ᐅ The Malm bed only squeaks under certain pressure – what can I do?

Hello everyone,

I have a Malm bed from IKEA and noticed that it squeaks under a very specific pressure point. This means the squeaking doesn’t happen all the time, but only when I sit or lie down in a certain spot or apply a certain amount of force. The noise clearly comes from the bed frame, probably at the joints where the wooden parts connect or at the screws. I already tried tightening all the screws, but that didn’t help much.

My question is, what methods or steps are effective to specifically fix or at least significantly reduce this squeaking? Are there any proven lubricants, inserts, or mechanical aids that can be used on a bed like this? Maybe someone knows this problem and can explain whether it’s caused by material stress or by insufficient or improper fastening?

I look forward to your tips and experiences!

eliah70 schrieb:
The noise clearly comes from the bed frame, probably at the joints of the wooden components or the screws.

Thank you for your very precise description; this is important for effective troubleshooting. The MALM bed is generally well-built, but the typical creaking at certain pressure points usually results from two causes: wooden joints that move slightly against each other, or metal-on-wood friction at screws or dowels.

Specifically, I recommend the following steps in this order:

1. Disassemble the bed as much as possible to check and adjust all screws and joints. When doing so, don’t just tighten the screws, but also loosen and retighten them to allow the connections to settle properly.

2. Check whether the wooden parts lie flat against each other. Even small gaps or unevenness can cause slight movement and generate noise.

3. Use a suitable lubricant, ideally graphite powder or silicone spray. For wooden parts, I recommend beeswax or paraffin-based waxes, since oils might cause the wood to swell.

4. For metal parts, you can dampen contact points with felt or rubber strips to reduce friction.

5. Examine the support of the slatted frame. If there is play there, this can also cause creaking.

Can you say whether the creaking is localized more near the sides or the head/foot sections? Even small details like the exact type of screws help – are they Phillips or Allen?

Depending on your feedback, we can suggest more detailed measures.

Best regards, Andreas

FeAndreas1 schrieb:
If small gaps or unevenness exist, these can move slightly and cause noises.

This is an important point I would like to add to. Most squeaking in wooden furniture is usually due to minor movements that occur during changes in load, causing noise at friction points.

Furthermore, it should be checked whether all screws have the correct length and thread type for their specific location. Improperly seated or worn dowels can also cause play.

For a systematic inspection, I recommend:

- Checking the entire frame construction for dimensions and squareness, as deviations can create stresses.

- Inspecting contact points for possible mechanical wear (e.g., frayed drill holes).

- Simulating load stresses: identify where the squeaking occurs, mark these areas precisely, and then treat them specifically.

- Using Teflon or felt pads at contact points where movement is unavoidable.

These measures have become established best practices in furniture maintenance. Any installed slatted frame or additional support materials should also be checked, as they can cause stress at the connections.

Please also note that wood moisture content and temperature can affect material properties, which in some cases contributes to squeaking.

eliah70 schrieb:
The noise clearly comes from the bed frame, likely at the joints between the wooden components or the screws.

Carefully tighten all screws, then rub wax on all joints. Avoid oil to prevent the wood from swelling.

If it still creaks, felt strips at the contact points usually help.

This typically resolves the squeaking.