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    Emily Fazio

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The Easy Fix For Broken IKEA Drawers

February 4, 2011

Editor Update: Since writing this tutorial, IKEA has recalled its KULLEN and MALM chests and dressers, among other products. I returned the set shown here for nearly $300 – and they even came to pick them up because I live several hours from the nearest store. If you believe your IKEA drawer is eligible for a recall, here’s a direct link to the info you need on IKEA.com.

We IKEA-lovers encounter problems like this from time-to-time. An IKEA drawer can be wonderfully designed (and affordable) but its materials just aren’t intended to outlast us. But, with a little regular TLC, we can damn well try.

My biggest issue has always been with IKEA drawers, particularly with the dresser units they sell. Put too much of something (socks), or anything too heavy in them (dense wool sweaters), and over time the bottom board warps under the weight. This shift is just enough to force the bottom of the drawer to slip out of its groove. And if you’re like me, that sag ends up pinching on the clothing in the drawer beneath it, damaging fibers and ruining garments.

How to repair a broken IKEA dresser drawer

How to Fix an IKEA Drawer

The quick fix (that I’ve done many times over the years [decades])? Glue it. Spend $5 and invest in some strong adhesive. Gorilla glue is a polyurethane glue, and it’s great (if you can keep the expansion qualities under control). Basic wood glue works in some cases, but it doesn’t hold well universally when you consider that many IKEA pieces are particleboard or plastic.

I prefer E-6000. I’ve used it all around the house; a quick fix for everything from fabric to damaged shoes, to IKEA drawers. When it comes to repairing IKEA drawers, glue application is a cinch because the affected drawers already have the perfect glue-holding groove in them. It’s a great stocking stuffer, too, hint-hint-nudge-hint.

Apply E-6000 glue to reinforce a broken IKEA dresser drawer (good for wood, fabric, home improvement, decor, basically anything).

Step 1: Bend the drawer panel out of the way just enough to expose the groove.

Step 2: Apply a thick bead of glue to the exposed groove.

Step 3: Once applied, fit the shelf back into the groove, and then add weight (like a mountain of books). The weight will force the connection until the glue dries (12-24 hours).

Books are perfect to stack on the shelf to ensure connectivity between the drawer material and the glue.

I’ve never had to do it twice to the same drawer, despite how many socks I try and cram into that once-broken drawer.

(P.S. This particular IKEA drawer is part of the much-loved set that’s in my master bedroom. I unveiled that room here if you want to peek around. Take off your shoes, I don’t want dirt in my Pebble Rug.)

IKEA Recall Reminder

This dresser is from the MALM collection at IKEA, but many units are discontinued and on recall. Remember that you may be able to return your IKEA dresser to the store for a credit… even if broken… or repaired with glue. I owned two sets; one with 4 drawers, and one with 5 (where the top level is actually two smaller drawers). Based on their age (~10+ years), I received a reimbursement of $275.

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Bedrooms  / Decor  / DIY

Emily
I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle. I've been a freelancer writer for 10+ years and you can find my work on popular home and garden sites, like HGTV.com. Follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note.

98 Comments


ginnie
February 4, 2011 at 11:26 am
Reply

I love Ikea as well. It’s cheap and you can always find something in your style. The downside? It’s cheap. I have a CD/DVD tower that’s more like the leaning tower..

Great idea for the drawer fix. From the photos that almost looks like Koppang–I have that. :) I haven’t had any issues though and it’s even survived a move all in one piece which was great. I think that model is one of the more sturdy drawer sets.



    Emily
    February 4, 2011 at 11:43 am

    This particular dresser is from the MALM collection, and I’ve had to repair 3 drawers (of my 9 total). I’m sure it’s just natural wear and tear, and only made worse by the number of clothing items I try and store in each drawer.

    Bummer about the CD/DVD tower though – but you know what HAS continued to impress me? My EXPEDIT items – they seem to be manufactured to be stronger/hold more than other collections.

    Thanks for commenting, Ginnie!

Cait @ Hernando House
February 5, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Reply

Although I haven’t actually put anything in the drawer of our guest room’s Malm nightstand, I’ll definitely have to keep this in mind for when it most likely sags out.

