ᐅ What can you do if the MALM bed creaks too much when turning?
Created on: 30 May 2015 19:27
M
Mobrendon
Hello everyone,
I have had an IKEA Malm bed for some time now, which is basically functional and attractive, but unfortunately makes quite disturbing noises when turning in bed. It squeaks and creaks, which not only wakes me up but also my partner.
I suspect the noise mainly comes from the joints between the side panels and the headboard, but I’m not completely sure. Are there any proven methods I can try to make the bed quieter? I have considered tightening all the screws, but maybe there are other tricks, such as special lubricants or small dampers?
I would be very grateful for any advice, especially if someone has had the same experience with the MALM and knows how to solve the problem in the long term.
I have had an IKEA Malm bed for some time now, which is basically functional and attractive, but unfortunately makes quite disturbing noises when turning in bed. It squeaks and creaks, which not only wakes me up but also my partner.
I suspect the noise mainly comes from the joints between the side panels and the headboard, but I’m not completely sure. Are there any proven methods I can try to make the bed quieter? I have considered tightening all the screws, but maybe there are other tricks, such as special lubricants or small dampers?
I would be very grateful for any advice, especially if someone has had the same experience with the MALM and knows how to solve the problem in the long term.
T
tuFernando1 Jun 2015 18:16I find all of this very helpful and know how annoying a creaky bed can be – sleep is sacred!
Just as a side note: Sometimes you want to simply know for sure that you’re actually working on the problem and not just fiddling around. Has anyone else experienced a specific spot that was especially noisy, where the cause was almost impossible to find? That definitely adds to the frustration.
Sometimes it helps at least to take the time to identify the noisiest points and start solving the problem there first.
If it’s any comfort, Mobrendon, I once shared a bed at night with a partner who moves around like a propeller, which caused strange noises too. In my case, replaceable felt pads did the trick in the end. After a few months, of course, something changed again. So I would really recommend trying the tips selectively and checking after a few weeks what still remains. Patience is part of the process! 🙂
Just as a side note: Sometimes you want to simply know for sure that you’re actually working on the problem and not just fiddling around. Has anyone else experienced a specific spot that was especially noisy, where the cause was almost impossible to find? That definitely adds to the frustration.
Sometimes it helps at least to take the time to identify the noisiest points and start solving the problem there first.
If it’s any comfort, Mobrendon, I once shared a bed at night with a partner who moves around like a propeller, which caused strange noises too. In my case, replaceable felt pads did the trick in the end. After a few months, of course, something changed again. So I would really recommend trying the tips selectively and checking after a few weeks what still remains. Patience is part of the process! 🙂
Additional information:
Squeaking in furniture usually results from friction between uneven or irregular contact surfaces.
In the case of the Malm bed, the particleboard and engineered wood materials used are less dimensionally stable than solid wood. Under load, this likely leads to minimal deformation.
Thermal expansion and moisture absorption can increase the effect.
From a technical and scientific perspective, the most effective approach is to reduce the friction area by using appropriate separating layers, such as self-adhesive felt strips applied to all supporting joints. This also minimizes wear.
Oil- or grease-based lubricants may be less suitable because they can cause wood to swell and quickly become sticky when combined with dust. Therefore, dry lubricants (e.g., PTFE-based) are preferable.
In addition, it is important to tighten screws correctly, avoiding overtightening, to prevent stress in the material that can contribute to noise.
Regular inspection and maintenance can help reduce the problem in the long term.
These statements are based on common findings in woodworking and furniture technology.
Squeaking in furniture usually results from friction between uneven or irregular contact surfaces.
In the case of the Malm bed, the particleboard and engineered wood materials used are less dimensionally stable than solid wood. Under load, this likely leads to minimal deformation.
Thermal expansion and moisture absorption can increase the effect.
From a technical and scientific perspective, the most effective approach is to reduce the friction area by using appropriate separating layers, such as self-adhesive felt strips applied to all supporting joints. This also minimizes wear.
Oil- or grease-based lubricants may be less suitable because they can cause wood to swell and quickly become sticky when combined with dust. Therefore, dry lubricants (e.g., PTFE-based) are preferable.
In addition, it is important to tighten screws correctly, avoiding overtightening, to prevent stress in the material that can contribute to noise.
Regular inspection and maintenance can help reduce the problem in the long term.
These statements are based on common findings in woodworking and furniture technology.
tuFernando schrieb:
Sleep is sacred!Absolutely, I couldn’t agree more! 😄
I once had a squeaky bed with friends, and we simply stuffed some old socks with cotton wool and wedged them behind the slatted frame. It helped incredibly well because it improved the pressure and friction distribution.
It might sound a bit funny, but sometimes it’s exactly those simple tricks that work!
Try this as a last resort if expensive products or DIY fixes are getting on your nerves. 😉
Good luck silencing your sleep sanctuary!
NAU34 schrieb:
took a few old socks filled with cotton wool and tucked them behind the slatted bed baseHaha, that’s a tip that made me smile. But why not? If it helps, that’s great. 😉
Personally, I’ve always had good results with regular maintenance. Every few months, tighten everything, check the bed thoroughly, and remove dust – this creates a solid foundation in the long run.
Another tip: If you use felt furniture pads, make sure to buy good quality ones that don’t wear out too quickly. Cheap pads can come off faster and make the problem worse again.
I definitely wish you good luck. And remember: a bed isn’t just a piece of furniture, it’s where we recharge our energy. So don’t hesitate to put some care into it. 🙂
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