Download Article
Download Article
Wooden drawers are quickly starting to fall to metal and plastic drawers in homes all across the world. The main reason for this is that wooden drawers have an awful tendency to stick when the humidity changes inside. There are a few simple ways to fix this, though, and the good thing about these tips is that they also apply for other things around the house - wooden doors and windows also stick from time to time, and can be helped the same way that drawers can.
Steps
Kitchen and bathroom drawers require a bit more work, since the soap will not help much.
-
Clean the drawers first. Wipe them down with a damp cloth, and try to remove all dust. (If you've been using the soap method, use a putty knife to remove the built-up soap). [3] X Research source
-
Spray the drawers with a silicone-based lubricant. Like the soap, this is not permanent. The lubricant will, however, last longer, and it won't build up as much as the soap will. [4] X Research source
-
Clean up! This is extremely important if you use the silicone-based lubricant. If you accidentally sprayed anything other than the drawers with the lubricant, clean it up as soon as possible! It will make the floors very slippery, and if you do not clean it up quickly, it will be nearly impossible to get out. (If you don't trust yourself with the spray, put newspaper down before you spray anything at all). [5] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhat is silicone spray?DvortygirlCommunity AnswerIt's a liquid lubricant, sort of like oil. You should be able to get it in most hardware stores. Don't use it on painted surfaces or on any surfaces you have to handle. Also don't use it on any surfaces that will come in contact with food.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- Speaking of sandpaper, if none of these tips and tricks helped you, use a less-rough piece of sandpaper to smooth down the corners of the sticky drawer. In the process, you may even find the actual problem in the process. Of course, this is best if you don't do it on stained wood, unless you like staining drawers over again. [6] X Research sourceThanks
- Be clean, and remove the leftover soap from last time every time you reapply it. If you neglect to do this, it will build up and attract dust and grime.Thanks
- If you don't mind a marking on the inside of the drawer, there is another method. Take a regular pencil (not mechanical) and, where the drawer is sticking, shade that patch of wood in with the pencil. This works best with the smaller problems, as the graphite is only a lubricant, not sandpaper.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Clean up the lubricant immediately or it may not come off areas where you have spilled it.Thanks
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- Basic soap (for example Dial, Ivory) - no oils or lotions
- Silicone-based lubricant.
- A washcloth.
References
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/30/nyregion/home-clinic-if-those-drawers-stick.html
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/12-unexpected-uses-for-a-regular-bar-of-soap-49827
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_LxX6zVyJU
- ↑ https://newengland.com/today/living/home-repair-diy/fix-sticky-drawers/
- ↑ https://www.naturalhandyman.com/qa/qamaintenancetips.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6tmey7GQus
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 149,142 times.
Advertisement