ᐅ IKEA Malm Bed Squeaks When Moving – How to Fix It?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my IKEA Malm bed: Whenever I move on it, an unpleasant squeaking noise occurs. It sounds like individual wooden parts or joints are rubbing against each other. The squeaking doesn’t happen constantly but mainly during certain movements while lying down or getting up. I have already checked the bed, and all the screws seem to be tightened properly.

Has anyone experienced this and knows what might be causing the squeaking? Which specific areas should I inspect? Are there any proven methods or home remedies to eliminate the noise? Maybe it has something to do with the combination of wooden components and metal fittings?

I’m looking forward to tips or suggestions that can help me get the bed quiet again without having to take everything apart.

Thanks in advance!

Hello plonu,

From experience, I can tell you that squeaking in the IKEA Malm bed usually comes from the screw connections. Especially with furniture made of particleboard or MDF with a plastic coating, small movements can cause moisture or dust to settle in the joints, leading to squeaking noises.

I would recommend first checking and tightening all screws and any embedded connectors—but be careful not to overtighten. After that, you can try treating the connection points with a dry lubricant such as silicone spray or wax (e.g., candle wax) to reduce friction.

If you prefer, you can also place felt pads or small spacers at contact points between wood and metal, if any exist. This helps reduce direct friction.

Sometimes the squeaking is caused by the slatted frame or because the bed frame is not completely level—so also check if the bed is on a flat surface and not under unnecessary stress.

If you like, feel free to get in touch for more detailed tips on how to proceed!

Best regards

plonu schrieb:
Whenever I move on it, an unpleasant squeaking occurs. It sounds like individual wooden parts or joints rubbing against each other.

I know that all too well! 🙂

I had exactly the same problem with my Malm bed, and a little trick worked for me: I sprinkled some baby powder into the gaps where wood meets wood. The powder basically acts like a dry lubricant and worked great for me to reduce the squeaking.

It might sound unusual at first, but baby powder is dry, doesn’t crumble, and absorbs moisture, which is often the cause of the noises.

Of course, this is just one of several methods mentioned here, but it doesn’t hurt to try :-)

If that doesn’t work, you could also try placing furniture felt pads underneath— a small effort with great effect.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Kinbu schrieb:
I would recommend first checking all the screws and any recessed connectors again and tightening them

I completely agree and would like to add a bit more detail: Especially with the Malm bed, the screws are located under the top bed panel and at the frame connection points. When you check all the screws, make sure to tighten them evenly to avoid pressure points that can cause squeaking.

Another often overlooked aspect is the slatted bed base: The squeaking can also come from there if it’s not properly seated in the supports or if parts rub against each other. You should check whether the slats fit securely and consider adding fabric or felt protectors at contact points.

As a technical tip: Sometimes applying a small drop of lubricant to the wood-metal joints at the bed frame corners helps, but never use too much – excess oil can cause dirt buildup and make the wood swell.

If you’re comfortable using hand tools, carefully disassembling and reassembling the entire bed can also help. In this case, padding the contact surfaces (for example, with thin foam rubber) can prevent rubbing.

Could you specify exactly where the squeaking is strongest? That would help provide a more precise diagnosis.

Best regards