ᐅ IKEA MALM Bed Squeaks When Sitting – Any Tips?

Created on: 5 Oct 2022 18:23
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jonathonne
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jonathonne
5 Oct 2022 18:23
Hello everyone, I have an IKEA Malm bed that occasionally squeaks when I sit on it. The noise is quite annoying and doesn’t seem to occur when lying down, only when I sit on the edge or slightly rock on it. The bed is fairly firmly assembled, and all screws have been tightened. Are there any proven tips on how to stop the squeaking? I suspect it might be related to the metal joints or the slatted frame, but I don’t want to replace any parts blindly. Has anyone had similar experiences or can offer specific solutions to permanently eliminate the squeaking? Thanks in advance!
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Lamar
5 Oct 2022 19:54
I always wonder why so many people immediately push for a completely new solution when a little WD-40 or graphite powder could work wonders.
jonathonne schrieb:
The bed is fairly securely assembled and all screws have been tightened.
But have you really checked every single joint? Often, the squeaking comes exactly from the spot where two wooden panels rub against each other or where a metal connection is slightly loose.

Sometimes it’s worth inserting a thin layer of felt or foam rubber between contact surfaces instead of taking the entire structure apart.

Or, and this is just my personal favorite, simply disassemble the bed briefly, sand all the wooden parts, apply oil or varnish to any rough areas, and then reassemble everything. It might be a bit of work, but after that, there’s peace and quiet.

I think the problem with the well-known IKEA Malm is too easily dismissed by just muttering “it’s IKEA” and hoping it will go away on its own ;-)
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Leland
6 Oct 2022 08:12
Completely loosen the screws and then reinforce the joints slightly with some wood glue. After that, tighten them again.

The squeaking usually disappears once the connections are properly glued and tightened.
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Danial
6 Oct 2022 09:45
Interesting. However, I would note that while WD-40 provides short-term relief, its oil residue attracts dust over time, which can cause new noises.
Lamar schrieb:
a little WD-40 or graphite powder could work wonders.
Graphite powder is actually a better alternative since it lubricates without moisture.

Regarding screws: It is true that tightening them firmly is important, but with wooden joints, the issue often lies in the wood itself, which can move or slightly warp over time. This creates tension in the connections, which in turn causes squeaking.

A permanent solution might therefore involve decoupling the contact surfaces with, for example, Teflon tape or using felt, as Lamar suggested.

Has anyone systematically tested which exact joint causes the squeaking? Are there any user experiences with trouble-free alternatives for the MALM bed frame mechanism?