Hello everyone, I have had the IKEA Malm bed in the size 180x200 cm (71x79 inches) for about half a year, and recently I’ve noticed that with heavy use, especially when moving around or turning several times a day, it starts to squeak. The noise seems to come mainly from the joints and possibly the slatted frame. The bed has, of course, been regularly tightened, but the issue keeps coming back. I’m looking for tips on how to permanently eliminate the squeaking without having to completely disassemble the bed or make major modifications. Are there any specific lubricants, additional padding, or small adjustments you would recommend? Thanks in advance!
Hello IXTUBA,
Your issue sounds very typical for the IKEA Malm bed, especially with heavy use. The creaking usually comes from friction points at the joints, as the small screws in wood or particleboard furniture tend to loosen over time.
My advice:
1. Completely loosen all screws, gently clean all contact surfaces (dust can also cause noise), and before reassembling, lightly coat all threads and wood contact areas with graphite powder or paraffin (candle wax). I would not recommend silicone spray due to long-term effects, as it can damage or smear the wood surface and may attract dirt.
2. For the slatted frames, check that the ends that fit into the holders are secure and not rubbing against each other. Sometimes, applying small felt strips or furniture pads between the slatted frame and the frame can help.
3. Very important: Use a torque wrench to tighten the screws evenly rather than just tightening them by hand. Over-tightened screws can damage the material, while loose screws cause noise.
A quick question: Is it mainly the metal connections or the wooden parts that are causing the creaking? Can you narrow it down?
Your issue sounds very typical for the IKEA Malm bed, especially with heavy use. The creaking usually comes from friction points at the joints, as the small screws in wood or particleboard furniture tend to loosen over time.
My advice:
1. Completely loosen all screws, gently clean all contact surfaces (dust can also cause noise), and before reassembling, lightly coat all threads and wood contact areas with graphite powder or paraffin (candle wax). I would not recommend silicone spray due to long-term effects, as it can damage or smear the wood surface and may attract dirt.
2. For the slatted frames, check that the ends that fit into the holders are secure and not rubbing against each other. Sometimes, applying small felt strips or furniture pads between the slatted frame and the frame can help.
3. Very important: Use a torque wrench to tighten the screws evenly rather than just tightening them by hand. Over-tightened screws can damage the material, while loose screws cause noise.
A quick question: Is it mainly the metal connections or the wooden parts that are causing the creaking? Can you narrow it down?
Hey IXTUBA :-)
I’m very familiar with the typical squeaky IKEA bed problem. I experimented a bit with baby powder on my Malm bed (I know, it sounds odd at first), just lightly applied to the joints where the noise was the loudest. It somehow loosened things up and turned out to be a secret tip against those squeaky nights 😉
Also, a little fun side note: sometimes the mattress itself might "send signals," so have you tried checking if the noise is still there when you lie directly on the frame without the mattress? If yes, it’s really the bed structure; if not, you might want to adjust the mattress instead.
Good luck silencing your bed! The quiet solution should be around here somewhere 🙂
I’m very familiar with the typical squeaky IKEA bed problem. I experimented a bit with baby powder on my Malm bed (I know, it sounds odd at first), just lightly applied to the joints where the noise was the loudest. It somehow loosened things up and turned out to be a secret tip against those squeaky nights 😉
Also, a little fun side note: sometimes the mattress itself might "send signals," so have you tried checking if the noise is still there when you lie directly on the frame without the mattress? If yes, it’s really the bed structure; if not, you might want to adjust the mattress instead.
Good luck silencing your bed! The quiet solution should be around here somewhere 🙂
I recommend the following structured approach for addressing squeaking noises in the Malm bed during intensive use:
1. Systematically check all screws one by one and tighten any that are loose, but avoid overtightening.
2. Treat contact points between the frame and the headboard/footboard with a dry lubricant such as graphite or paraffin.
3. Inspect the slatted base: replace rubber or plastic feet if worn.
4. Examine the wooden frame and joints for cracks or deformations, as movement can be intensified by material fatigue.
Note: Using oil-based products can be absorbed by the wood, potentially causing long-term damage or attracting dirt.
If these tips are not sufficient, precisely locating the source of the squeaking can be helpful, for example by using acoustic dampening or individual tapping. This makes targeted measures easier.
1. Systematically check all screws one by one and tighten any that are loose, but avoid overtightening.
2. Treat contact points between the frame and the headboard/footboard with a dry lubricant such as graphite or paraffin.
3. Inspect the slatted base: replace rubber or plastic feet if worn.
4. Examine the wooden frame and joints for cracks or deformations, as movement can be intensified by material fatigue.
Note: Using oil-based products can be absorbed by the wood, potentially causing long-term damage or attracting dirt.
If these tips are not sufficient, precisely locating the source of the squeaking can be helpful, for example by using acoustic dampening or individual tapping. This makes targeted measures easier.
deoke schrieb:
My tip: Loosen all screws completely, gently clean all contact points ... and before re-tightening, rub all threads and wooden contact surfaces very lightly with graphite powder or paraffin (candle wax).I generally agree, but I wonder how practical this is for furniture like the Malm, which has to withstand daily stress from weight and movement. Wouldn’t that only be a temporary fix?
Also, it’s important to consider that wood-based particleboard constructions tend to “move” over time—that is, material deformation or shrinkage is unavoidable. This likely means that the creaking will be a permanent issue as long as the bed is in use.
From my perspective, it’s better to take preventive measures by adding more felt or plastic pads and regularly retightening screws, rather than undertaking more complex steps that only offer a short-term solution.
What’s your view on this?
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