I used E-6000 to make the Starbucks giftcard paintings that are leaned up in our dining room. They seem to be holding up pretty well.

Also, I agree that the Expedits seem to be sturdier!



john smithy
February 7, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Reply

never surprises me the information i can find on the internet. Had a drawer bottom pop out and was trying to figure out a way to fix it and low and behold, i find this webpage.

Thanks for taking the time to post it!

john



    Emily
    February 7, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Thanks John! Glad you found it helpful!

Mary
February 11, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Reply

Thank you! This is the exact solution I have been looking for!



    Emily
    February 11, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    You’re welcome Mary! Glad you found it useful.

annie
March 21, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Reply

thanks for the tip! i had all but given up on my aneboda dresser but the glue is working great!



    Emily
    March 21, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    Good to hear! It continues to hold up really well for me too – no additional fixing needed :)

    michele
    August 16, 2015 at 10:50 am

    I have a upright three drawer Aneboda dresser and cannot figure how to take the drawers out I have never had a problem and the number for Ikea he did not know either LOL the bottoms need to be glued or something for support so it doesnot come out of the groove

    Rick W.
    November 13, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    To remove the Aneboda drawers, there is one screw inside the drawers on each side that gets removed and connects the drawer to the slider. Once both are out, the drawer will slide straight out the front. Reassembling I likely a pain because you have to get that tiny screw back into a small hole

Arun
August 28, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Reply

Thanks for the useful tip. However had a question. I can’t seem to figure out how to get the drawer out so that I can put the glue and fix it. The sagging is on the far side of the drawer and I just can’t get to it.



    Emily
    August 28, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    The base of the drawer in my case was still glued adequately to both the left and right walls, only disconnected and bowing on the further-most back wall. What kind of dresser are you repairing? On mine, I was able to easily I removed the drawer by pulling it all the way out until it stopped, and then lifting it up to unhook it from the tracking. It’s definitely easiest to work with the drawer once it’s completely removed from the dresser. I hope this helps!

Arun
August 28, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Reply

Thanks for such a prompt response! It is a MALM 6-drawer. After more Internet searching, I finally figured out that there were two screws on the side that was holding the glider on to the drawer which needed to be removed. Now I have to apply your quick fix! Thanks again.



    Emily
    August 28, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Awesome! I didn’t have those screws when I uninstalled mine… I wonder if that means I missed them on the original construction! Thanks for the tip and good luck!

Merrypad's First Blogiversary (Part 2 of 2) | merrypad
December 16, 2011 at 1:36 am
Reply

[…] Most trafficked post: An IKEA drawer fix […]



rian
December 17, 2011 at 5:33 am
Reply

Thank you!!! I bought a super cheap malm ikea dresser on craigslist with this problem and I knew I could fix it. Can’t wait to get started now that I have such detailed instructions. This is exactly what I needed!!



    Emily
    December 17, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Great! Good luck!

Brad
January 22, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Reply

I have the same IKEA Malm dresser, and the drawer sagged in the exact same spot as in your pictures – SO glad I came across your post :-) I have my E-6000 drying right now… thanks so much for this post!



    Emily
    January 22, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    So glad it was helpful! Mine has still been holding up really well; no additional repairs needed to the drawer since I wrote the post!

Jenna
February 15, 2012 at 11:51 am
Reply

My Hemnes drawers are doing the same thing. I swear the newer ones with the yellow-striped interiors are better made than my old gray ones. Anyway, I will try the E-6000 glue. If that doesn’t do it, I’ll add some lathe.



    Emily
    February 15, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Good luck! My e-6000 is still holding up really well. A thin line of gorilla glue would work too, so long as you managed the expansion of it carefully and made sure it was well weighted so nothing warped.

Quintina
February 17, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Reply

Thanks Emily, I purchased my seven and four year old daughters a cheaply made but expensive five drawer chester from Fingerhut because we live in a remote area and we don’t have very many furniture stores and non of them carry the color white which goes well with thier all princess room decor. Because of your advice you saved me from having to purchase a new dresser for them. Thank you so much you are a life saver.



    Emily
    February 17, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    I’m so glad that my post helped you! Thank you for the nice note!

