How to Make Drawers Slide Easily and Not Stick

Drawers may stick when wood expands in humid conditions.

Attempting to open a sticky drawer can be a frustrating waste of time, adding minutes to routine tasks. Drawers usually stick when their glides wear out or when the wood expands in wet weather conditions. You can fix both of these problems with common supplies found at the hardware store.

Things You'll Need

• Flashlights
• Sandpaper
• Candle or soap
• Flat headed thumbtacks
• Penetrating wood sealer or wax

Instructions

1. Open the drawer as much as possible without forcing it. Place several lit flashlights inside the drawer and leave them there for 15 minutes. The heat from the flashlights will dry out the wood and make it contract for easier removal.

2. Remove the drawer and take out all objects inside.

3. Examine the glides on the bottom of the drawer for any shiny spots where the glides rub against the wood. Sand down the shiny areas to reduce friction, retest the drawer and sand again until the drawer slides more smoothly.

4. Rub candle wax or soap on the drawer glides to make them slide more easily if the drawer is usually loaded with heavy objects.

5. Place flat headed thumbtacks along the front of the glides if you need to lift the drawer up to remove it, or if the drawer won't close fully.

6. Wash the drawer with soap and water. Let it dry thoroughly and coat it with a penetrating wood sealer or wax if the drawer tends to stick in wet weather.

References

• University of Florida; Making Simple Repairs: Repairing Drawers; Mary N. Harrison; 2009
• Michigan State University; Making Simple Repairs on Wood Furniture; Margaret Boschetti; October 1976

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish