Hello everyone,
some time ago I bought a Malm bed frame from IKEA, which looks great but unfortunately squeaks quite a lot whenever there is movement. My question is: What specifically helps to stop squeaking in Malm furniture, especially bed frames? Are there proven and long-lasting solutions beyond just applying oil? I suspect that hinges, wood joints, or metal-on-wood contacts might be the cause.
It would be great if you could share your experiences or tips, ideally also advice on which products or methods are particularly suitable or unsuitable for Malm.
some time ago I bought a Malm bed frame from IKEA, which looks great but unfortunately squeaks quite a lot whenever there is movement. My question is: What specifically helps to stop squeaking in Malm furniture, especially bed frames? Are there proven and long-lasting solutions beyond just applying oil? I suspect that hinges, wood joints, or metal-on-wood contacts might be the cause.
It would be great if you could share your experiences or tips, ideally also advice on which products or methods are particularly suitable or unsuitable for Malm.
Hello Saunar,
your description probably applies to many Malm owners, as the design is quite simple but there can be many potential points of friction.
First, I would recommend thoroughly tightening all screws and connections. Even slight movement or a loose screw often causes squeaking.
Additionally, it helps to treat the contact points (especially metal-to-wood) with a suitable lubricant. Many swear by silicone spray since it doesn’t become sticky and doesn’t cause the wood to swell. Graphite powder is also good but harder to apply.
What I would explicitly not recommend is WD-40, as it contains oils that attract dirt and can lead to more problems in the long run.
If wood parts are rubbing against each other, it can help to place felt pads or thin plastic strips at the contact points.
Feel free to write if you need more specific tips or explanations about the mechanisms in the Malm bed.
your description probably applies to many Malm owners, as the design is quite simple but there can be many potential points of friction.
First, I would recommend thoroughly tightening all screws and connections. Even slight movement or a loose screw often causes squeaking.
Additionally, it helps to treat the contact points (especially metal-to-wood) with a suitable lubricant. Many swear by silicone spray since it doesn’t become sticky and doesn’t cause the wood to swell. Graphite powder is also good but harder to apply.
What I would explicitly not recommend is WD-40, as it contains oils that attract dirt and can lead to more problems in the long run.
If wood parts are rubbing against each other, it can help to place felt pads or thin plastic strips at the contact points.
Feel free to write if you need more specific tips or explanations about the mechanisms in the Malm bed.
Hello everyone,
I would like to add some technical details to BeAndrea’s post. The squeaking usually comes from minimal movement between two parts where friction occurs. For Malm beds, the joints between the side and cross slats, as well as the slatted frames, are especially affected.
In addition to tightening the screws, I recommend checking the screw holes for wear. If they become too large, the component can move and cause noise. In such cases, inserting wooden dowels or using special wood glue can help restore a snug fit.
Sometimes the metal fittings are not seated properly. Occasional disassembly, cleaning, and readjustment can help, possibly combined with a light lubrication (silicone spray).
If someone feels confident working on the construction, sanding down small edges can also be helpful.
Why do I mention this? I did exactly that with my Malm bed and have been squeak-free for months.
Especially with furniture made of particleboard, you should be careful, as too much moisture or the wrong cleaning agents can damage the material.
I would like to add some technical details to BeAndrea’s post. The squeaking usually comes from minimal movement between two parts where friction occurs. For Malm beds, the joints between the side and cross slats, as well as the slatted frames, are especially affected.
In addition to tightening the screws, I recommend checking the screw holes for wear. If they become too large, the component can move and cause noise. In such cases, inserting wooden dowels or using special wood glue can help restore a snug fit.
Sometimes the metal fittings are not seated properly. Occasional disassembly, cleaning, and readjustment can help, possibly combined with a light lubrication (silicone spray).
If someone feels confident working on the construction, sanding down small edges can also be helpful.
Why do I mention this? I did exactly that with my Malm bed and have been squeak-free for months.
Especially with furniture made of particleboard, you should be careful, as too much moisture or the wrong cleaning agents can damage the material.
BeAndrea schrieb:
First, I would recommend thoroughly tightening all screws and connections. Thanks for the initial tip! I have actually prepared a wrench already but was unsure whether tightening the screws too much could damage the structure.
Foster63 schrieb:
Besides tightening the screws, I suggest checking the screw holes for wear. How can I best identify wear in the screw holes without causing any damage?
If I summarize the issue correctly: screw tension, lubrication of appropriate parts, and possibly adjustment of worn connections.
Can someone explain how to properly apply lubrication to the metal fittings of this bed model? What exact steps should I follow? Should I remove the parts or work directly on the assembled bed?
Saunar schrieb:
How can I best identify wear in screw holes without causing any damage?This really comes down to experience, but here are a few pointers: If screws keep loosening despite repeatedly tightening them, or if you notice that the joint moves slightly back and forth, these are signs that the holes have become worn out.
If the wood around the hole looks damaged or cracked, that is another indication.
If I were you, I would carefully remove the screw and fill the holes with a thin wood filler or wood glue, and if needed, restore the durability using a precisely sized wooden dowel. Then reinsert and tighten the screw.
When lubricating, it’s best to treat the metal parts while they are still installed, so you can immediately check if the squeaking noise decreases.
Silicone spray works well for this because it doesn’t stick. Simply spray it on, move the parts to loosen them, and often that’s all it takes.
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