Hello everyone, I have some Malm furniture from IKEA, and recently the joints have started to squeak. This mostly happens when the furniture is moved or under load. I’m interested to know which methods have proven effective in reliably eliminating these squeaks without damaging the furniture or affecting the material. I assume the issue is with the screw connections or the fittings themselves, but what exactly should be considered? Are there specific lubricants that are safe to use, or better alternatives to something like WD-40, especially regarding wood and veneer? Perhaps someone also has experience with preventing these noises in Malm furniture? Thanks for your advice!
The cause of squeaking furniture joints, such as those in Malm furniture, is often moving parts rubbing against each other, usually at screw connections or small hinges.
First, all screws should be checked and, if necessary, gently tightened, as some looseness can cause movement and thus noise. However, overtightening should be avoided to prevent damaging the wood.
Regarding lubricants: Although WD-40 is a common spray, it is not ideal for wooden joints because it can alter the surface differently than intended and can become sticky over time. Dry lubricants like silicone spray or graphite powder are better options, as they stay clean in the long term and do not darken or damage the wood.
For furniture with wooden joints, natural solutions such as beeswax are also suitable. This reduces friction while simultaneously protecting the wood. It is important to apply lubricants very sparingly and only to the contact points. Another option is to use small felt or fabric pads to reduce direct friction.
First, all screws should be checked and, if necessary, gently tightened, as some looseness can cause movement and thus noise. However, overtightening should be avoided to prevent damaging the wood.
Regarding lubricants: Although WD-40 is a common spray, it is not ideal for wooden joints because it can alter the surface differently than intended and can become sticky over time. Dry lubricants like silicone spray or graphite powder are better options, as they stay clean in the long term and do not darken or damage the wood.
For furniture with wooden joints, natural solutions such as beeswax are also suitable. This reduces friction while simultaneously protecting the wood. It is important to apply lubricants very sparingly and only to the contact points. Another option is to use small felt or fabric pads to reduce direct friction.
Thank you for the good question, Koreo. I would like to address this topic in more detail from a fundamental perspective, as there are often misunderstandings about the appropriate methods.
This is a typical sign that the material and the joint no longer work together completely rigidly. Such squeaks are caused by friction between wood, metal, and possibly plastic parts at the connection points.
To effectively address these noises, it helps to understand the swelling and shrinking behavior of wood: wood can shrink or swell slightly due to moisture, which affects the fit of the components.
Before applying lubricants, it is advisable to store the furniture in a dry and stable environment and minimize unnecessary movement. Afterwards, the screws should be tightened, as Gino38 has aptly explained.
Regarding lubricants, I would add the following tips in addition to silicone spray:
- Avoid oily or greasy substances that attract dirt.
- Graphite is particularly suitable because it is dry and does not leave stains.
- For wooden joints, a soft wax, such as furniture wax, can also be very helpful.
If the furniture is heavily loaded, sometimes attaching a thin felt pad at the contact points helps to prevent direct wood-to-wood contact.
One practical experience: after applying lubricants, moving the furniture and opening or closing parts (like drawers) several times helps to distribute the lubricant well, and the noise usually disappears permanently.
Koreo schrieb:
It mainly happens when moving or loading the furniture.
This is a typical sign that the material and the joint no longer work together completely rigidly. Such squeaks are caused by friction between wood, metal, and possibly plastic parts at the connection points.
To effectively address these noises, it helps to understand the swelling and shrinking behavior of wood: wood can shrink or swell slightly due to moisture, which affects the fit of the components.
Before applying lubricants, it is advisable to store the furniture in a dry and stable environment and minimize unnecessary movement. Afterwards, the screws should be tightened, as Gino38 has aptly explained.
Regarding lubricants, I would add the following tips in addition to silicone spray:
- Avoid oily or greasy substances that attract dirt.
- Graphite is particularly suitable because it is dry and does not leave stains.
- For wooden joints, a soft wax, such as furniture wax, can also be very helpful.
If the furniture is heavily loaded, sometimes attaching a thin felt pad at the contact points helps to prevent direct wood-to-wood contact.
One practical experience: after applying lubricants, moving the furniture and opening or closing parts (like drawers) several times helps to distribute the lubricant well, and the noise usually disappears permanently.
Gino38 schrieb:
First, you should check all the screws and tighten them slightly if necessary. Definitely, that has the biggest impact.
Ethan schrieb:
Do not use oily or greasy substances. I fully agree.
My tip: use graphite powder and apply it to the joints; that will stop any squeaking noises. Done.
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