ᐅ Why is my Malm bed squeaking?

Created on: 1 Jan 2023 08:13
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Senai41
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Senai41
1 Jan 2023 08:13
Hello everyone,

I have had an IKEA Malm bed for some time now, and unfortunately, it squeaks quite loudly when I move or turn over. This is very annoying, and I’m wondering why my Malm bed squeaks at all. Does anyone have experience with this and know what the cause might be? I suspect it could be related to the construction or the joints, but I assembled the bed according to the instructions and have checked all the screws.

Are there common causes for squeaking specifically with this model, and how can it be fixed as permanently as possible?

Thanks in advance for your advice!
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Saramar
1 Jan 2023 08:26
Most of the time, a bed squeaks when the screws are not tightened enough or the wood is rubbing together. Simply retighten all the screws and check if the problem goes away.
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BOSULE
1 Jan 2023 09:10
The squeaking in a loft bed often occurs because the joints between the side and foot panels become loose or the wood slightly shifts. I recommend systematically checking the screws and, if necessary, using Teflon tape or felt pads at friction points to reduce noise. Also, check whether the slatted frame is positioned correctly and stable, as it can also be a source of noise.
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Nabla64
1 Jan 2023 11:48
Hello Senai41,

I can gladly explain step by step what typically causes squeaking in your Malm bed and what you can do about it.

1. Check screws: Even if you have already inspected all screws, tighten them again properly, as they can loosen over time due to stress.

2. Wood joints: The Malm bed is made of MDF panels, which can slightly expand and contract over time. This causes friction at the joints – felt or rubber pads placed between the connections can help here.

3. Slatted frame: A loose or poorly mounted slatted frame is often the cause. Check if it is properly positioned and if there is no movement at the edges.

4. Casters or feet: Sometimes the bed legs squeak against the floor, especially on hard floors. Felt pads can help in this case.

In summary: the squeaking is usually caused by mechanical friction between wood and screw connections or at the slatted frame supports. Retightening and isolating with felt are very effective.

If you like, I can also provide more detailed tips on how to attach the padding.

Best regards!
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Senai41
1 Jan 2023 12:05
Nabla64 schrieb:
The Malm bed is made from MDF panels, which can slightly expand or contract over time.

I hadn’t considered that MDF could react like that structurally. Have you noticed how much this affects the squeaking?
BOSULE schrieb:
Use Teflon tape or felt pads on friction points to reduce noise.

Are there specific spots that are particularly prone to friction? I don’t want to cut corners in the wrong place and just shift the problem elsewhere.
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TEOZAR
1 Jan 2023 13:37
Hello Senai41,

I understand your frustration – a squeaky bed can really disrupt your sleep. The issue with the Malm bed, as Nabla64 already mentioned, often lies in the wooden connectors and the slatted frame.

To approach this systematically:
- First, loosen all screws and connectors, then reassemble the joints using a bit of wood glue.
- After that, tighten everything firmly again.
- For the slatted frame, check whether the suspension straps are intact and not slipping.

Sometimes, simply lubricating the screws with some wax or silicone spray is enough to reduce the noise.

For very persistent squeaks, applying self-adhesive felt strips to the contact points between the side panels and footboard is recommended – this significantly reduces friction.

Good luck with it and good night!