How to Fix Sticky Drawers

Waking up every morning and having to fight with a stuck dresser drawer is a bad way to start the day. Sticky drawers can be one of the most frustrating of domestic disputes and, when left unaddressed, these little annoyances can evolve into real problems: the handles can break, and the drawers themselves may come apart. Rather than go the costly route and replace your dresser with a newer model with drawers that don’t stick, extend its life by using the following tips to fix sticky drawers.

HOW TO FIX STICKY DRAWERS

Fix Sticky Drawers with Sandpaper

Take the sticky drawers out and look at the edges. Are there any shiny spots? Those are the areas that stick. Sand them down with some coarse sandpaper, and they should be fine.

Fix Sticky Drawers with A Lubricant

If your drawer usually holds books or other heavy items, the frame of the sticky drawer may need to be lubricated. Rub the drawer frame — the spots where the drawer glides into the frame — with candle wax, paraffin, or even an old bar of soap to give it a little extra glide. You can also spray them with a product such ad WD-40.

Fix Sticky Drawers with Thumbtacks

If you take the drawer out, you may notice that the glide — the narrow piece of wood which the drawer glides shut — is missing or worn down. If it’s missing, the drawer will drag. You can fix this sticky drawer and give it a lift by pushing three or four thumbtacks along the glide. It should then open and close with ease. Do you know how to fix sticky drawers using other methods? Let us know in the comments! This post was first published in 2012 and has been updated.

SEE MORE: How to Repair Torn Upholstery Remove White Rings from Wood Furniture | Repair Stains, Dents & Rings How to Get Scratches out of Wood

PRINT