Sonia
April 7, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Reply

I just tried this on two of my drawers and it seems to be holding up great! Thanks!



    Emily
    April 7, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    So glad! It’s held strong for me without additional repair for over a year now!

Bridgette Davis {BDphotography}
April 25, 2012 at 12:05 am
Reply

thanks for your help! we were gifted a busted up malm and you wouldn’t believe the makeover we did once we fixed it, thanks to you! check it out here. thank you emily!! i linked back to you from my blog post http://www.iwantbdphotography.com/archives/2661



    Emily
    April 25, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Thanks Bridgette! Glad it was of help to you!! Yours looks SO COOL with that image on it. Beautiful upgrade!

Awesome Guy
June 15, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Reply

Thanks for the tip! You’re an awesome person for sharing idea to make our lives easier. =)



Deepti
August 24, 2012 at 5:39 am
Reply

I’ve a MALM dresser with the same problem, will be trying your fix soon. Thanks for the post!



Susan
September 24, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Reply

I have the same drawer with the same problem and I have been trying to figure out the best glue to use . I am on my way out to buy to buy some E-6000 . Thank you so much!!!



    Emily
    September 24, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Glad I could help, Susan!

Dwight Okita
October 12, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Reply

I have an IKEA dress. It’s got translucent plastic fronts to the drawers. What I’m trying to figure out is how to RELEASE the drawer from the dresser. I’m not sure the exact brand name. Can anyone help with drawer releasing? Thanks.



    Emily
    October 12, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    My best guess would be to pull it all the way out and then lift upwards gently; it should unhook. If not (and my IKEA bathroom vanity is like this), you’d have to unscrew the track. Good luck!

    michele
    August 16, 2015 at 10:59 am

    Dwight I have one that sounds like what you have and can not figure out how to take the drawers out to glue them look up Aneboda that is what I have even Ikea couldnt figure it out they cannot tell me how to take out the drawer it really is poor on Ikea to have all the issues and not address them

    Simon
    August 17, 2015 at 10:08 am

    Hi Michele,
    It is likely that your drawers are attached to runners by screws that go through the sides of each drawer (2 screws on each side). Empty your drawer, undo the screws in the sides and then the drawer should be able to slide freely forward from the runners and out of the unit..

    Simon

    Ken
    November 10, 2019 at 10:09 pm

    I fully assembled a malm 4 drawer, put in drawers and the top drawer only opens a couple of inches. I can’t pull the top drawer out.

Christine
October 19, 2012 at 10:08 am
Reply

Score! this is going to be my project for the weekend! thank you so much!!!!
E-6000 here i come!



Natasha
November 1, 2012 at 8:00 am
Reply

Great fix for the Malm dresser. I will definitely use it. I have another problem with my Malm that perhaps you or a reader has a fix for: the fronts for the drawers keep coming unscrewed and I keep retightening them, but this doesn’t last for long. Any suggestions on how to solve this pain?

Thanks!



sharon
November 20, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Reply

I have an Ikea office sotrage unit with 4 drawers and the drawer keeps coming off the rails. It does not like the box is separating .
Help



    Emily
    November 20, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Any chance you can disassemble the entire box, glue it with e-6000 or some wood glue (depending on material) and then clamp it to reassemble? Let me know the product and maybe I can do a little more research!

Rae
March 20, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Reply

Do you recommend gluing when you first assemble them? I have 3 Hemnes drawers to fix. I’m wondering if I should do the other 9 drawers as a preventative measure. I really love the look of my IKEA shelves and dressers. I have 2 babies and I know my furniture will go through a beating in the next few years. With their prices, I don’t mind the problems.



    Emily
    March 21, 2013 at 11:59 am

    It would be a GREAT idea to glue for reinforcement when you’re assembling them initially. Since gluing them several years ago, I have had no further issues with the products (and I load in way more socks and shirts than they should really accomodate). Good luck!

