I have a dresser that the drawers are swollen shut.

Question

I can only open top drawer, dresser was in garage where its humid, how can I get them open again.Its in my air conditioned house now. thanks!!

William · Answer

http://macgyverisms.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-sticky-stubborn-wooden-drawers-slide-more-smoothly-0146571/ http://homeguides.sfgate.com/fix-jammed-dresser-drawer-28542.html http://www.doityourself.com/stry/fixstickingdrawers

Dee · Answer

If you can get it outside in the hot sun, I live in Tomball so I know how hot and humid it is where you are, Leave it outside a few hours and try to open the drawers. You need to try to dry it out. Take the top drawer out and try to push the others out. Do NOT use any kind of liquid to open the drawers. Once dry you should be able to pry the others out. Or if it has a back that can come off, see if you can push from the back.

Carol · Answer

What about a hairdryer on hot?

Crystal Meyer Griffith · Answer

Leave it in the AC to remove moisture. May take several days to several weeks. Just check them every few days.

Barbara4595 · Answer

sprinkle with corn starch to absorb moisture

Gmk7499166 · Answer

Try putting dresser in hot dry room  or in the sun. The moisture in a humid room causes wood to swell as the wood will absorb the moisture. A  hot dry place will draw out the moisture thus shrinking the wood. Also youcan rub unscebted candle wax into thw outside of the drawers  and it will stop some odf the absorbtion of moisture and allow the drawers to slide easier in and out.

Carol Hando · Answer

I have an older dresser and you cannot reach between the drawers because there is a wood panel so you may have this problem. patience and dry air should work

I do not recommend candle wax since it tends to get gummy over the years making the drawers stick. I had to use a box plane to scrape it from the drawers so they would slide

i feel your pain. I left a couple of drawers in a moist area and now cannot get them back in!

Good luck

Bla22594008 · Answer

How can l get a drawer that is swollen shut open. It’s been stuck for quiet sometime-months

Sue Shay · Answer

Um. I live in a rental and my kitchen drawers are perhaps 40 yrs. old. I made the mistake of simply washing one briefly in my sink. Eight hours later, it's puffed and degrading and I can't get it back in. Turns out it's not made of pure wood. I'll try drying it out in the sun. Note to others... Maybe don't wash out your drawers. Oy.

Chulbuldoon · Answer

See there's a need to study the design of the drawer. The drawer usually slides withe theSupporting slides on the sides. The sides of the drawer are vertical and if they swell up they will obstruct the sliding. The Easier way is to use the water pipe cutting saw and slide it between the edges(such that it's plane is horizontal to the ground . Scrape off the upper and lower sides by a millimetre of so. Uthe drawers will open

Donna · Answer

Does anyone know if a blow dryer would work?

I have a dresser that the drawers are swollen shut.

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I have a dresser that the drawers are swollen shut.

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