Or is it more related to incorrect assembly or usage? I’m curious to hear your opinions and experiences, possibly including solutions or tips on how to prevent the screws from turning.

Jannis6 schrieb:
Why do screws in Malm furniture often come loose? Are there specific features in the construction or materials used that contribute to this? Or is it more due to incorrect assembly or usage?

Hello Jannis,

you formulated your question very well. Generally, Malm furniture is made from particleboard, which is relatively soft. This means that screws, especially when they are repeatedly removed and reinserted, do not hold as well in the pre-drilled holes.

Additionally, the screws are often relatively thin and short, which reduces their strength. Repeated stress, such as opening and closing drawers, can cause the screws to loosen over time.

Another point is that fastening aids such as threadlocker or similar products are often not used. If the screws are simply tightened dry, vibration or regular use can cause them to loosen.

I hope this gives you a useful overview. If you like, I can also provide tips on how to improve this.

Jannis6 schrieb:
Why do screws often come loose in Malm furniture? Are there specific features in the design or materials used that contribute to this? Or is it more due to incorrect assembly or usage?

Hello Jannis,

I’m happy to explain in more detail because this is a very common issue with chipboard or MDF furniture. The Malm series is made entirely from such material, which is cost-effective and visually appealing but has certain physical limitations.

1. Material properties: Chipboard consists of compressed wood fibers bound together, not solid wood. This means screw threads hold less well because the screw holes tend to wear out over time, especially under mechanical stress.

2. Design principle: Many connections in Malm furniture are made using dowels and screws to enable self-assembly. Unfortunately, some of these screws are quite short, limiting screw depth.

3. Assembly: Applying too much or too little force when screwing can damage the thread or prevent the screw from tightening properly. Additionally, screwdrivers or cordless drills often have torque settings that are too high, which can cause stripping.

4. Everyday load: Moving parts, like drawers, create vibrations and dynamic loads. These act continuously on the screws and can cause them to loosen.

One possible solution is to apply wood glue or a special wood filler into the screw hole to improve thread grip. Alternatively, using larger screws or insert nuts can help. Another tip is to use thread-locking fluid to keep the screws secured in place.

In summary, screws loosening frequently is not caused by a single fault but by a combination of material characteristics, design, and assembly factors.

giabau schrieb:
The frequent loosening of the screws is not a single issue but a combination of material properties, design, and assembly factors.

Exactly, in addition, the particleboard panels can expand and contract with moisture. This further loosens the screws.

Eleanor schrieb:
chipboard panels can expand and contract with moisture.

This is a very important point. Especially in living spaces with varying humidity levels, the panels can easily deform, which puts mechanical stress on the screws.

I also always recommend checking the screw tightness after a few weeks. Properly retightening them once can often prevent many issues.

Additionally, it is important not to overtighten the screws, as this can further weaken their grip in the wood material. Using the correct torque is crucial.

A small piece of foam or felt under the screw heads may also help absorb vibrations and prevent loosening.