Genni
March 24, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Reply

I have the hemnes 3 drawer dresser and the middle drawer is extremely sagged unfortunately. So with it bowed almost permanently what do you suggest?! I’m upset I love this set and it’s barely 6 months old



    Emily
    March 24, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    Yikes! Does the Hemnes drawer bottom fit into tracks the same way that the MALM does? If it seems permanently warped, I’d suggest emptying it, laying the whole drawer upside down, and setting a book or two on the bridging sag to try and let it gradually settle back into a flat position. Don’t force it, I wouldn’t want it to snap, but I bet if it bent one way over time it will bend back. And when it’s bent back, get some glue in those tracks and hopefully it’ll hold well. Good luck!

Haitchpeasauce
March 26, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Reply

Just fixed the drawers of my Malm chest of 4 drawers yesterday with excellent results.

Here’s what I did:

1. Get 4 pieces of 6mm MDF board (or 3mm masonite would work) cut to the INNER DIMENSIONS of the drawer. This will form the shelf reinforcing.
2. Removed the drawer front to remove the sagging shelf.
3. Flip shelf over, so that the laminated side is down and the MDF side is up. The shelf will now be bowing upwards.
4. Mark on the shelf where the lip is – this is to line up the new shelf reinforcing.
5. Apply PVA glue to the 6mm board, covering the whole surface, then align with the drawer shelf.
6. Weigh board down (with books or whatever) so that it flattens the sagging shelf and compresses it against the 6mm board.
7. Wait about 1 hour before removing weights.
8. Reassemble drawer with perfectly flat shelf.

It is recommended to wait 12 hours before loading the drawer again.

Note that this will reduce the depth of the drawer by 6mm. But the drawer should never sag again.

Note that MDF board and water do not mix. The MDF should be sealed if you expect it to come into contact with water. Though I don’t know why anyone would put water in their drawers anyway.



    Emily
    March 26, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Nicely done! Thanks for sharing your tutorial here!

BOBBY DHILLON
April 22, 2013 at 9:32 pm
Reply

EXCELLENT SOLUTION



vero brow
April 30, 2013 at 2:15 am
Reply

E6000 should pay you! I just went out and bought 2 tubes and I don’t have a drawer to fix. I had an ikea dresser that needed to be fixed because of the sagging. I saw your article. Since then ( a month ago) I threw away the dresser but the e6000 stuck in my head and i went out tonight and bought some.
Excited to use it soon.



Susan Belgard
July 13, 2013 at 12:37 am
Reply

DIFFERENT SOLUTION: I opted for a solution similar to placing small metal pieces under bookshelves for support. I bought HM brand corrugated fasteners # 5. They measure 1/2″ x 1 1/8″. Starting from the ends of each drawer where the least sag had occurred, I slid the corrugated fasteners into the slot the drawer bottom had come out of. The drawer bottom rested on the part that stuck out from the slot. Β I positioned the fastener so that the 1 1/8″ side was in the slot, giving maximum area of support. I did have to wiggle my arm around a bit to get started and did drop a few in the beginning!! Β The drawer is now back to its almost too-full capacity.Β 



Sharon Sprague
August 15, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Reply

THANK YOU! So glad I came across this. I was about to repurpose this piece or just get rid of it. But if you say this works, I’m going to give it a go! So grateful for your tip!



    Emily
    August 15, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    Years later, still holding up well! Good luck, Sharon!

Antonia
August 19, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Reply

Thanks for this. I’m glad I found it. I’ve got both sets as well (the 4 drawers and the 5 with the top two smaller) and I’ll try this today. I didn’t like the solution that you need to put a hole in the drawer.
Thanks again! :)



Vivi
October 14, 2013 at 8:33 am
Reply

I have the ikea malm dressing table and would like to know how I can make the drawer come all the way out instead of halfway ?



    Emily
    October 14, 2013 at 11:21 am

    Yikes, I wish I knew the answer to this, Vivi! I don’t see any way to adjust how far the drawers pull on my sets, but hopefully if someone else sees this comment they will have a solution for you! Best of luck, E

    Simon
    February 9, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Hi Vivi,
    I had a problem where a couple of drawers in a 4 drawer dresser would only slide halfway out. Because the others opened all the way, I could tell something was not right.

    For the normal drawers, they would stop with a sudden, hard resistance. The half-opening drawers would stop with a sort of softness, but then would not open further.

