How to Keep Wood Drawers From Creaking

Wooden drawers, and the runners underneath them, expand and contract slightly in response to changes in humidity and temperature. Over time, these changes can roughen the runners, causing the drawers to creak or stick when you open them. You may notice that drawers creak more during humid weather than during dry seasons. Fortunately, fixing creaking drawers requires only a few simple materials and a few minutes of your time, and the results are usually instantaneous.

Hammer
Fine sandpaper
Paraffin wax, beeswax or liquid beeswax
Nylon tape
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Pull the drawers out gently, and place them with the runners up on a table. Inspect the drawers for any sign of damage, such as loose or broken pieces. Hammer the sides gently into place if they are loose, and glue any broken pieces with wood glue.
- 2
  Inspect the runners. If they seem rough, sand them lightly with fine sandpaper.
- 3
  Apply a thin coat of paraffin wax, beeswax or liquid beeswax to the runners. These products lubricate the runners so the drawers will open smoothly, with no creaking or sticking.
- 4
  Cut a piece of self-adhesive nylon tape to fit the length of the runners, for a more permanent solution. Pull the adhesive off the back of the tape, and place the nylon tape over the runner. Press the tape down firmly to secure it. Cut excess tape off the sides of the runners with a utility knife.
- 5
  Insert the drawers back into the furniture, and slide them in and out a few times. They should slide smoothly, with no creaking or sticking. If not, repeat the processes.

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