ᐅ Malm bed squeaks despite replacement parts – what to do now?

Hello everyone,

A few weeks ago, I bought a Malm bed from Ikea, and it started squeaking shortly after. Not wanting to give up easily, I ordered the recommended replacement parts—including foam strips for the slatted bed base and new screws. However, the bed still makes annoying noises, especially when turning over or sitting down.

I’ve already tried tightening all the screws several times and realigning the slatted base, but the issue persists. In my opinion, the sounds seem to come from the joint between the bed frame and the individual slats.

Has anyone experienced something similar? What additional steps could be taken if replacing the parts doesn’t solve the problem? I would appreciate any tips, as otherwise I can’t get a comfortable sleep on the bed.

Hello draklo42,
first, check if wood is rubbing against wood. Often, treating the joints with some wax or a solid lubricant helps. Tighten the screws again properly, but not too tight.

The persistent noise level despite replacement parts suggests that the issue is not limited to the usual wear points.

I recommend:
1. Check whether the slatted bed bases fit precisely within the frame and do not have any looseness that could cause squeaking.
2. Inspect all connection points between the bed frame, headboard, and slatted base for any slight movement.
3. Use felt pads if necessary to dampen contact areas.

It is important to systematically check all contact points, as squeaking often results from very minor friction.

draklo42 schrieb:
The bed still creaks annoyingly, especially when turning over or sitting down.

That really sounds frustrating! You expect a new bed to be quiet and comfortable. I’ve also had a bed creak loudly and collapse under me before – in that case, it was due to a side panel that was too loose.

Perhaps you’ve already considered completely disassembling the bed and thoroughly checking all the joints for cleanliness and tightness? Even minor damage to the wood or tiny uneven spots can cause such noises. Keep your spirits up; it will surely get better!

In addition to the previous tips: Be sure to check that the battens are properly and fully supported on the support strips. Sometimes squeaking occurs when battens are only partially resting on them, causing movement.

Oh, that really sounds annoying! But keep your spirits up, there’s surely a solution! 🙂

I also once had a squeaky bed, and what helped me was applying a bit of PTFE tape (Teflon tape) to the contact points. That prevented the rubbing noise for me. Give it a try—it’s very easy and costs almost nothing! Good luck!