    As I knew there was something wrong, I felt safe applying some force to the drawer. I put a hand on the dresser and gripped the drawer and pulled the drawer out against the resistance. I moved it about an inch and then switched to the other side, then returned to the first side and repeated. This way I was able to open it fully.

    After working it this way, it was freed up, but I think I later added some lubricant to the runners. This was a thirty year old dresser.

    Please use caution if trying this. It seems unlikely a table drawer could have anything underneath stopping it, but do look under the table at the underside of the drawer. Also if the drawer does have a layer underneath, like a shelf, it is possible that something fell out of the back of the drawer, behind and then under it. Then as the drawer opened, the object could be trapped between the projecting back of the drawer and the front where the drawer opening it (if there is a lip for the opening). To get at the object, you may have to detach the drawer from its runners.

    Good luck.
    Simon

Joe
October 16, 2013 at 2:31 am
Reply

Me too :) took a chance, googled “IKEA drawer fix” & here you are!
Thank you for posting this (3 MALM dressers & they are all popping)



Susan Belgard
October 16, 2013 at 9:37 am
Reply

Re-posting a different technique No need to take apart the drawer or use glue:DIFFERENT SOLUTION: I opted for a solution similar to placing small metal pieces under bookshelves for support. I bought HM brand corrugated fasteners # 5. They measure 1/2β€³ x 1 1/8β€³. Starting from the ends of each drawer where the least sag had occurred, I lifted the sagging drawer up and slid the corrugated fasteners into the slot the drawer bottom had come out of. The drawer bottom rested on the part that stuck out from the slot. I positioned the fastener so that the 1 1/8β€³ side was in the slot, giving maximum area of support. I did have to wiggle my arm around a bit to get started and did drop a few in the beginning!! The drawer is now back to its almost too-full capacity.



    tracy
    November 4, 2015 at 7:29 am

    Can you post a link to the HM brand corrugated fasteners # 5 . I have no idea what they are but would like to see them. Thank you!

Cass
November 3, 2013 at 1:48 am
Reply

Just a quick question–our malm (6 drawer) only has a single groove at the rear of the drawer. We’ve glued it as we assembled it but the whole thing seems a bit weak since the bottom doesn’t have a groove all the way ’round to fit in. Did yours?

Thanks for the post–still getting a lot of love! :-)



    Emily
    November 3, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Hmmm.. newer model, you think? How does the back of the drawer not have a full groove for the base of each drawer to sit in? Is it the corners that are weakened?

    Simon
    November 25, 2013 at 9:30 am

    Hi Cass,
    Your drawer should be strong. I just looked at the IKEA MALM assembly video and at my Hemnes kitchen display cabinet and there is a grove in the front and the back, but the shelf piece is held under the sides, by the metal wheel bar. That bar folds under the sides and supports the shelf.

    Please check and make sure that the bar holds the shelf in place and the shelf is not lower than the bar and so unsupported at the side.

betty
November 13, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Reply

Thanks. i just purchased the malm dressing table at less than half of the price but the drawer looks exactly as yours did above before you fixed it. Defintely picking up some E6000 glue and giving it a try!



Simon
November 25, 2013 at 9:44 am
Reply

Hi Emily,
Thank you.

I have been having this problem with my IKEA HEMNES kitchen cabinet with drawer.

I tried putting thin card along the gap in the front and back to wedge the shelf in place but although it seemed secure, it did not last. I had a few other ideas, but have decided to glue the shelf in the back where it was coming out.

One problem I found with my drawer was that the back piece was not held firmly to the sides, and it could tilt away from the bottom piece and let it drop. The plastic covers over the original screws were so tight I could not get at them to fix it. So I put in two new screws to hold the back piece in place. I did need to drill a hole for the screw as it started to split the side piece. So if you need to add screws, I recommend making a hole first and watching the wood as you screw the screw into place. If it starts to split, back out the screw and make the hole larger.

However, gluing the shelf may be more than enough to fix the problem. I had thought about taking the unit apart for a move, but I don’t have the packing and it is more likely to be damaged disassembled! The glue will hold the shelf and the front and back together so it is a good approach.

