How do you make wood on wood drawers slide easier?

Having drawers that stick and don’t slide smoothly can be very frustrating. When you have wood on wood drawers, there are a few simple steps you can take to help them glide effortlessly and make opening and closing them much easier.

Use Wax or Candle

One of the easiest and most effective ways to make wood on wood drawers slide better is to rub wax or a candle on the drawer slides. Here’s how to do it:

1. Take out the drawers and clean the tracks/slides to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Use fine grit sandpaper to lightly sand the slides and remove any small bumps or imperfections in the wood.
3. Take a wax candle or bar of wax and rub it along the bottom of the drawer and on the slides/tracks. Apply a thin even coat.
4. Replace the drawers and open and close them a few times to buff the wax into the wood.

The wax or candle lubricates the surface so the wood glides smoothly instead of sticking. Beeswax, paraffin wax, and candle wax all work well for lubricating wood on wood drawers. The wax reduces friction and wear between the surfaces.

Try Dry Lubricant Sprays

In addition to wax and candles, there are also some dry lubricant sprays made specifically for lubricating wood drawers and slides. These are easy to apply options:

• Graphite powder – This is finely milled graphite that can be sprayed directly on the wood slides. Graphite works as a dry lubricant to reduce friction.
• PTFE sprays – Sprays made with PTFE or Teflon can be used to coat the wood and enhance slide action.
• Silicone sprays – Silicone based sprays can lubricate the wood and repel moisture.

Always clean the tracks first before applying any of these dry sprays. Follow the directions for application and reapply as needed over time.

Use Beeswax Furniture Polish

Applying a beeswax furniture polish is another great option for lubricating wood on wood drawers. Here are some tips for using furniture polish:

• Clean the tracks and slides first to remove dirt, dust or existing build up.
• Apply a small amount of beeswax polish and buff it into the wood using a clean, dry cloth.
• Focus on coating the contact points between the drawers and the frame tracks.
• Let the polish dry for 30 minutes before sliding the drawers in and out.
• The polish will transfer onto the wood and make the surfaces slick and smooth.

Furniture polish contains beeswax which penetrates into the wood grain and provides lasting lubrication. Repeat this waxing every few months to maintain the slick surface.

Consider Wood Drawer Liners

Installing new drawer liners is an easy upgrade that can instantly make wood drawers slide better. Here are some top options:

• Felt – Self adhesive felt sheets add a super smooth surface for wood drawers to glide across. This material minimizes friction and dampens sound.
• Vinyl – Sticky backed vinyl drawer liners are inexpensive and easy to trim to size. The slick surface prevents sticking.
• Polyurethane – Thicker polyurethane liners have a non-slip backing and provide cushioning between the wood surfaces.

Measure the interior drawer dimensions and use sharp scissors to cut any liner material to size needed. Make sure to clean the drawers thoroughly before applying the new liners.

Adjust the Slides

If your wood drawers are still sticky even after lubricating, the problem may be misaligned slides. Here are some tips for adjusting wood drawer slides:

• Look for slides that are bent or warped and gently bend them back into shape.
• Make sure drawer is level and check for any sagging. Shim under slides to level, if needed.
• Ensure drawer box is snug in opening without excess side play.
• Loosen slide screws, adjust position, and re-tighten.
• Test drawer movement and make further adjustments until gliding smoothly.

Proper slide alignment prevents rubbing, binding and resistance when opening or closing the drawers. Take time to adjust the slides and hardware for optimal function.

Clean Regularly

No matter what type of lubrication method you use, it’s important to clean your wood drawers on a regular basis. Here are some tips for proper cleaning:

• Remove all items from the drawer to access all surfaces.
• Use a vacuum attachment to remove dirt, debris and dust buildup.
• Wipe wood surfaces down with a wood furniture cleaner or mild soap and water.
• Scrub sticky spots using fine steel wool or sandpaper.
• Dry immediately with a clean cloth.

Follow up with your choice of wax, spray or polish to re-lubricate the wood after cleaning. Frequent cleaning will prevent dirt and grime from building up and causing more friction.

Replace Damaged Slides

If your wood drawer slides are damaged beyond repair, replacing them is the best solution for restoring smooth function. Here are some tips for replacing drawer slides:

• Look for replacement slides that match the original style and mounting positions.
• Measure the original slides and purchase the same sizes for the new hardware.
• Use a screwdriver to detach the old slides from the drawers and cabinet frame.
• Attach the new slides following the manufacturer instructions.
• Test that the new slides are smooth and allow full drawer motion.

Upgrading to new, high quality drawer slides can dramatically improve performance and eliminate stickiness. This is a great option if the current slides are worn out or defective.

Consider Adding Rollers

For added smooth gliding action, you can install wood or plastic rollers on the drawer bottoms. Here are some tips for adding rollers:

• Purchase self-adhesive rollers or use small screws to attach them.
• Position 4 rollers near each corner of the drawer bottom for stability.
• Ensure the rollers align with the cabinet tracks when the drawer is replaced.
• For deep drawers, also add rollers near the halfway point to support the weight.

The rollers minimize direct wood-on-wood contact and friction. Allow a small gap around the rollers to prevent binding or scraping.

Apply Wood Oil

Applying a natural wood oil is a great way to nourish and protect wood drawer slides while also enhancing glide motion. Here are some tips for using wood oil:

• Clean and sand drawer slides to remove any residue and roughness.
• Choose a natural oil like tung or lemon oil which soaks into wood.
• Use a clean rag to apply a thin coat of oil over the wood slides.
• Let the oil soak in fully and then wipe away any excess.
• Allow the oil to cure fully, around 7 days.

The oil penetrates the wood grain to provide lasting lubrication without leaving an oily residue behind. Re-apply every few months for optimal results.

Replace with Rolling Drawer Slides

If you want an ultra smooth rolling action for heavy drawers, consider upgrading your fixed slides to rolling drawer slides. Here are some benefits of rolling drawer slides:

• Mounted on ball bearing rollers for effortless motion.
• Allow full drawer extension for easy access to contents.
• High load capacity for heavy drawers.
• Provide smooth and quiet operation.
• Top brands like Blum offer durable construction.

Installing a set of high performance rolling drawer slides is a great upgrade for any sticky wood drawer. This provides the smoothest slide mechanism for a seamless open and close movement.

Try a Wood Drawer Slide Lubricant

Specialized wood drawer lubricants are available that are formulated to specifically enhance sliding action. Here are some top options:

Lubricant	Features
Johnson Paste Wax	– Made from carnauba wax – Lightly coats wood with wax film – Buffs to a hard, dry finish
WoodRiver Wax Stick	– Solid beeswax formula – Goes on easily and buffs smoothly – Leaves no oily residue
Howard Feed-N-Wax	– Contains beeswax and orange oil – Conditions wood while lubricating – Fresh citrus scent
TRI-FLOW Superior Dry Lube	– Advanced PTFE formula – Dry spray won’t attract dirt or dust – Repels moisture on wood

These specially designed wood lubricants make it easy to enhance sliding action in wood drawers. Look for ones that provide durable lubrication without leaving behind an oily mess. The wax and PTFE formulas work best.

Conclusion

Sticky, stubborn wood on wood drawers can be frustrating. But there are many DIY solutions available to make them glide smoothly again. The key steps are cleaning the slides, lubricating with wax or oil, replacing damaged slides, and regularly maintaining the wood. Adjusting misaligned slides and installing new drawer liners can also help. With the right repairs and regular care, you can easily restore slick, trouble-free operation to your wooden drawers.