Freeing up a sticky drawer
Difficulty: Easy · Time: approx. 15 minutes
A sticking drawer annoys you every day but is usually quick to fix. On wooden furniture the running surfaces wear or the wood swells; on modern furniture the metal slides are gummed up or dirty.
Which remedy helps depends on the design: wood likes dry lubricants like wax or soap, metal slides need a little oil or grease. Either way you'll be done in a quarter of an hour.
What you'll need
- Candle, wax or dry lubricant (for wooden runners)
- Machine/sewing-machine oil or a little grease (for metal slides)
- Cloth or kitchen paper
- Screwdriver
- Optional: fine sandpaper
Step by step
- 1
Take the drawer out
Empty the drawer and pull it right out. Full-extension slides usually have small levers or catches on the rails that you press to release them.
- 2
Clean the running surfaces
Wipe the slides, rollers and wooden runners clean with a dry cloth. Old, gummed-up grease and dust are often half the cause.
- 3
Lubricate correctly
Wooden runners: rub with a candle, wax or soap (dry, doesn't attract dust). Metal slides and rollers: apply a little oil or grease to the running surfaces sparingly.
- 4
Check the slide and screws
See whether a roller is jammed, a rail is bent or screws are loose. Retighten loose screws – often the drawer is just sitting crooked.
- 5
Refit and test
Slide the drawer back in and try it a few times. If it still doesn't run smoothly, add more lubricant or adjust the alignment slightly.
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Upload a photo →Frequently asked questions
- What's best to lubricate with – is cooking oil okay?
- Not cooking oil: it gums up and attracts dust. Use candle wax or soap for wood, and machine oil or a suitable grease for metal.
- The drawer tips down when pulled out – is that normal?
- A slight tip at the end stop is normal with simple runners. If it bothers you, full-extension slides that guide the drawer along its whole length help.
- It only sticks in summer – why?
- Then the wood swells in high humidity. Use a little less wax, perhaps ease the running surface minimally with fine sandpaper, and keep an eye on the room humidity.