Interestingly, in the IKEA MALM assembly video, they show a new brace being screwed to the front, running under the center of the shelf to support it and being screwed to the back to hold it all together. This is a good sign that they are fixing the issue with newer units. I do not know if IKEA Support would supply it to those of us having the problem, but I am happy with my glued drawer which I fixed yesterday using your idea and Elmer’s wood glue.



MIchelle
February 6, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Reply

Thank heaven for creative problem-solvers like you! I was trying to think of how to fix the bowed drawers in our dressers (we have 3 of the MALM 6-drawer ones!!!), but couldn’t think of anything that easy… I thought of an L-bracket or some cross beams on the bottom, but this solution looks much much simpler (and therefore much more likely to get tackled and finished!). Seemed such a waste to get rid of good storage- no knicks on the outside and everything else is fine. Thanks for saving our drawers and saving us a lot of money. We got our glue at Joanne’s and got the 40% coupon online too. I’ve never heard of this brand of glue, but hopefully it’ll come in use for fixing other stuff around the house. What else have you used E-6000 for?



Jacqueline
March 7, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Reply

thanks!! i am going to do this over the weekend. you just saved me from purchasing new bedroom furniture!!!



SW
March 16, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Reply

I’m trying to furnish a nursery on the cheap and have been reluctant to repurchase any of the Hemnes products because of similar problems with sagging drawer bottoms.

Has anyone tried using the glue during the original installation of the drawers to prevent the problem in the first place???

Thanks.



M. Smythe
September 6, 2014 at 10:03 am
Reply

Too late to glue drawers as bottom of drawer now broken and must be replaced. Also back of same drawer is broker (corner) exposing the plastic screw that attaches back to sides. Pls advs the width of boards used and best material to use?



    Emily
    September 9, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    Hi there, I wish I could advise but I’m not sure of measurements specific to your product. I would recommend a thin piece of plywood from a home improvement store (if you go in with the specs, they could cut it to size right in front of you).

Debbie
September 25, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Reply

Hi Emily,

Thanks for this helpful tip! I am having the same problem with my drawers and was thinking about getting new furniture altogether when I came across your article.

I was wondering, do you only put glue on one edge of the shelf/board or do you glue both the front and the back edge? It seems you only do it to one edge but I was thinking that it may be more secure if you glue to both the front and back? Maybe even sides? What do you think?

Thanks,
Debbie



    Emily
    September 27, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    All sides, as accessible! The more sides that are re-glued, the better the result. Good luck with your fix!

vik
October 20, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Reply

This is saaaa-weeeeet! thanks for your brilliance!



Hanna
November 29, 2014 at 1:18 am
Reply

Thanks! This helped me out in a pinch!



Sam
December 18, 2014 at 5:35 am
Reply

Hello
I need some help on how to patch up my wardrobe
It’s an IKEA pax 268cm two doors
I tried to stand it up after I assemebled it correctly but it was too heavy to do on my own I’m led with holes where the screws fit



Lou
April 19, 2015 at 6:23 am
Reply

Just bought and assembled corner workstation Hennessy. The desk drawer is not opening all the way-just about half. Already have everything set up and wired around and thru desk. Would be nightmare to take everything off. Any ideas how I can fix this from underneath the drawer without having to turn the whole desk upside down the way it was built! Help?



    Emily
    April 20, 2015 at 8:33 am

    Hmm, I’m not familiar with that product but I do know that some of the IKEA drawers only seem to open about 1/2 way or 3/4 of the way. Frustrating, indeed. Without seeing how the hardware is situated in the drawer (assuming its on metal runners) I can’t be of much help.

    Lou
    April 20, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Yes it’s on metal rails.

Erin
May 4, 2015 at 10:16 pm
Reply

My Ikea dresser did the exact same thing, and this is just what I’ve been looking for!! Thanks for posting!



AS
September 20, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Reply

You are the BEST. Thank you for putting this out there and saving me 200 dollars.



Ags
October 11, 2015 at 10:29 am
Reply

Is there a way to fix the part of the drawers that make them slide in-out smoothly? With time I see small metal balls falling out and the drawers do not slide smoothly and if kids push them eith a bit of force to close, they kind of go in too far and are very hard to open.
I have 2 Ikea dressers where with time I started seiing thses tiny little metal balls rolling in the drawers. Choking hazard too.
Thanks a ton!



