Hello everyone,
I have an IKEA Malm bed (160x200cm (63x79 inches)) that unfortunately squeaks quite a lot as soon as you move. This is especially annoying in the evening when it’s quieter. Specifically, the noise seems to come from the connection between the bed frame and the slatted frame, or from the frame itself. I have already checked and tightened the screws, but the squeaking remains.
My question to experienced Malm owners or furniture experts here is: What options are there to specifically reduce the squeaking? I am thinking of solutions like special pads, lubricants, or even alternatives that can be placed between the frame and the slatted frame. Maybe someone also knows mechanical solutions that effectively cut down on the noise at exactly this connection?
I would appreciate tips that not only work in the short term but also do not compromise the bed’s support and stability. Thanks in advance!
I have an IKEA Malm bed (160x200cm (63x79 inches)) that unfortunately squeaks quite a lot as soon as you move. This is especially annoying in the evening when it’s quieter. Specifically, the noise seems to come from the connection between the bed frame and the slatted frame, or from the frame itself. I have already checked and tightened the screws, but the squeaking remains.
My question to experienced Malm owners or furniture experts here is: What options are there to specifically reduce the squeaking? I am thinking of solutions like special pads, lubricants, or even alternatives that can be placed between the frame and the slatted frame. Maybe someone also knows mechanical solutions that effectively cut down on the noise at exactly this connection?
I would appreciate tips that not only work in the short term but also do not compromise the bed’s support and stability. Thanks in advance!
Hello Gekula,
Great that you described the problem so clearly. The squeaking Malm bed is unfortunately a common issue, often caused by slight movements between the wooden parts or between the frame and the slatted base. Here is a structured approach that might help you:
1. Check the screws again: Don’t tighten them too much, as this can cause the wood to crack. Loosen the screws, apply some wood glue to the threads – this stabilizes the joint and reduces play.
2. Dampening movement: You can stick felt pads or thin felt strips between the bed frame and the slatted base. This effectively reduces mechanical friction.
3. Lubricants: Teflon spray or a special furniture wax can help. But please avoid WD-40, as it dries out the wood and can be slippery.
4. Lightly sand the wooden surfaces at the headboard and footboard joints with fine sandpaper and apply wood oil. This can relieve typical wood tensions.
5. If none of that works, you can find metal brackets or additional fittings at hardware stores to reinforce the connections.
Summary: Slightly retightening screws, using felt as a buffer, and targeted lubrication usually help a lot. If the slatted base fits too loosely, please check carefully and, if needed, secure it with wedges.
I hope this helps you make progress.
Great that you described the problem so clearly. The squeaking Malm bed is unfortunately a common issue, often caused by slight movements between the wooden parts or between the frame and the slatted base. Here is a structured approach that might help you:
1. Check the screws again: Don’t tighten them too much, as this can cause the wood to crack. Loosen the screws, apply some wood glue to the threads – this stabilizes the joint and reduces play.
2. Dampening movement: You can stick felt pads or thin felt strips between the bed frame and the slatted base. This effectively reduces mechanical friction.
3. Lubricants: Teflon spray or a special furniture wax can help. But please avoid WD-40, as it dries out the wood and can be slippery.
4. Lightly sand the wooden surfaces at the headboard and footboard joints with fine sandpaper and apply wood oil. This can relieve typical wood tensions.
5. If none of that works, you can find metal brackets or additional fittings at hardware stores to reinforce the connections.
Summary: Slightly retightening screws, using felt as a buffer, and targeted lubrication usually help a lot. If the slatted base fits too loosely, please check carefully and, if needed, secure it with wedges.
I hope this helps you make progress.
Hello Gekula,
I would like to add a few technical details that are often overlooked but can be quite important:
First of all: The IKEA Malm bed frame is made from particleboard with a thin veneer layer. This material is sensitive to moisture and temperature changes, which can cause slight movements in the glued joints. This increases creaking, especially at night when the humidity drops.
Back to the creaking at the connection between the slatted frame and the bed frame: In my experience, it often results from micro-movements between the slatted frame’s wooden frame and the supports in the bed base.
My suggestion:
- Check if the slatted frame rests exactly on the support. If there are only point contacts, increase the contact area with thin foam rubber strips fixed in place with double-sided tape.
- This will not only dampen noise but also better distribute the pressure.
Felt works well, but foam rubber does not absorb moisture and remains elastic, which further reduces friction and works better in the long run.
Additionally, a dry wood lubricant designed specifically for particleboard can help, for example, paraffin-based furniture wax. This can be applied with a soft cloth, and any excess should be carefully removed.
Do you have a slatted frame with a metal frame? If yes, the paint there might have scratches, and in that case, a rubber or felt pad can also help.
If you like, you can describe the type of your slatted frame and the contact points in more detail, and I can give you more specific advice.
Best regards
I would like to add a few technical details that are often overlooked but can be quite important:
First of all: The IKEA Malm bed frame is made from particleboard with a thin veneer layer. This material is sensitive to moisture and temperature changes, which can cause slight movements in the glued joints. This increases creaking, especially at night when the humidity drops.
Back to the creaking at the connection between the slatted frame and the bed frame: In my experience, it often results from micro-movements between the slatted frame’s wooden frame and the supports in the bed base.
My suggestion:
- Check if the slatted frame rests exactly on the support. If there are only point contacts, increase the contact area with thin foam rubber strips fixed in place with double-sided tape.
- This will not only dampen noise but also better distribute the pressure.
fredle schrieb:
You can stick felt pads or thin felt strips between the bed frame and the slatted frame.
Felt works well, but foam rubber does not absorb moisture and remains elastic, which further reduces friction and works better in the long run.
Additionally, a dry wood lubricant designed specifically for particleboard can help, for example, paraffin-based furniture wax. This can be applied with a soft cloth, and any excess should be carefully removed.
Do you have a slatted frame with a metal frame? If yes, the paint there might have scratches, and in that case, a rubber or felt pad can also help.
If you like, you can describe the type of your slatted frame and the contact points in more detail, and I can give you more specific advice.
Best regards
Filippo schrieb:
If there are only point contacts, increase the contact area with thin foam rubber strips,I can only confirm that. I had a very similar problem and placed foam rubber strips between the slatted frame and the bed frame. Since then, the squeaking has completely stopped. It is important that the strips are neither too thick nor too soft to maintain the stability of the bed.
Additionally, I want to add that I used a small amount of wax at the screw points – no lubricating oil, as that often only helps temporarily and attracts dirt.
If you don’t have foam rubber strips, felt strips work as well; they are usually cheaper and easy to find at hardware stores. Just cut them to size and stick them to the rubbing points.
Good luck with dampening the noise; squeaking in Malm beds is unfortunately common but can be easily managed with simple measures.
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