ᐅ What to Do About Squeaking Noises in the Malm Bed?

Hello everyone, I have a problem with my Malm bed from IKEA: it keeps squeaking whenever I move or turn around. It’s quite annoying and affects the comfort of my sleep. I’ve done a bit of research and found out that squeaking often comes from loose joints or the slatted frame. Since I bought the bed only about a year ago, I’m a bit surprised by this. Can someone explain how I can identify the exact cause, what the typical sources of these squeaking noises are, and what I can do to eliminate them permanently? Maybe the tip about lubricants could help? I would appreciate detailed advice because I’d like to fix it myself without having to call someone. Thanks in advance!

Hello sinpau, your issue is very common with beds that have a wooden frame like the Malm. The squeaking usually comes from friction at connection points or moving parts such as the slatted frame.

First, you should carefully check and tighten all screws and joints on the bed. They often loosen over time due to movement. Replacing the screws with new ones can also help if the threads are damaged.

Another point is the slatted frame: slats or supports can shift and cause noises. Check if the slats are properly seated and if there are any gaps or wobbly spots.

For treatment, you can also use some baby powder or talcum powder, sprinkled between the joints. This often works better than oil or WD-40, which could soften the wood.

It’s best to partially disassemble the bed and proceed systematically. If you like, we can go through it step by step together.

renpeo schrieb:
The squeaking usually comes from friction at joints or moving parts like the slatted bed base.

I agree with that. It’s also important to check if the bed legs and the floor are clean and if the frame is sitting evenly all around. Sometimes the squeaking is caused by the bed rocking slightly or being uneven.

When you disassemble and reassemble the Malm bed, make sure to follow the assembly instructions carefully. Especially with self-assembly, it can happen that some parts are not tightened securely enough.

A proven tip: apply a thin layer of wax or furniture oil to the contact surfaces between the wooden parts. This significantly reduces friction noise. But be careful with the amount – it shouldn’t drip or become sticky.

First, check all the screws and tighten them. Then inspect the slatted frame. Baby powder often helps with squeaking. Oil is not recommended.

Wobbly bed joints are the main cause. Tighten the screws and lightly sand the wooden surfaces to smooth any rough areas. This helps with many Malm beds.

Thanks in advance for the tips! Yesterday, I checked all the visible screws; most of them were tight, but I noticed a bit of play in two places. I also inspected the bed slats – no broken slats, but one seemed a bit loose. Now I’m wondering: could the squeaking also come from the metal connections on the bed slats frame? If so, what’s your experience – is tightening enough, or should I lubricate these parts, and if yes, what’s best to use? Or would it be better to replace the bed slats frame? Looking forward to your opinions.