Furniture Repair: 3 Surprising Tricks for a Smooth Opening Drawer
- Candle Stick. Have a broken old candlestick? Don’t throw it away! You can use the wax off the stick to help you...
- Ivory Soap. If you are out of candlesticks, see if you have some bars of soap laying around. Especially Ivory. The...
- Paste Wax. If you are feeling professional, grab the stuff the...
How to make Wooden drawers slide smooth?
Just rub soap on the sides of the drawers to make them smoother, hence reducing friction between the drawer and the cabinet. Make sure to use unscented soap though as the scent will rub off on your drawer as well. Baby powder is also effective in making wooden drawers slide smoothly.
How to open a stuck drawer?
There are many ways you can try to pry open a stuck drawer. The first is by exerting additional pressure while pulling the drawer so that if it is stuck in place you can dislodge it. Another way would be to use some kind of lubricant to reduce the friction between the drawer and the cabinet.
How to make a drawer smaller without removing it?
You will have to sand the surface of the drawer to reduce its size. After sanding, you may also apply wax or any other wood coating to keep it from expanding or shrinking again. 5. Wax Paper If you got no paraffin wax, candle or soap, no worries.
How do you keep drawers from sliding down?
Just rub soap on the sides of the drawers to make them smoother, hence reducing friction between the drawer and the cabinet. Make sure to use unscented soap though as the scent will rub off on your drawer as well.
How do you fix a drawer that is hard to open?
0:091:17Fix Sticky Drawers: DIY How-To from Minwax - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you want to make sure that the two screws that are holding that on are tight let's go take yourMoreAnd you want to make sure that the two screws that are holding that on are tight let's go take your Phillips screwdriver tighten that down all right so it's gonna do work well on that way now.
How do you lubricate wood drawer slides?
0:392:15Lubricating Sticky Wooden Drawers with Wax - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust on the bottom and then put it in and it does make a nice difference then you can also wax theMoreJust on the bottom and then put it in and it does make a nice difference then you can also wax the wood runner that the drawer is going to go over.
How do I make my wooden drawers run smoother?
Rub paraffin on the meeting parts of drawers to keep them working smoothly. You'll find paraffin with the canning supplies in your local grocery store. In a pinch you can also use candles, bar soap or even dry spray lubricant.
What is the best lubricant for wood?
If the drawer slides are plastic or metal, you can still use the recommended lubricants for wood drawers (like wax or tape), but your best bet would be to purchase and apply white lithium grease. Be careful not to use any harsh lubrication products, though, as they can damage the finish.
1. Candle Stick
Have a broken old candlestick? Don’t throw it away! You can use the wax off the stick to help you drawers run a little smoother.
2. Ivory Soap
If you are out of candlesticks, see if you have some bars of soap laying around. Especially Ivory. The waxy feel of this soap works in your favor here. Run the soap along the runners in the same way you would the candle. It will create a buildup that will help the drawers run a little better.
3. Paste Wax
If you are feeling professional, grab the stuff the pros use. Minwax Paste Wax is an old standard among furniture refinishers. It’s different than the soft creamy waxes that are so popular today.
4. Check for obstructions
Bonus! This may be obvious, but you’d be surprised the number of times I’ve found a drawer isn’t working properly is simply because something has gotten in the way. Maybe a splintered piece of wood, a loose runner, a nail or screw that has come loose. Check out the inside of the piece well and see what you can find.
Paraffin or nylon tape keeps wooden drawers from sticking
Make stuck drawers open smoothly again with a little paraffin or special nylon tape that lubricates those rubbing, sticky surfaces. It's a 5-minute fix.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
How To Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier Step by Step
Step 1 First, check the guides for any paper or other material that has jammed the drawer and may prevent it from sliding properly. When a drawer jams and does not open, we must not force it. A good option is to pass a bar of moistened bath soap along the sides of the drawer, spreading the product with a cloth.
Method 1: How To Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier with Candle Wax or Paraffin Candles
Who does not have a candle at home? It is common that we keep at least one in case the power goes out but you can also use them to fix a drawer that does not slide properly.
Method 2: How To Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier using Soap
A second alternative, in the case that there are no candles at home, to fix a drawer that does not slide is to use a bar of soap. You must pass it through the rails, the drawer and the furniture following the same method as the candle.
Method 3: How To Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier using Sandpaper
One of the reasons why drawers can slide badly or get stuck occurs when the wood has swollen due to the effect of humidity. Then the drawers do not run so it is best to sand the parts of the drawer that are more worn with sandpaper.
Method 4: Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier using Self adhesive tape
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to fixing a drawer that won’t slide properly , cover the areas of the drawer and furniture that come into contact when the drawer slides with a piece of self-adhesive tape.
How do I make my drawers slide easier?
If you can no longer resist the urge to break the drawer because it locks every time you want to open or close it, use this technique that will allow you to move it as if it were automatic. If the drawer is made of wood, smear it with a white candle or glycerin soap. For the case in which the guides are metallic, it is best to use petroleum jelly.
How to prevent wood drawers from jamming ?
To prevent your drawer from jamming, you should clean the side rails and drawer rails regularly. Dust, hair or wood chips can accumulate again and again due to the constant opening and closing and cause blockages:
1. Paraffin Wax
Used in a wide range of products, paraffin wax is readily available in your local grocery store. Just pull the drawer out completely then rub the wax on the sides, edges, and all surfaces where the drawer touches the chest.
2. Soap
If you can’t make that trip to the grocery store for a block of paraffin wax, you can always use that bar of soap in your bathroom. Preferably, use unscented ones so it won’t attract ants and insects. If not, make sure it’s the one you wouldn’t mind smelling all the time.
3. Candle
Candlesticks and even tea candles work well with stuck drawers too. Just use it like you would a paraffin wax or soap. If you’re using a tea candle, make sure the scent will not attract insects. Using a white candle is also recommended as it won’t leave visible stains on the surfaces.
4. Sanding
Sometimes, the wood will become too bloated that they no longer fit inside the chest. In this case, a simple waxing won’t do. You will have to sand the surface of the drawer to reduce its size. After sanding, you may also apply wax or any other wood coating to keep it from expanding or shrinking again.
5. Wax Paper
If you got no paraffin wax, candle or soap, no worries. You can also use that wax paper lying at the back of your cupboard. As the name suggests, wax paper is coated with paraffin wax. When you rub it on the wood, some of the paraffin wax will transfer to the wood’s surface.
About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer and SEO specialist. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources. She is the lead author for several prominent websites covering a variety of topics including law, health, nutrition, and more.
