Hello everyone,
I’ve been having an annoying issue with my IKEA Billy bookcases for some time now: the doors make a loud creaking noise when opened and closed. The sound clearly seems to come from the hinges or the fittings.
I’ve tried tightening the hinges a bit and adjusting the door, but the creaking persists. Does anyone have experience with how to specifically stop the creaking on Billy bookcase doors? Are there any particular products, lubricants, or tricks that can prevent the noise in the long term?
I would really appreciate any concrete tips, especially if based on personal experience.
I’ve been having an annoying issue with my IKEA Billy bookcases for some time now: the doors make a loud creaking noise when opened and closed. The sound clearly seems to come from the hinges or the fittings.
I’ve tried tightening the hinges a bit and adjusting the door, but the creaking persists. Does anyone have experience with how to specifically stop the creaking on Billy bookcase doors? Are there any particular products, lubricants, or tricks that can prevent the noise in the long term?
I would really appreciate any concrete tips, especially if based on personal experience.
Hello everyone, I would like to provide a detailed guide for anyone looking to eliminate squeaking from Billy doors:
The cracking or squeaking usually occurs in the moving parts of the hinges. It is mostly caused by friction between metal and plastic or within the plastic bushings.
The most effective method:
- Remove the doors from the hinges (usually by gently lifting them up, depending on the model)
- Thoroughly clean the hinges (remove dust and dirt)
- Then apply a suitable lubricant:
* Silicone spray or PTFE spray is ideal because they do not stick or harden over time
* Sprays with oil content (e.g., WD-40) work initially but attract dirt and promote squeaking later
Keep in mind:
- Do not apply too much
- After applying, move the doors several times to distribute the lubricant
- If the hinges are very worn, replacing them may help as wear contributes to noise
I hope this method is helpful to everyone.
The cracking or squeaking usually occurs in the moving parts of the hinges. It is mostly caused by friction between metal and plastic or within the plastic bushings.
The most effective method:
- Remove the doors from the hinges (usually by gently lifting them up, depending on the model)
- Thoroughly clean the hinges (remove dust and dirt)
- Then apply a suitable lubricant:
* Silicone spray or PTFE spray is ideal because they do not stick or harden over time
* Sprays with oil content (e.g., WD-40) work initially but attract dirt and promote squeaking later
Keep in mind:
- Do not apply too much
- After applying, move the doors several times to distribute the lubricant
- If the hinges are very worn, replacing them may help as wear contributes to noise
I hope this method is helpful to everyone.
Deandre schrieb:
Most of the time, it’s material friction between metal and plastic or at the plastic bushings.This also explains why only one of my doors squeaked, the one that is under more strain. Maybe a detailed analysis of which hinges are causing the noise would help, as sometimes it’s just certain components that can be specifically addressed.
Thank you for the tips so far.
One more question: Is there a difference in sustainability between the lubricants used? I want to avoid damaging the plastic parts over time from a spray or having to redo the work after a month.
Does anyone have experience whether silicone spray is better in the long term compared to PTFE spray? Or even special lubricants recommended by IKEA itself?
One more question: Is there a difference in sustainability between the lubricants used? I want to avoid damaging the plastic parts over time from a spray or having to redo the work after a month.
Does anyone have experience whether silicone spray is better in the long term compared to PTFE spray? Or even special lubricants recommended by IKEA itself?
ezrafe schrieb:
Does anyone have experience whether silicone spray is better than PTFE spray in the long run?From my experience, both sprays are generally safe for use on plastics and metals. PTFE (Teflon) provides somewhat better wear and friction protection because it forms a solid lubricating film.
Silicone oil is usually cheaper and easier to apply but sometimes offers only short-term effects, especially under heavy stress.
It is important not to use too much and always apply sparingly to prevent dirt buildup.
I tend to think you shouldn’t underestimate Billy’s sound design. The creaking and crackling as part of the brand identity—that’s missing in many designer shelves. 🙂
But seriously: if you want to know for sure, why not try it out? Start with silicone, and if that doesn’t work, use PTFE. That way, you’ll have comparison values. Innovation before preservation!
But seriously: if you want to know for sure, why not try it out? Start with silicone, and if that doesn’t work, use PTFE. That way, you’ll have comparison values. Innovation before preservation!
ezrafe schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with whether silicone spray is better than PTFE spray in the long run? Or even special lubricants recommended by IKEA?Regarding lubricants recommended by IKEA: I am not aware of any official recommendations. IKEA often refers to simple cleaning for furniture and does not maintain specific lubricants.
In general, PTFE spray is durable, more expensive, but more effective over time as it wears less quickly. Silicone spray, on the other hand, is inexpensive, easy to apply, and increasingly common in households.
If you want to professionally eliminate creaking, it might be worth trying both types, as long as the plastic materials are not damaged. I occasionally get PTFE spray from a bike shop; it lasts quite well.
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