Drawers sticking

Gers

I have a substantial chest of drawers which have been in my home for almost 10 years.  Now I find that a number of the drawers are sticking, no longer free moving and difficult to pull out / push in.

As the mechanism is probably some sort of plastic based material I'd appreciate advice on what to use to 'oil' them.  I'm reluctant to do anything without proper knowledge.  

What's best to use?  Thanks.

Eldi_Dos

A candle rubbed up and down a few times on both parts should help.

Rodders53

Take drawer out --- then look at runners --- provide pic if necessary.  Wood or plastic?

May just be an accumulation of crud: dust, lint etc, that a good clean of runner and groove will fix.  May even be damaged/broken runner(s) on the affected drawers.  Plastic ones often push into holes on carcase sides and may not be fully home?

Better furniture will be wood runners in a wood groove when furniture wax would be the likeliest 'lubricant'.  Or even a careful sanding to reduce the size of runner slightly if it's swollen due to humidity.

Gers

Rodders53 said:

Take drawer out --- then look at runners --- provide pic if necessary.  Wood or plastic?

May just be an accumulation of crud: dust, lint etc, that a good clean of runner and groove will fix.  May even be damaged/broken runner(s) on the affected drawers.  Plastic ones often push into holes on carcase sides and may not be fully home?

Better furniture will be wood runners in a wood groove when furniture wax would be the likeliest 'lubricant'.  Or even a careful sanding to reduce the size of runner slightly if it's swollen due to humidity.

Drawers don't come out - that's part of the problem! Think the grooves are plastic.

Gers

Eldi_Dos said:

A candle rubbed up and down a few times on both parts should help.

I'll give that a go, thanks. I know it works on zips. 

twopenny

Depends on which bit is sticking.
Under the drawers if there's a wooden ledge or shelf is where the sticking can occur too.
For that I use a hard lavender wax polish and just rub lightly a couple of times a year, then it smells nice when you use them.
If the drawers don't come out enough you can use it on the side edges of the drawer base. It will spread as you use them.

molerat

Gers said:

Rodders53 said:

Take drawer out --- then look at runners --- provide pic if necessary.  Wood or plastic?

May just be an accumulation of crud: dust, lint etc, that a good clean of runner and groove will fix.  May even be damaged/broken runner(s) on the affected drawers.  Plastic ones often push into holes on carcase sides and may not be fully home?

Better furniture will be wood runners in a wood groove when furniture wax would be the likeliest 'lubricant'.  Or even a careful sanding to reduce the size of runner slightly if it's swollen due to humidity.

Drawers don't come out - that's part of the problem! Think the grooves are plastic.

Unusual for that type of runner. Are you sure there is not a little wooden toggle on the rail above the drawer that catches the back, swivel it up and pull the drawer out.

Gers

molerat said:

Gers said:

Rodders53 said:

Take drawer out --- then look at runners --- provide pic if necessary.  Wood or plastic?

May just be an accumulation of crud: dust, lint etc, that a good clean of runner and groove will fix.  May even be damaged/broken runner(s) on the affected drawers.  Plastic ones often push into holes on carcase sides and may not be fully home?

Better furniture will be wood runners in a wood groove when furniture wax would be the likeliest 'lubricant'.  Or even a careful sanding to reduce the size of runner slightly if it's swollen due to humidity.

Drawers don't come out - that's part of the problem! Think the grooves are plastic.

Unusual for that type of runner. Are you sure there is not a little wooden toggle on the rail above the drawer that catches the back, swivel it up and pull the drawer out.

Thanks  - will look later!  

MikeJXE

Take a look here 

https://windowhardwaredirect.com/blogs/news/ultimate-guide-how-to-remove-a-drawer-with-no-lever-effortlessly

Boohoo

molerat said:

Gers said:

Rodders53 said:

Take drawer out --- then look at runners --- provide pic if necessary.  Wood or plastic?

May just be an accumulation of crud: dust, lint etc, that a good clean of runner and groove will fix.  May even be damaged/broken runner(s) on the affected drawers.  Plastic ones often push into holes on carcase sides and may not be fully home?

Better furniture will be wood runners in a wood groove when furniture wax would be the likeliest 'lubricant'.  Or even a careful sanding to reduce the size of runner slightly if it's swollen due to humidity.

Drawers don't come out - that's part of the problem! Think the grooves are plastic.

Unusual for that type of runner. Are you sure there is not a little wooden toggle on the rail above the drawer that catches the back, swivel it up and pull the drawer out.

My Dad has a built in wardrobe in his bedroom and the 2 sets of cabinets with drawers can't be pulled out as is.

On his you have to pull the drawers/s out as far they can and on the inside of the drawer they were 4 screws that when undone would release the drawers from the runners that were still attached to the cabinet sides.

OP system may not be like this but just an idea.

mandy47

I use wax on mine. Spray furniture polish designed for wood also works. Great on curtain track that's sticking aswell