ᐅ The Malm bed squeaks when getting up – how can I reduce the noise?

Hello everyone,

I have a Malm bed from IKEA that has recently started squeaking quite loudly when getting up. The noise mostly comes from the joints between the side panels and the slatted frame, likely due to slight movements or friction. I have already tried tightening the screws a bit, but that only helped to a limited extent. I’m interested in which methods or materials are effective for reliably reducing these squeaking noises. Does anyone know any proven home remedies or specific lubricants recommended for wooden beds? Should I expect any wear or other issues? I want to avoid damaging the bed or compromising its stability.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Sarpeo schrieb:
I already tried tightening the screws a bit more, but that only helped to a limited extent.

I know that feeling all too well; it’s really annoying when the bed creaks just as you’re getting up.

What helped me was treating the joints with a bit of wax or furniture polish – that reduces the friction. It’s important not to use too much, otherwise it can get slippery. I also once attached felt pads at the contact points, which often reduces direct friction and minimizes noise.

Sometimes these noises occur when small wood fibers rub against each other. In that case, lightly sanding the contact areas helped me, followed by applying some oil to the dowels or screws.

You feel like you’re constantly working on your furniture, but a little patience pays off! 🙂

Sarpeo schrieb:
The noise usually occurs exactly at the connection points between the side panels and the slatted frame, likely due to slight movements or friction.

This gives us a good starting point for the issue. With wooden furniture, especially modular systems like Malm, microscopic tensions and shifts between the components often cause the squeaking. Simply tightening the screws is rarely enough, as wood naturally expands and contracts over time.

I recommend the following approach:

1. First, loosen all screws to relieve any tensions.

2. Lightly roughen the contact surfaces with very fine sandpaper (grit 240 or finer) to smooth any rough spots—be careful not to overdo it.

3. Apply a dry lubricant, such as silicone spray or Teflon spray. These products are safe for wood and prevent friction noises without causing stickiness.

4. Alternatively, special furniture wax pastes can be used to protect the wood fibers and reduce noise.

5. After preparing the surfaces, evenly re-tighten all screws and check that no tension is created in the frame.

I have found the best results especially with the combination of light sanding and dry lubricant. Make sure no excess lubricant remains in the screw threads, as this can cause unwanted loosening.

Can you specify more precisely where the squeaking is strongest? That could help to address the problem more selectively or recommend alternative damping materials.

Sarpeo schrieb:
I am interested in which methods or materials are suitable for effectively reducing these squeaking noises.

Simply apply some wax or graphite powder to the affected areas. This reduces friction.

Regularly check any tight screws.