ᐅ How can I reduce the noise from squeaking IKEA Hemnes furniture?

Created on: 24 Jul 2017 19:43
M
Metaro
Hello everyone, I recently bought some IKEA Hemnes furniture and unfortunately noticed an annoying creaking noise with even the slightest movement, especially on drawers and doors. The creaking is quite loud and affects the living atmosphere.

My specific question is: What practical and long-lasting measures can I take to significantly and permanently reduce the creaking of the IKEA Hemnes furniture?

It is important to me that no complicated modifications are necessary and that the furniture’s function remains fully intact. I have already considered lubricants but am unsure which material is best suited, especially since it involves wood rubbing against wood.

I would be very grateful for any tips on systematically addressing the causes (e.g., tightening screws, maintaining joints, installing dampers, or similar).
L
LEAH_TAN
25 Jul 2017 09:59
Glad to see so many practical tips here! 🙂

One more personal tip: I added self-adhesive felt pads under the drawers and almost completely eliminated the squeaking.

Don’t get discouraged – small measures can really make a big difference! And if you move or shift the furniture often, regularly check these points and make adjustments if needed!
N
neo59
25 Jul 2017 12:35
Issac_kla2 schrieb:
You would need to address the product quality of Hemnes itself.

That’s an interesting point. The problem is that Hemnes furniture is not made entirely of solid wood, but often uses engineered wood panels, which are more sensitive to stress and tend to creak.

I would also recommend checking whether the furniture is placed on uneven floors, as constant slight movement increases wear and thus creaking. Ensuring a level setup is part of the solution.

Additionally, I wonder what role the screw connections used play in detail. Would it be possible to replace them with stronger or dampened fasteners?
G
George
25 Jul 2017 14:41
Squeaking mainly occurs due to friction. Felt pads and silicone spray are proven remedies. Don’t forget to tighten the screws.
D
Danabla
26 Jul 2017 08:51
neo59 schrieb:
What roles do the screw connections used play in detail? Would it be possible to replace them with more stable or damped fasteners?

The use of damped fasteners is rather limited in IKEA furniture, as the pieces are designed to be modular. One possible alternative is connector bolts, which provide better grip in particleboard.

For damping moving parts, specialized dampers (e.g., soft-close mechanisms) are also recommended for retrofitting, provided the furniture model is compatible.
M
Metaro
26 Jul 2017 10:27
farkin schrieb:
2. Fasten fixings: Tighten all screws with the appropriate tool. Caution: Over-tightening can weaken the panel structure!

Thank you for the detailed instructions! This note about the correct torque is exactly what I needed to know. I suspect I may have tightened too much before, which probably made the creaking worse.
Danabla schrieb:
Do not use oil, as it attracts dust and can impair function.

Also very helpful. I will try silicone spray and cut felt pads myself.

One more question for everyone: Does anyone have experience with whether roughening the contact surfaces before applying the felt pads has any visibly negative effects? My thought is that rough surfaces might increase friction.