ᐅ The Malm bed squeaks at the foot area – how can I fix this?

Created on: 4 Aug 2023 19:23
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Minsan
Hello everyone,

I have had a Malm bed from IKEA for some time now, and the foot area squeaks whenever I move or sit down on the bed. The squeaking is quite annoying and sometimes very loud, even though the bed still feels stable overall.

I’ve already tried tightening the screws, but without much success – the squeaking noise remains.

My guess is that some joints or the wooden slats might be rubbing against each other or are loose somewhere.

Do you have any experience with how to specifically fix squeaking noises on a Malm bed? Are there particular techniques, tools, or materials (such as lubricants) you would recommend that wouldn’t require taking the bed apart completely and reassembling it?

I would really appreciate any concrete tips, as I use the bed daily and the noise is quite bothersome.
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kasan
4 Aug 2023 22:17
I would like to pose a fundamental question here: Is the squeaking really caused by loose screws, or could it be due to low-quality engineered wood and its tendency to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes?

Simply tightening the screws and using glue might actually make the problem worse if stresses develop that increase the squeaking. Does anyone have comparisons on whether the Malm model experiences such issues more often than other beds?
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Thierryzar
4 Aug 2023 22:45
Malm beds are made from particleboard with veneer, which is correct, and they tend to make noises. I oiled the metal connectors on my bed, which helped. Also, check the screws from time to time, as the wood settles.
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geralu
4 Aug 2023 23:03
kasan schrieb:
Is the squeaking really caused by loose screws, or could it be due to low-quality engineered wood?

The material is certainly not ideal, but if it squeaks, it is usually due to mechanical play. Oil or wax can reduce the noise, but tightening the screws is often the quickest solution.
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Luciandi
5 Aug 2023 07:11
I can understand how frustrating such a squeaking noise can be, especially when you just want to relax in the evening. What helped me was checking not only the screws but also all wooden contact surfaces to see if they were dry or rough.

In some cases, using very fine sandpaper to smooth the contact points slightly can help, followed by applying a small amount of beeswax to the surfaces. This creates a kind of buffer and reduces noise. Just be careful not to use too much, as it can become sticky.
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FLONE41
5 Aug 2023 09:56
In my experience, such squeaking noises often occur when the bed is placed on an uneven floor, causing the structure to shift slightly. Have you checked whether all feet are making contact with the floor? A small piece of felt or a furniture glide under the foot can help reduce the tension.
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Minsan
5 Aug 2023 11:08
FLONE41 schrieb:
In my experience, such squeaking noises often occur when the bed is placed on an uneven floor

That’s a good point. My bedroom floor is indeed not completely level, so the bed might be twisting slightly.

How sturdy are the Ikea Malm bed legs? Is it possible to replace them or are there accessories available to improve the contact? I’d prefer not to improvise but rather find a clean, straightforward solution.