    Emily
    October 11, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    I wish I had an answer for this Ags, if anyone else reading these comments has an idea please weigh in!

Ags
October 23, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Reply

I found some info elswhere online – they are called ball bearrings that have broken down. They can be replaced. I haven’t gotten to that yet.



Warren
November 3, 2015 at 6:40 pm
Reply

I found your website searching for glue to use to glue on the back panels of my MALM 6 drawer lowboy.
I am good with screw drivers, but in the past I’ve damaged finishes and bent nails hammering on back panels. So, I will use E6000 instead, wear gloves with an open the window and weight them down overnight. I had been looking to buy one for a year and noticed that they raised the price $20. Now I know why they did this, the cost of the six under the drawer metal supports that they now include. I am glad I waited.



Bryan
February 8, 2016 at 10:56 pm
Reply

woke up early this morning , looked for things to fix iaround the house and this is the first thing i noticed. Thanks for the tip! I thought of gluing it together, but was worried it might end up ruining the wood. Glad to know im not the only one who crams too many socks in their drawers, lol!



Tin Lai
February 21, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Reply

Thank you so much for your helpful post! I was so close to ordering something from Ebay to fix my drawers. You’ve saved me from spending $25 on something that I wasn’t even sure will work. I’m going to go and fix all my warped drawers around the house now. Thanks again!!



Jan
February 25, 2016 at 7:29 am
Reply

I’ve got a few drawers that need fixing, and it never occurred to me to glue them. This is going to be my weekend project. Thanks for the tip.



Gary LaMarca
April 10, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Reply

All, I have an update to the drawer problem. I purchased another Malm 4-drawer Dresser and looks like the new model has a metal supports that goes across the bottom, held on with screws. Everything else is identical except for the supports. Evidently a lot of people were complaining and they changed the design flaw.

I am trying to contact them now to send out four brackets and screws. The support part numbers are 123833 (4) and the screws are 105344 (8).



    Tyler
    April 24, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Thanks for the part codes Gary, I sent them an email and was able to get these shipped out this weekend. IKEA is very responsive and helpful on this matter as they tend to be on everything in my experience.

    Jackie
    October 21, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Great idea Gary. Thanks for posting!

Alex
June 26, 2016 at 9:08 am
Reply

Thanks a lot Emily for this fix. Have run into the same problem, but will perhaps try and solve it this way. Thanks!

Alex



    Gary LaMarca
    June 27, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    Alex, If you contact IKEA and request the support part numbers are 123833 (4) and the screws are 105344 (8), they will send the support brackets and screws that should have been on the earlier models. I received them and will a little hole, was able to attach them without a fix using glue. The bracket slides in the grove on one end and then has to be screwed on the backside on the other end; took about 10 minutes and it got rid of the existing bow in the bottom

    It took about a week or less to get the parts and they are FREE.

Jackie
October 17, 2016 at 5:35 am
Reply

My the plastic trimming strips have fallen off my ancient Hemnes dresser. The opposite side is pressed board. Any ideas/suggestions about which type of glue is best? Regards, Jackie



    Emily
    October 17, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    The strips aren’t very heavy, right? I would think something strong but fast-drying would do if you aren’t able to lay the furniture horizontal. Dabs of hot glue might work, if the edges weren’t inclined to snag… and wood glue would definitely work but you might have to tape it in place (with a temporary tape, like blue painter’s tape) until it dried completely.

    Jackie
    October 17, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    Thanks for the quick reply. Yes? the plastic strips are very lightweight. I’m testing a small strip using elmer’s white school glue &tape to hold it in place. I didn’t rough-up the plastic with sandpaper (fingers crossed)!

    Jackie
    October 21, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    Update: Elmer’s white school glue & blue painter’s tape and a solid 48 hours drying time worked to reattach the plastic veneer trim on my Ikea Hemnes dresser. WOOHOO! :D

    Emily
    October 21, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    Great news!

    Jackie
    October 21, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    tbh, reading your post and many comments gave me the courage to give it a try. thx again

EPHILLIPS
September 13, 2017 at 5:23 pm
Reply

I can’t get my drawers back in the chest. Even sure where the little plastic pieces go. HELP!



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