How to fix Sticky Drawers

When you open a drawer and find that it sticking, you may be tempted to tug and pull. While that may get the drawer out, and possibly break something in the process, it usually does little to fix the sticky drawer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Reach in the drawer with your hands turned upwards to see if something in the drawer got dislodged and is causing the drawer to stick. If your hand is too big, get one of your children or a smaller person to reach in a move the stubborn obstacle.

2. Clean out your drawers regularly. You can use this time to organize those junk drawers and move those objects that may get in the way of smooth gliding. At the same time, take out the drawer and clean the glides. This cleaning will help to prevent sticky drawers from gunky build-up that develops over time. Spray a fine lubricant on it while it's out too.

3. Paint wooden drawers on the inside with polyurethane to prevent warping and nicks that could make the drawer stick. Most furniture, except very high end styles, does not have finished interiors. It is one of the main reasons that drawers get stuck in the first place.

4. Take the drawer out if you have tried everything else and run your hands along the glides looking for any protruding nails or screws. Even if you rub paraffin on the glides and sand them down, there still might be screws or nails sticking out on the bottom of the drawer. Tap the nail back in or replace it with a new, slightly bigger nail.