Asked on Aug 20, 2015
How do I unstick a drawer in an antique oak dresser?
by Melody
+4
I have an antique serpentine dresser that was stored in a basement. I think the wood has swelled. One of the top drawers is stuck. I've tried everything I can think of, jiggling, from underneath, and even tapping it. It is totally jammed.
6 answers
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I had a similar problem and someone suggested using a very little spray of DW-40 with the little red straw thing. I let that sit for about 5 minutes and the drawer gave way. Once unstuck I was told to coat the runners on the side and the bottom with candle wax. It worked like magic but I have to refresh the wax every 6 to 8 months or so. Hope this works for you.
![Leanore]()
Leanore
on Aug 21, 2015
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I would reccomend letting the furniture totally dry out so the swelling goes down Then try to open the draw. It has worked for me in the past.
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Aug 21, 2015
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I have used BeesWax on all the furniture that I have had with this problem. Just give it a good rub and whalaa, no more sticking. You might have to do it again later, but I keep a big chunk around all the time for things like this.
![Chris Leckington]()
Chris Leckington
on Aug 21, 2015
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Get some ski wax and rub on it
![1728226]()
1728226
on Aug 21, 2015
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My husband does a lot of repairs on antiques, and he uses paraffin (like wax used for canning vegetables) on the bottom of the drawers. It works great to get them to glide. Also, you might make sure that the board that the drawer slides on is not broken.
![Terry McMullen]()
Terry McMullen
on Aug 22, 2015
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If swelling is not the problem, try removing the back panel carefully, make sure there is nothing stuck in the drawer. Once the panel is off you can check to see if anything is broken that may need to be repaired. Then wax the runners
![266335]()
266335
on Aug 25, 2015
Leanore
on Aug 21, 2015
Janet Pizaro
on Aug 21, 2015
Chris Leckington
on Aug 21, 2015
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