ᐅ The MALM bed only squeaks when sitting on it – what can I do?

Hello everyone, I have a Malm bed from IKEA and noticed that it often squeaks when sitting on it – but this rarely happens when I’m lying down. The squeaking usually occurs when I get out of bed or briefly sit down, for example when putting on clothes. It’s quite annoying, and I don’t want to keep applying oil or grease because I think there might be other causes. The bed is about 2 years old, used regularly, and I’ve checked all visible screws – none seem loose. Maybe the problem is related to the wood or the joinery? Does anyone have experience with this or tips on how to fix the issue more sustainably so it doesn’t come back quickly? Thanks in advance!

Nopeo2 schrieb:
The squeaking usually happens when I get out of bed or just sit down briefly, for example when getting dressed.

This suggests that the bed’s mechanism or connection points, especially along the seat edge or the side supports, allow slight movement that causes friction. MALM beds have a frame construction made of glued wood panels and metal fittings. I recommend first systematically checking and tightening all screws, even if they seem tight.

If that doesn’t help, a long-term solution can be to attach thin felt or rubber strips at the contact points so that the materials don’t rub directly against each other. Avoid using oil or grease directly on wood, as it can penetrate and soften the material, potentially causing worse noises over time.

The squeaking can also result from minimal stresses within the wood itself, which change under pressure.

First, check if the screws at the corner joints are really tight. Often, just a slight tightening is enough to eliminate the squeaking. If that does not help, try inserting very thin felt pads between the wooden connections. This usually dampens the noise quite well.

RETRAVIS schrieb:
I recommend systematically checking and tightening all screw connections first.

That is very good advice. Additionally, it is important not only to check the visible screws but also the connecting fittings (e.g. dowels or metal brackets). MALM beds often use connectors that can loosen slightly over time.

You should also try moving the bed without the mattress to listen carefully where the squeaking is coming from. This helps to pinpoint the problem more precisely and address it effectively.

If you’re not confident with DIY work, it might be helpful to contact IKEA customer service with the exact article number – sometimes they provide specific maintenance tips or goodwill credit for suitable replacement parts.

I had a similar issue with a bed myself, and a combination of tightening the screws and adding rubber pads under the connectors worked very well for me.

Louie schrieb:
If you're not confident with the DIY work, it might help to send a brief inquiry to IKEA customer service with the exact item number

Good advice! I would add: Don’t get discouraged – a squeaky bed is not the end of the world. Sometimes a bit of patience helps, and you can carefully treat the areas in question during the first few days after tightening, for example with a wax product made for wood.

And remember: Sitting on the bed is not the main purpose, sleeping is. 🙂

Good luck with the repair – and if you get frustrated along the way, a little dance on the Malm bed can help redistribute the noises 😉 All the best!