ᐅ Why does my BILLY shelf squeak when I open it, and how can I fix it?

Hello everyone,

I recently got a Billy shelving unit from IKEA, which is basically great, but there is one annoying issue: the doors make a loud squeaking noise when opening. I don’t mean when closing, but specifically when opening the doors. The sound seems like metal or plastic rubbing together and is honestly quite unpleasant.

I have already checked if any screws are loose and didn’t find any major irregularities. Maybe it’s due to the hinges or pivot points?

Does anyone have experience with why the BILLY shelf squeaks when opening the doors and, most importantly, how I can fix this issue without much effort? Is there a recommended maintenance or lubricant to use? I want to prevent the noise from causing long-term damage to the materials.

Thanks in advance for serious and practical advice!

Squeaking usually occurs due to friction on the hinges. Simply unscrew the hinges, apply some silicone spray, and reattach them. Do not use oil, as it attracts dust.

Hello amargi36,

if it’s the BILLY shelf with doors, the squeaking usually comes from the hinges or their fittings. Sometimes it helps to completely remove the doors and clean the hinges thoroughly – dust or small particles can cause this.

Alternatively, I recommend a special lubricant for furniture fittings, such as silicone spray, which is not sticky. Just spray a little on, open and close the doors several times until the squeaking stops.

Avoid WD-40 or other oil-based products, as they can cause the hinges to stick in the long run.

If you like, I can provide you with a step-by-step guide.

Interesting that the squeaking when opening is annoying, yet no one talks about the impractical design of some shelves. IKEA tends to focus more on quantity than quality, and the squeaking could almost be seen as an intentional feature to force you to read the instruction manual. 😉

EDWARD0 schrieb:
Don’t use oil, it attracts dust.

But seriously, who doesn’t use household oils when nothing else is available? And does a shelf really need special spray, or is just a dab of household maintenance oil enough?

I’m curious if it’s somehow chip-controlled, judging by how loud it can be... Joking aside, I think most of these types of furniture are simply designed to wear out over time.

TRADI schrieb:
Avoid WD-40 or other oil-based products because they can cause the hinges to stick in the long run.

Thank you! That’s a very important tip. I actually wanted to avoid WD-40 because I had read that it attracts dust and can make the hinges dirty.

If silicone spray works, I might give that a try.

GALEO4 schrieb:
Does a shelf really need a special spray, or would a bit of general household oil be enough?

I’ve wondered the same – it would be helpful if someone with experience could say whether different products cause wear or not.

Also: how often do you need to lubricate something like this? Just once or regularly?

One more quick question about the screw: Is there a particular point on this type of hinge that I should check to make sure it’s firmly tightened? It could be that a screw is slightly loose and that’s causing the squeaking.

Explanation: The squeaking in BILLY doors usually occurs due to insufficient lubrication of the hinge joints, and sometimes from slight misalignment of the doors, which causes increased friction.

1. Check the screws and tighten them if necessary. Loose fastenings can lead to shifting and noises.
2. Clean the hinges from dust or particles using a dry cloth or compressed air.
3. Use a silicone-based spray: This is non-sticky, does not attract dust, and is suitable for both plastic and metal hinges.

amargi36 schrieb:
How often do you need to re-lubricate something like this?

That depends on usage and environment. In households without high humidity or dust exposure, lubrication is often sufficient for 1-2 years.

amargi36 schrieb:
Is there a specific point on this hinge type I should check for firmness?

Yes, check both screws on the hinge – those attached to the door and those on the cabinet frame. Even slight loosening can cause noise.