How to fix a sticking drawer that will not slide

10 minutes. Costs next to nothing.

Try this first (costs nothing): empty the drawer and pull it fully out. Look at the sides and the runners (the rails it slides on). Dust, crumbs and rough patches show where it catches. Wipe both with a dry cloth.

Fix the common causes

1. Rough or swollen wood. Look for shiny marks on the sides. Rub them with the end of a candle or a bar of soap, then push the drawer in and out a few times.
2. Dirty runners. Wipe them. For plastic or metal runners, a dry silicone spray works well. Do not use thick grease, which collects dust.
3. Loose screws. Tighten any screws on the runners and handles.
4. Overfilled drawer. Take the top items out. Heavy loads make the runners bend.
5. Humid weather. Wood swells in damp air. Open the window or run a dehumidifier. It often goes back when the air dries.

If that does not work

• Sand lightly. If a spot rubs, sand it very lightly with fine sandpaper, then wax it. Take off a little at a time.
• Check the back. A drawer can tilt if the back has slid off the runner. Lift it slightly and set it back in place.
• Look for a warped base. A bowed bottom panel can catch on the cabinet. Pushing the drawer in upside down can show where.

A bent metal runner can sometimes be bent straight, but a replacement pair is more reliable. Take the old one to a shop to match the length.

Fix it, replace it or live with it

• Fix it: a tight drawer, a squeak or a noisy slide.
• Replace it: a runner that is bent, cracked or missing.
• Live with it: a drawer that sticks for a few damp weeks of the year.

For more small household fixes, see stop a door squeaking.

If a tall unit wobbles as well as sticks, see the wobbly flat-pack shelf.