ᐅ The Malm bed only squeaks when weight is applied. What could be the cause?

I have a Malm bed from IKEA that I like, but I have a problem: the bed only squeaks under load, meaning when I sit on it or move around in bed, there is an unpleasant squeaking sound. However, it is not constant, only when pressure or weight is applied to the bed. My question is: what causes this typical squeaking on a Malm bed that only occurs under load? Could it be related to the construction, screws, or the materials used? And are there simple ways to fix this without having to take the entire bed apart? I have already looked into it a bit and suspect it might be due to the connection between the slatted frame and the bed frame, but I’m not sure.

The squeaking usually comes from loose screws or wood friction. Tightening the screws and, if necessary, treating the contact points with a bit of wax or soap often helps.

Squeaking under load is a common issue with wooden furniture, especially beds made from veneer wood or particleboard, such as the Malm bed. The cause is usually mechanical friction between individual components that move when stressed. Typical spots include screw connections and the contact between the slatted frame and the bed frame.

A practical approach to fix this is:

1. Check all screws and carefully tighten them.
2. Treat contact points, such as wood-to-wood or metal connections, with a suitable lubricant (e.g., paraffin wax or silicone spray).
3. Ensure the slatted frame fits securely and does not shift.

Disassembling is usually not absolutely necessary but can be helpful if the steps above are not sufficient.

If the squeaking only occurs under pressure, it is often due to too much play in the joints. Tightening screws, or adding rubber buffers or felt pads to the contact surfaces can help. This reduces friction.

Interesting that it only squeaks under load. This shows that the cause really only occurs when there is movement. In my opinion, it is more of a design flaw with the Malm. These inexpensive beds are not designed for continuous loads without noise. One should not expect too much. I’m surprised no one has mentioned the material quality. Chipboard sometimes squeaks, and no lubricant will help in the long run.

likuken schrieb:
In my opinion, it’s more of a structural flaw with the Malm.

That might be one way to look at it, but in fact, squeaking in wooden furniture is a physical issue of friction and movement, not necessarily a design flaw.

A well-designed bed can still squeak if screws are loose or the slatted frame isn’t properly secured.

Nasian schrieb:
Could it be related to the construction, screws, or the material?

All the factors you mentioned affect squeaking. I recommend a systematic approach: tighten the screws, lightly oil the joints, then test again. With particleboard, the material is often not ideal, so that’s something to keep in mind.