Diagnose why a kitchen drawer sticks, then clean, tighten and adjust it so it closes smoothly again.
KD-01Empty and remove the drawerTake everything out of the drawer so you can see what's going on. Pull the drawer fully open, then lift the front slightly and slide it out - most kitchen drawers unclip from their runners this way. Check inside the drawer box and underneath it for anything that might be catching.
KD-02Check the runners for obstructions and damageLook along both runner tracks inside the cabinet for anything blocking them, such as a dropped utensil, a wrapper, or a build-up of crumbs and grease. Run your finger along the metal or plastic runners to feel for dents, bent sections or cracks. A bent or cracked runner usually needs replacing rather than fixing in place.
KD-03Clean the runnersWipe both runners with a damp cloth to remove grease and grime, then dry them fully. A sticky build-up is one of the most common reasons a drawer starts to stick, even when nothing is actually broken.
KD-04Lubricate the runnersSpray a light coat of silicone lubricant along metal runners, or rub candle wax along wooden ones. Avoid oil-based lubricants on plastic runners, as oil can make some plastics swell and stick worse. Slide the drawer in and out a few times to work the lubricant in evenly.
KD-05Tighten the drawer front screwsMost drawer fronts are held on by two screws driven from inside the drawer box into the back of the front panel. If these have worked loose, the front can sit slightly twisted and catch on the cabinet frame as it closes. Tighten both screws evenly with a screwdriver, checking the front panel sits square before moving on.
KD-06Check and tighten the runner mounting screwsLook at where each runner is screwed to the side of the cabinet. Tighten any loose screws with a screwdriver or cordless screwdriver. If a screw hole has worn out and the screw just spins, pack it with a wooden cocktail stick and a dab of wood glue, let it dry for 20 minutes, then re-drive the screw.
KD-07Adjust the soft-close mechanism, if fittedSome drawers have a small damper unit on the runner with an adjustment screw. Turning this changes how far the drawer needs to travel before the damper takes over and pulls it shut. Make small adjustments and test the drawer each time - not all drawers have this feature, so skip this step if yours doesn't.
KD-08Test with normal load and fine-tunePut the usual contents back in the drawer and check it closes fully and sits flush with the drawers or doors next to it. If it still catches, check the cabinet itself isn't sitting slightly out of square - hold a spirit level against the cabinet face to check quickly. Re-tighten any screws that worked loose during testing.
KD-09Tidy upWipe away any lubricant that has dripped onto the cabinet base or floor, as it can be slippery. Put your tools away and bin any worn-out runner parts or off-cuts you removed.
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