Hello everyone,
I have noticed that the usual hinges on my Billy shelf have become quite noisy over time – they squeak despite repeatedly applying different lubricants. I have tried both silicone-based spray and sewing machine oil, even WD-40 briefly, but the squeaking remains.
My suspicion is that dirt or deposits might be hiding inside the hinge, or that the type of hinges from IKEA are particularly prone to this, but that seems unlikely since they are basically quite simple in design.
Does anyone have experience with exactly this issue? Which lubricants or maintenance methods have worked well for you to eliminate the squeaking permanently? Is it sometimes only possible by removing, cleaning, or even replacing the hinges?
Thanks in advance for detailed tips and possible causes.
I have noticed that the usual hinges on my Billy shelf have become quite noisy over time – they squeak despite repeatedly applying different lubricants. I have tried both silicone-based spray and sewing machine oil, even WD-40 briefly, but the squeaking remains.
My suspicion is that dirt or deposits might be hiding inside the hinge, or that the type of hinges from IKEA are particularly prone to this, but that seems unlikely since they are basically quite simple in design.
Does anyone have experience with exactly this issue? Which lubricants or maintenance methods have worked well for you to eliminate the squeaking permanently? Is it sometimes only possible by removing, cleaning, or even replacing the hinges?
Thanks in advance for detailed tips and possible causes.
Hello trako31,
First of all, thank you for the detailed description of your problem with the Billy shelf hinges; that is already half the battle towards finding a solution.
I have often dealt with squeaking hinges in furniture, especially with IKEA cabinets. If you have already tried several lubricants, it might be worth fully removing and disassembling the hinges. Sometimes dust, textile fibers, or even light rust layers build up inside the moving parts, which cannot be reached by superficial lubrication.
Here is my suggested procedure:
1. Remove the hinge by unscrewing the screws completely if possible.
2. Clean it with isopropanol or another grease- and oil-dissolving cleaner to remove old lubricant residues and contaminants.
3. Let it dry thoroughly.
4. For lubrication, very thin machine oils (e.g., sewing machine oil) can penetrate better than thick greases or silicone sprays, which might trap dirt instead.
5. After lubricating, reassemble the hinge and test it.
It is important to find the right lubricant, since WD-40 is actually a solvent and can help temporarily but is not a long-term lubricant. Also, thick lubricant layers on the surface can attract dirt magnetically.
Another possible cause is that individual spring or metal parts inside are worn or broken—in that case, only replacement will help.
My question to you: Have the hinges been squeaking from the start, or did this develop after some time of continuous use? Is the shelf located in a particularly humid area, or is there a heater running nearby that might be causing dust?
I hope this helps you! 🙂
First of all, thank you for the detailed description of your problem with the Billy shelf hinges; that is already half the battle towards finding a solution.
I have often dealt with squeaking hinges in furniture, especially with IKEA cabinets. If you have already tried several lubricants, it might be worth fully removing and disassembling the hinges. Sometimes dust, textile fibers, or even light rust layers build up inside the moving parts, which cannot be reached by superficial lubrication.
Here is my suggested procedure:
1. Remove the hinge by unscrewing the screws completely if possible.
2. Clean it with isopropanol or another grease- and oil-dissolving cleaner to remove old lubricant residues and contaminants.
3. Let it dry thoroughly.
4. For lubrication, very thin machine oils (e.g., sewing machine oil) can penetrate better than thick greases or silicone sprays, which might trap dirt instead.
5. After lubricating, reassemble the hinge and test it.
It is important to find the right lubricant, since WD-40 is actually a solvent and can help temporarily but is not a long-term lubricant. Also, thick lubricant layers on the surface can attract dirt magnetically.
Another possible cause is that individual spring or metal parts inside are worn or broken—in that case, only replacement will help.
My question to you: Have the hinges been squeaking from the start, or did this develop after some time of continuous use? Is the shelf located in a particularly humid area, or is there a heater running nearby that might be causing dust?
I hope this helps you! 🙂
W
warrenka576 May 2024 07:42Palenar schrieb:
If you’ve already tried several lubricants, it’s worth completely removing and disassembling the hinges.I can totally relate; such noises at home can be really annoying sometimes. I always felt uncomfortable thinking I might have to break something to get the shelves quiet again. But the advice to remove and thoroughly clean the hinges really helps.
I had a similar experience with my hinges – you really have to be patient until the squeaking stops. Even pressure marks or slightly bent parts can cause the noise to persist at first.
Important: Don’t get discouraged, sometimes it’s just normal for older furniture to make slight sounds, especially when humidity levels fluctuate significantly.
How is your shelf otherwise, is everything stable or does it wobble? If it wobbles, there might be a different cause behind it that is amplifying the noise.
I believe many people immediately start fiddling with hinges at the first sign of slight squeaking, even though the hinge is often just a symptom.
Such assumptions are usually convenient but often overlook the real cause: material stress, wood warping, or even manufacturing defects. Ikea furniture is affordable, yes – but that doesn’t mean the noise can always be fixed simply by applying lubrication.
Sometimes it’s worth looking beyond the hinge itself and taking a more critical look at the entire construction around it. For example, squeaking can result from the wood gently rubbing against the hinge plate.
Of course, it’s nice to believe in lubricants, but not everything can be resolved by lubrication alone. Just a thought... 😉
trako31 schrieb:
...that dirt or deposits might be hiding inside the hinge...
Such assumptions are usually convenient but often overlook the real cause: material stress, wood warping, or even manufacturing defects. Ikea furniture is affordable, yes – but that doesn’t mean the noise can always be fixed simply by applying lubrication.
Sometimes it’s worth looking beyond the hinge itself and taking a more critical look at the entire construction around it. For example, squeaking can result from the wood gently rubbing against the hinge plate.
Of course, it’s nice to believe in lubricants, but not everything can be resolved by lubrication alone. Just a thought... 😉
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