Squeaky Drawer Remedy

Drawer Glides

• Drawer glides may squeak if they're slightly out of line. Remove the drawer and then reinsert it, making sure the glides line up properly. If the squeak is still there, you have a couple of options. If the drawer slides are made of plastic, rub some wax along the parts to lubricate them. Occasionally with opening and closing, the surface becomes rough and results in squeaking. For metal glides, remove the entire drawer and spray lubricant on the entire surface of the glides, both on the cabinet and the drawer.

Rubbing Sides

• Often a drawer squeaks when its sides or bottom rub against the cabinet or frame. This happens as the wood expands and contracts with changes in the humidity levels in your home or when the drawer is slightly off center. When you remove the drawer, you'll see telltale marks that indicate where it's been rubbing. Sprinkle some baby or talcum powder on the drawer and the frame, and rub it in to prevent making a mess. When you replace the drawer, make sure the glides are lined up and the drawer slides in properly. This should stop this type of drawer squeak. Another option is to sand the surface of the drawer bottom and sides so that they don't contact the cabinet or frame. If the marks show that the drawer is rubbing on the rails, rub a bar of soap over them and the squeaking will stop.

Loose Joints

• A loose or cracked joint on the drawer itself can sometimes lead to squeaking when the drawer is opened or closed as the pieces that form the joint rub together. If the joints where the drawer sides and bottom meet feel loose when the drawer is removed, apply some wood glue and clamp the joints until the glue dries.

Replacement

• Occasionally drawers or their parts become old and worn out. Drawer glides that are warped or rusted should be replaced if lubrication does not silence the squeak. Cracked drawer bottoms or sides may not be repairable and may also need replacement.