Carpentry

Fix a sticking wooden drawer

A wooden drawer that sticks or drags usually has dirty, dry runners, a loose joint or wood that's swelled in humid weather. A bit of paraffin wax on the runners fixes most of them. If it's still tight, look for the shiny spots where it rubs, and sand those down lightly. A candle stub works just as well as a block of paraffin, and most houses already have one tucked away somewhere.

Rubbing a paraffin wax bar along the wooden runner of an old dresser drawer
Wax on the runners is the quickest fix for a drawer that drags.
Quick answerClean the runners and rub paraffin or a candle along them and the drawer's bottom edges. Tighten loose joints, and lightly sand shiny rub spots only if it still sticks.
Worth checking firstPull the drawer out and look for shiny spots on the runners and sides. Those are where it rubs, and they're where a bit of wax, or a light sanding, goes. A sticking drawer in humid weather may loosen on its own when it dries out.

Good to knowRenter-friendlyGood first repairUnder $10

Mike TurnerWritten and reviewed byMike TurnerUpdated Sources and safety notes
Easy20–45 min, plus overnight if a joint needs gluing$0–10
Cabinet with a wooden drawer pulled out, showing the runner it slides on, a shiny rub spot, a candle waxing its edge and a corner joint
A wooden drawer slides on runners (1). Wax the edges (2), sand shiny rub spots (3), and fix loose joints (4).

Why wooden drawers stick

Older wooden drawers slide on wood runners, with no metal slides or wheels. Over time the wood wears, dirt builds up, and humidity makes everything swell a little.

Oil and spray lubricants are the wrong fix here. They soak into the wood and attract dust. Wax is what makes wood slide.

What makes a drawer bind

Dry, dirty runners

Friction builds up.

Humidity

The wood swells.

A loose joint

The drawer racks and binds.

Worn runners

The drawer drops and drags.

Why is it sticking?
What you seeLikely causeFix
Drags all the wayDry, dirty runnersClean and wax.
Only sticks in summerHumidityWax; sand lightly if needed.
Wobbles and bindsA loose jointGlue and clamp.
Drops as you pull itWorn runnersBuild them back up.
Skip the oilDon't use oil or spray lubricant on wood runners. It soaks in, collects dust, and can make the drawer stickier over time.

Free up the drawer, step by step

0 of 5 done
  1. Take the drawer outPull the drawer all the way out. Look at the bottom edges, the sides and the runners in the cabinet for shiny, worn spots; those show where it rubs.
    Wooden drawer pulled out and turned over to look for shiny worn spots on its bottom edges
  2. Clean the runnersVacuum out the dust and crumbs, and wipe the runners and drawer edges clean.
    Vacuum hose cleaning dust out of the drawer opening and off the runners
  3. Wax the runnersRub paraffin, a candle or beeswax along the drawer's bottom edges and the runners until they feel slick. Slide the drawer in and out a few times to spread it.
    Plain white candle rubbed along the bottom edge of a wooden drawer
  4. Tighten anything looseCheck the drawer's corners and the runners in the cabinet. Tighten loose screws, and glue and clamp a loose joint. A sagging bottom can make a drawer drag too.
    Something went wrong?
    • The joint won't stay closed Reglue it and clamp it overnight before using the drawer.
    Clamp holding a glued corner joint of a wooden drawer while it dries
  5. Sand the tight spotsIf it still sticks, lightly sand the shiny spots you found, a little at a time, then wax again. Don't take off more than you need; the wood may shrink back in dry weather.
    Something went wrong?
    • It still sticks after sanding Sand a little more, only on the shiny rub marks, then wax again.
    Sandpaper lightly sanding a shiny rub spot on the drawer's side

Watch it done

Drawers Sticking? 5 Easy FixesBy The Honest Carpenter on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.
Watch on YouTube
How you'll know it's fixed
  • The drawer slides in and out smoothly
  • It doesn't drag or catch at the old shiny spots
  • Corners and runners feel solid, with no loose screws

Drawer drops or tilts? The runners are worn and need building up.

If it still sticks

If the drawer drops or tilts when you pull it out, the runners are worn. Glue a thin strip of hardwood onto the worn runner to build it back up.

If it has metal slides, clean them and follow the maker's advice for lubricating; check that the slide screws are tight.

Blame the weatherIf a drawer only sticks in summer, humidity is the reason. Wax first, and sand only as a last resort, or it may be loose all winter.
Get help ifThe drawer or cabinet is an antique you don't want to alter, the runners are broken or worn through, or the cabinet itself is out of square.

What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A furniture repair shop or handyman typically charges $50–$150 to fix a sticking drawer, more for antiques.

Find a carpenter near you

Something else going on?

Sticking drawer questions

What's the best lubricant for a wooden drawer?

Paraffin wax, a plain candle or beeswax. Avoid oil and spray lubricants on wood.

Why does my drawer stick in summer?

Humidity makes the wood swell. Wax helps, and it usually loosens up again in dry weather.

Should I sand a sticking drawer?

Only the spots that rub, a little at a time, and only after you've tried wax.

How do I fix a drawer that drops when I pull it out?

The runners are worn. Build them back up with a thin strip of hardwood glued on.

How do I make wooden drawers slide easier?

Clean the runners and rub paraffin or a candle along them and the drawer's bottom edges. Lightly sand shiny rub spots only if it still sticks.

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A helpful next stepRepair a sagging drawer bottomPut the panel back in its grooves and add glue blocks for support.