Avoid sticky wooden drawers with these simple fixes.
One of my most prized pieces of furniture is a small chest of drawers my grandfather built. It’s beautiful and full of character, but for years the drawers were tough to open and close, especially in humid weather. They move on wooden drawer slides, common in handcrafted furniture and workbenches, and notorious for being difficult to open and close. Fortunately, fixing them is usually quick and surprisingly simple. Ahead, you’ll find our best tips to fix sticky wooden drawers, with insights from two woodworking product experts.
On This Page
What Causes Wooden Drawers to Jam?
Humidity is a common culprit for sticky wooden drawers. The moisture in the air causes wood fibers to swell, and a once smoothly opening drawer now rubs against the drawer slide, making opening and closing difficult. Additionally, older drawers may become warped as the wood ages, causing the drawer to no longer move smoothly along the slides. Dust and dirt build-up on the slides can also cause wooden drawers to jam and become difficult to use.
Methods to Fix Stuck Wooden Drawer Slides
Sandpaper
Start with a medium grit sandpaper, around 180-220, and gently sand the drawer bottom, as well as any slides, runners or center rails. Light sanding helps smooth out any uneven or slightly warped areas that may be causing friction. It also removes dirt or dust that can accumulate over time and make the drawer stick. After sanding, remove any dust with a clean, dry cloth before testing the drawer to see if it slides more freely.
SlipIt
SlipIt is an American-made lubricant in production since 1939. One of its original uses was to free stuck wooden windows, and the product also works well to fix stuck wooden drawers. “It contains a combination of oils, waxes and additives which have proven, over many decades, to be an excellent choice for this application,” Stephen E. Goodman, President of Fehr Bros Industries, the maker of SlipIt, says.
He recommends applying SlipIt to drawers and slides with a brush or cloth, and reapplying as needed. “We have found that if the wood is very dry, the initial application gets absorbed very quickly and a re-application may be required 24 to 48 hours later,” he says.
Dry Lubricant Spray
Dry lubricant spray is another great option for fixing sticky wooden drawers because it doesn’t leave a greasy or oily residue. Sold under various brand names—Teflon being one—these sprays all contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), so look for that ingredient when shopping. Simply spray the dry lubricant along the drawer bottom and slides to create a non-greasy surface that won’t attract dust or dirt.
Nylon Tape
Wax
A common solution for fixing sticky wooden drawers is to apply wax along the drawer bottom and the slide where they meet. A candle works in a pinch, but paraffin wax is recommended and is easy to find in craft stores or the canning section of most grocery stores. Clean the drawer bottom and slide, then rub wax on all contact surfaces, taking care to avoid splinters. Bar soap can also be applied in the same way with similar results.
FAQ
When is it time to replace my wooden drawers?
Wooden drawers that are split, warped or constantly need reapplication of the above methods should be replaced.
About the Experts
