ᐅ Why does the MALM bed only creak in certain spots?

Hello everyone,

I have a question about the IKEA Malm bed. It only creaks in certain spots, not all around the frame. Specifically, the annoying creaking happens only occasionally when I sit or move in particular areas of the bed – sometimes near the headboard, sometimes on the side in the middle.

I assembled the bed myself and all screws are tightened, yet the noise still occurs sporadically, not continuously.

My question is: Why does a Malm bed creak only in some places? Are there common reasons known for these models? And is there a specific method to fix it without having to take the whole bed apart?

Thanks in advance for your insights and experiences!

The squeaking is usually caused by loose screws or slight rubbing of wood against wood. Check the screws at the squeaking points carefully and tighten them.

The occasional noise from MALM beds is often caused by slight movement play at the joints, especially since MDF and particleboard expand or contract differently depending on humidity.

Due to uneven stress on certain areas, the squeaking intensifies locally. Carefully readjusting the screws while considering the load can often resolve the issue.

Great that the bed doesn’t annoy you completely, just squeaks at a few hotspots ;-)

This is actually quite normal for furniture made from particleboard. The creaking just wants its moment, but often a simple screw adjustment is enough to fix it, and then it’s quiet! 🙂

Sometimes a tiny amount of wax or silicone spray can help too, if you don’t feel like taking it apart completely.

Also check whether the slatted frame and bed frame fit together properly. Sometimes the slats rub against the sides and cause noises that seem to occur "at certain points."

A brief technical background:

1. The MALM bed is made from coated engineered wood. The joints are supported partly by metal fasteners and partly by wooden slats.

2. Squeaking noises often result from friction at the connection points, especially if screws are not fully tightened or move slightly.

3. Since the bed is loaded at specific points (for example, when standing only at the foot end), increased forces act on certain areas.

4. My advice: Loosen the screws near the noise source, clean the connection at least of dust, check the fit, and then retighten the screws firmly. If necessary, insert thin felt or plastic washers at tight wooden joints to reduce friction.

Summary: Localized squeaking usually comes from limited movement in the joint – fix it where it creaks.