ᐅ The Malm bed squeaks at the foot area – how can I fix this?

Hello everyone,

I have had a Malm bed from IKEA for some time now, and the foot area squeaks whenever I move or sit down on the bed. The squeaking is quite annoying and sometimes very loud, even though the bed still feels stable overall.

I’ve already tried tightening the screws, but without much success – the squeaking noise remains.

My guess is that some joints or the wooden slats might be rubbing against each other or are loose somewhere.

Do you have any experience with how to specifically fix squeaking noises on a Malm bed? Are there particular techniques, tools, or materials (such as lubricants) you would recommend that wouldn’t require taking the bed apart completely and reassembling it?

I would really appreciate any concrete tips, as I use the bed daily and the noise is quite bothersome.

First, take a close look at the metal connectors and screws at the base. They usually squeak if they are not tightened enough or have some play. Retighten the screws and, if necessary, apply some assembly paste or graphite powder.

Squeaking is often caused by wood rubbing against wood or wood against metal. Try rubbing wax or candle wax on the areas where the parts meet. This often reduces the noise.

The common issue with Malm beds is that although the visible screws are tight, the internal joints—especially at the side panels and feet—can loosen slightly or develop small gaps.
A step-by-step approach I recommend:

1. Completely disassemble the bed, at least remove the foot parts.
2. Reinsert all screws; sometimes lightly sanding the holes helps to prevent squeaking.
3. Apply wood glue to the joints, which can permanently reduce noises.
4. For wood-to-metal connections, you can use silicone or PTFE spray (not oil, as it attracts dust) on critical spots.

Please pay special attention to the cross braces in the foot area, as these are often the source of scraping noises. Feel free to specify what exact material the feet are made of, so I can provide more targeted advice.

Gafiel schrieb:
The problem with Malm beds is often that while the visible screws are tight, the internal joints—especially at the side panels and legs—can loosen slightly or develop small gaps.

That probably describes my situation as well. I noticed when looking closely that the wooden slats attached to the foot sections have some play. I will check the cross supports as well.

What exactly do you mean about using sandpaper on the holes? Should the holes be slightly enlarged to redistribute the pressure? And which wood glue would you recommend? I have bookbinding glue, but I’m not sure if it’s suitable for this purpose.

Minsan schrieb:
What exactly do you mean about using sandpaper on the holes?

I don’t mean that you should enlarge the holes. The trick is that sometimes rough wood fibers or slight irregularities inside the hole cause the screw not to sit properly, which can lead to squeaking. Just take fine sandpaper (grit 180 to 220) and gently smooth the inside of the hole a bit—don’t sand it out completely.

Minsan schrieb:
And which wood glue would you recommend?

A standard D3 or D4 PU wood glue works best; these are very strong adhesives and waterproof. It’s important to apply a thin layer of glue to the contact surfaces before assembly.

However, be aware that glued joints can be difficult to disassemble later, so this is more suitable for a long-lasting repair when you want the connections to be really stable.