ᐅ The MALM bed squeaks at the connection point – how can I fix it?

Hello everyone,

I have an Ikea Malm bed that squeaks quite loudly at one of the joints when I move. More specifically, it’s the connection between the headboard and the bed frame, where the side rails are hooked in. The bed is a bit older, about 3 years, and I suspect the wooden joints or screws have loosened or shifted slightly.

I’d like to know the best way to fix this squeaking. Do I need to completely take apart the joint and apply oil or grease? Are there any special tips for checking or tightening the screws or wooden dowels without damaging the wood?

I’ve read that sometimes graphite powder or silicone spray can reduce friction, but I’m unsure how effective that is for this model.

Has anyone had experience with the MALM bed and knows good ways to permanently eliminate this creaking or squeaking noise at the joint?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello,

first, make sure to tighten all screws at the connection points securely. Most of the time, squeaking is caused by loose joints. If that doesn't help, you can use wood glue on the dowels or wrap the screws with PTFE tape. Avoid using oil, as it can be absorbed by the wood.

Squeaking in MALM beds often results from microscopic movements between the wooden joint and the screw.

It is recommended to first completely loosen the screws using a hex key, clean the joints (e.g., from dust and old residues), and then retighten the screws evenly and firmly by hand.

If the squeaking persists, a thin layer of wax (e.g., beeswax) can be applied to the joint to reduce friction. Oils can soften the wood and are not ideal. Silicone spray may cause the screws to corrode, so it is best to avoid it.

Be cautious with dowels: if they have loosened, wood glue can help, but this is only possible if the joint is taken apart.

Check whether the screws are really tight. If they are, you can stick small felt or fabric washers under the screw heads. These will reduce friction and therefore the squeaking.

Lucien schrieb:
The squeaking in MALM beds often comes from microscopic movements between the wooden joint and the screw.

That sounds reasonable. Could you lightly sand the affected wood before applying wax to make the surface a bit smoother? Or is there a risk of damaging the material?

Marcellela schrieb:
attach small felt or fabric washers

That’s an idea, but I’m not sure how to make it look neat and stay secure without completely disassembling the piece. Does anyone have experience with exactly how to place such a cushioning layer between the screw head and the wood?

Sanding the joint is generally possible but should be done very carefully to avoid compromising the fit.

Alternatively, it is better to gently rub the joint, for example with fine sandpaper (grit 240 or finer), to remove loose wood fibers or unevenness without removing material.

Regarding the felt pads: There are special furniture padding felts that can be cut into small pieces. These can be placed between the screw head and the wood when disassembling the furniture to dampen noise. This works well if the screw is not fully countersunk and leaves some space.

You can also wrap Teflon tape around the screw threads before reinstalling the screws to reduce friction between the wood and the screw.

It is important that the screws are tightened continuously, firmly, and evenly after installation to minimize play without crushing the wood.