ᐅ The Malm bed is making a loud creaking noise – how can I identify the cause?

Hello everyone,

I have a Malm bed from IKEA that has started to squeak quite a lot in the past few weeks. The noise mainly occurs when turning over or sitting down, and it sounds quite metallic.

My question is: How can I systematically identify the exact cause of this squeaking? Are there common weak points in this model that I should pay attention to?

So far, I have tried tightening the screws, but that didn’t really help much. It would be great if you could recommend a kind of checklist or step-by-step approach so I can pinpoint the area causing the noise and hopefully fix it.

Janon63 schrieb:
The noise occurs especially when turning over and sitting down, and it sounds quite metallic.

Hi! That definitely sounds like classic “wood-on-metal” or “loose screw” squeaking. My first tip would be to locate all the connection points and treat them with some lubricant (e.g., WD-40 or graphite powder). But be careful: do not spray anything on the mattress or wood surface!

If you want, you can also carefully inspect the spring rails, as squeaky spots often hide there. Good luck, this is usually easy to fix :-)

Janon63 schrieb:
So far, I have tried tightening the screws, but that didn’t really help much.

With the Malm bed, the noise is often caused by the slatted frame or the connection between the bed frame and the headboard.

I recommend the following systematic approach:
1. Check screws and joints for tightness (not just tightening screws, but consider replacing them if they are worn).
2. Completely remove the slatted frame and test it separately to rule out noise coming from the frame.
3. Cushion movable metal connections with Teflon tape or felt strips to reduce metal noises.

These steps have often eliminated the squeaking for me.

I would also add that you should pay attention to the mattress support points. Sometimes the mattress pushes the slatted frame slightly against the bed frame in certain spots, which can cause rubbing noises.

It’s also worth inspecting the bed frame carefully for any cracks or warped wood parts, as these can also produce noises.

Generally, it helps if you have someone assist you during testing by gently moving the bed while you listen closely at critical joints. This way, you can better pinpoint the source of any squeaking. 🙂

1. Completely loosen the screws.
2. Clean the threads.
3. Use new screws.
4. Apply lubricant to the connections.

This usually helps.

TAUFA schrieb:
1. Completely loosen the screws.

👍 Exactly, loosening the screws sometimes helps to remove stuck dirt.

A little insider tip: A drop of sewing machine oil or silicone spray works wonders. It makes the metal smoother and reduces squeaking. So get to the screws and say goodbye to the squeak! ;-)