ᐅ MALM bed squeaks despite regular maintenance – what can be done?

Hello everyone,

I have a MALM bed from IKEA that, despite regular maintenance and tightening of the screws, has started to squeak quietly over the past few weeks. The problem mainly occurs when moving or pressing the bed in a certain direction. I have already tried tightening all the connections and checked the support points to prevent any floating joints. However, the noise persists.

My question to the community is: What can I do if the MALM bed continues to squeak despite multiple inspections and maintenance? Are there common weak points or specific techniques to fix the issue permanently?

I would be very grateful for any tips or shared experiences!

nonru schrieb:
What can I do if the MALM bed squeaks despite multiple inspections and maintenance?

Hello nonru,

to systematically and permanently solve your problem, I recommend the following approach. First, you should identify exactly where the squeaking occurs. Often, it is the connections between the side panels and the bed frame or the slatted base contact points that cause friction.

1. Loosen the screws again and apply some wood glue to the joints before carefully tightening them. This helps to bridge small gaps.

2. Additionally, use felt or rubber pads at the points where wood meets wood or metal—this reduces friction and therefore noise.

3. Check whether the screws are inserted straight, as angled screws can cause tension.

4. Never forget: even a slightly warped slatted base can squeak, so remove it and test as well.

Summary: Secure screws with wood glue, use felt pads, and tighten all connections truly straight. I have often had good results with MALM beds this way.

Good luck!

nonru schrieb:
Despite multiple rechecks and maintenance, the MALM bed squeaks

To fully understand the squeaking issue, it is important to know the construction of the MALM bed:

It is a piece of furniture with carcass joints made from pressure-glued wood-based panels and metal fittings. These materials are sensitive to moisture and temperature, which can cause stresses.

My suggestion:

- Make sure to check whether the screws connecting the side panels with the headboard and footboard are the correct ones. The assembly instructions specify torque values; exceeding them can deform the joints.

- It’s worthwhile to lightly treat all wood-to-wood connections with a paraffin- or silicone-based lubricant to reduce friction. (Please do not use WD-40 on wood!)

- Inspect the support surface for the slatted frame: even minimal unevenness can cause movement.

- If the noise only occurs under load, there might be a slight deformation in the frame that shifts when pressure is applied.

So I ask: Is the bed standing on an uneven floor? Are you using pads or shims to compensate for irregularities?

The goal is a complete analysis of all mechanical contact points.

nonru schrieb:
MALM bed squeaks despite regular maintenance and tightening of the screws

Hey nonru,

I’m going to take this lightly: A squeaky bed is almost like an annoying song you can’t get out of your head 😉 But seriously, it can be frustrating! Here’s something I tried:

Check if you not only tightened the screws but also lightly lubricated the threads (with a small amount of wax or soap). This helps them move much more smoothly.

And before you start working on it—test if the floor under the bed is stable too. Sometimes simply “unclamping” the slatted frame, meaning lifting and pressing it down again, can make a big difference.

Stay relaxed—usually you can calm down a squeaky companion this way 🙂

First, check if all screws are really tight and tighten them again if necessary.

Then apply wax or a dry lubricant to the wooden joints to reduce friction.

Also check for an uneven floor, otherwise the bed will wobble and squeak.

Hello nonru!

It’s great that you always take good care of your MALM! 🙂 I had a similar issue once, and here’s my tip:

I placed small felt pads between the wooden joints. This works really well to dampen and almost completely eliminate any squeaking!

Give it a try—this will make your bed much quieter right away. And don’t worry: it feels great to be able to tame a piece of furniture like that! Good luck, and please let us know how it goes! 🙂