ᐅ Why does my MALM nightstand squeak every time I touch it?

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I bought a MALM nightstand from IKEA, and I noticed that it squeaks loudly whenever it is touched. This happens even with very slight movements, for example when I gently move the top of the cabinet or operate the drawer.

It’s not creaking noises, but a sharp squeak that is quite disturbing, especially at night in the bedroom.

My first thought was that a component might not be seated properly, or perhaps a wood-glue joint is causing the noise, but I’m not sure if I’m on the right track.

Has anyone here had experience with a squeaking MALM nightstand? What could be the causes, and how could this problem be effectively fixed?

I would really appreciate some tips, including advice on common trouble spots or tools I could use for diagnosis or repair.

Dujan6 schrieb:
This even happens with very light movements

Hey! That sounds really annoying, especially when you just want to relax in the evening and end up experiencing a concert every time 🙂

With MALM nightstands, squeaking is indeed a common issue because the design uses a lot of particleboard and relatively simple hinges. These tend to squeak when they are dry or when the connection between wood and metal isn’t quite right anymore.

Usually, applying a silicone spray or a special lubricant to the hinges and all moving parts helps. But be careful: use only a small amount, otherwise it will attract dust. Sometimes it also makes sense to tighten the hinge screws, as loose screws can cause unpleasant friction and noises.

It’s also important to check if the panel is sitting completely flat—sometimes even a slight warping or misalignment causes squeaking. When you pull out the drawer, you can check if any wooden parts are touching that shouldn’t be.

If you have other MALM furniture pieces, it’s worth inspecting those as well, as similar issues can often indicate minor design flaws.

Dujan6 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with a squeaky MALM nightstand?

Hello,

I would like to break down your situation systematically and provide you with as comprehensive guidance as possible, in case that is helpful.

Squeaking often occurs due to friction that is not prevented by lubricants. In particleboard furniture like MALM, edges and joints are particularly affected.

1. First, check the hinges: If they are screwed in, inspect the screws and tighten them if needed.

2. Also examine all other moving parts – drawer slides, any possible rollers, or runners.

3. A common remedy for wood and furniture noises is a dry silicone spray (not oil or grease, as those attract dirt!). You can apply this sparingly to small moving parts.

4. If the nightstand consists of multiple components, check the joints for moisture or slight deformations that might increase friction over time.

5. A small tip: Sometimes lightly sanding the contact surfaces with very fine sandpaper helps – this allows the parts to glide more smoothly. Be careful when doing this!

I hope this helps you for now. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

loken schrieb:
Usually, it helps to treat the hinges and all moving parts with a silicone spray or a special lubricant

That is definitely the right approach. I would add that MALM nightstands often have drawer slides made from particleboard, which can slightly expand or contract with moisture or temperature changes, causing extra noise.

If the squeaking happens specifically when moving the drawer, it might also be worth cleaning and lightly lubricating the metal runners (if present). Please use a suitable lubricant for metal—do not use silicone for this!

Elsewhere, the connection between the frame and the top or side panels may be affected. These joints are often held together with dowels and some wood glue. Over time, these can loosen slightly and the squeaking is caused by minimal movement.

In such cases, you should check the screws but also ensure that the unit is not warping. This is especially true if the table isn’t sitting level or the weight is unevenly distributed.

In short: approach troubleshooting systematically by checking all moving and screwed joints, lubricating lightly, and stabilizing if needed. This usually eliminates the squeaking.