
Spray-dry lubricant, silicone tape, paste wax, candle wax, or even a sheet of wax paper can get the job done. If you are experiencing friction caused by wood-on-wood contact between the drawer and the wood drawer slide-a problem that arises often in older furniture and kitchen cabinets-there are a number of different products you can use for lubrication to remedy the problem. Whenever the time comes that you decide to renovate or upgrade, having your drawers in good sliding condition will make it easier to sell the piece of furniture they are in. Regular drawer lubrication can allow you to extend the life of the drawers. It’s a good idea to lubricate your drawers as part of routine maintenance so they continue to operate smoothly.

Lubricating your drawers doesn’t have to be an emergency fix. Open and close it to ensure the lubricant is covering the whole area and working properly. If you are using lubricant in a squeeze bottle, be sure to coat the entirety of the runners, particularly the areas that make contact with the drawer runners. Spray the runner in increments, using short bursts to ensure the entire area is covered. If using a spray lubricant, hold the spray nozzle as close as possible. Make sure the runners are as clean and dry as possible before proceeding.Īpply the lubricant on the runners. Wipe down one or both runners and dry them. Use a damp cloth to clean the area you’re preparing to lubricate. You can empty the drawer to make this step easier, but if you don’t empty it, be careful of its weight when you pull it out. You might have to lift it up slightly at the end to fully detach it. To do so, carefully pull it straight out to slide it off of the runners. Materials needed: lubricant (white lithium grease is the optimal choice) and a damp cloth Lubricating metal and ball-bearing drawer slides Look for obvious obstructions or damage, or check for more subtle causes like wear, swelling, or warping. Pull the drawer completely out of the cabinet and check the slides for any potential issues. If your drawer is sticking and not sliding properly, remove it to determine exactly where the problem is occurring. In the fall and winter, when humidity typically decreases, the swelling of the drawer will subside, but the drawer may wobble if you had reduced the thickness of the swollen parts or the wood experienced distortion. The humidity can cause wood to swell, creating friction and rubbing that make the drawer hard to open.

However, if a drawer is on its slides properly but is not moving smoothly or is stuck, you likely need to lubricate both it and its slides.īecause of high humidity that can affect wood drawers, summer is the most common time for this problem to take place. Sometimes, a drawer can pop out of the grooves it slides in, in which case you just need to get the drawer back on its tracks. Fortunately, drawer slides are usually simple to fix once the problem is identified. There are few things more frustrating than a stuck drawer.
Best drawer rails for music keyboard drawer how to#
Sticky Drawer? How to Lubricate Metal or Wood Drawer Slides
