If you’ve ever struggled with sticky wooden drawers that don’t glide smoothly, here’s a simple trick straight from the old-school furniture care playbook: wax them with a bar of soap or a candle!

Wood-on-wood drawer slides can swell, stick, or drag over time, especially with changes in humidity. To fix this, take a dry bar of soap or a plain wax candle and rub it along the runners and contact points of the drawer and cabinet. The wax reduces friction, making the drawer slide much more easily — no hardware required.

This tip works great on vintage or handmade furniture and takes just a minute. No mess, no tools, just smoother drawers and less frustration. Give it a try and feel the difference!