ᐅ The IKEA Malm bed creaks noticeably – what could be the causes?

I recently bought an IKEA Malm bed and noticed during assembly that it squeaks a lot as soon as you lie down on the mattress or move around. Does anyone have experience with this or know the specific causes? I suspect it could be related to the design of the slatted bed base or the connections between wood and metal, but I would appreciate any opinions or tips on how to fix it. Are there common weak points to check in order to reduce or eliminate the squeaking permanently?

It’s great that you bring up this topic! 🙂 I had the same issue with my Malm bed and was really annoyed by the squeaking. Most of the time, it’s caused by loose screws or insufficient fastening of the parts. I retightened all the screws and applied a bit of furniture wax at the joints – since then, it’s been silent! 🙂 Give it a try; it often works wonders!

golekau schrieb:
Most of the time, it’s due to screws being too loose or insufficient fastening of the individual parts.

Absolutely, and this can happen quite quickly, especially if the bed is moved frequently or reassembled.

Sometimes, though, it’s minor wear on the wooden components that causes noise when moving. Adding a bit of cork or felt at the contact points can work wonders if tightening isn’t enough. 👍 But of course, you need to be sure beforehand that nothing is cracked or loose.

For clarification: The IKEA Malm bed is a classic furniture frame made from chipboard with a coating, assembled using wood and metal screws. Squeaking usually occurs due to friction between wood and metal or slightly misaligned joints.

Tips for identifying the cause:
- Check all screws and connections to ensure they are tight.
- Inspect the bed slat support and verify that it is properly positioned.
- Lubricate contact points with paraffin or silicone oil, avoiding oils based on vegetable oils.

These measures reduce friction and increase stability. Often, no complex repair is necessary.

gadalu schrieb:
Squeaking usually occurs due to friction between wood and metal or slightly misaligned joints.

Thank you for the precise explanation! I am particularly interested in how to effectively identify friction when the squeaking only occurs sporadically – for example, only when twisting sideways or standing up.

Is there a systematic method to pinpoint the noise exactly at the right spot? Also, I am wondering if replacing parts (e.g., using solid wood instead of particleboard) in IKEA models is common or advisable?

Lisleo schrieb:
Is there a systematic method to precisely locate the noise at the right spot?

Yes, a structured approach is essential here. You should systematically loosen one connection at a time (e.g., loosen a screw), check if the noise changes, and then tighten it again. This way, you can gradually narrow down the cause.

To be replaced: Converting from particleboard to solid wood is not officially recommended by IKEA, as it can alter the structural integrity and void the warranty. It is better to optimize the existing connections, for example, by using stronger screws or reinforcing the material at critical points.

Another point: The load, such as weight and frequency of movement, can influence the squeaking; so user behavior should also be considered.