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fabricen666 Jul 2021 19:27Hello everyone, I am currently looking into why only some IKEA Malm beds squeak while others are completely silent. I have noticed that the noise usually occurs when shifting or moving on the bed and often seems to come from the corners or joints. I suspect that the material, workmanship, or assembly might play a role, but I would be interested to know if anyone here has specific experience or explanations for why squeaking happens with some models or users but not with others. Are there any known weak points, common causes, or tips for fixing this? I’m especially curious if it is related to screw tightness, type of wood, temperature, or humidity. Thanks in advance for your insights!
Hello fabricen66, thank you for your detailed question! 🙂 Squeaking in Malm beds is actually a quite common issue. Basically, these noises usually have mechanical causes, meaning movement between components, often at the joints between wood and metal or between two wooden parts.
That's exactly the point: If the screws are not tightened properly, the parts start to rub against each other under load, which causes the squeaking. Often, systematically tightening all screws and possibly using some lubricant helps – but be careful! Please do not use oil that may damage the wood; rather use a wax-based product.
Besides assembly, the type of wood or the finish can also have an impact – for example, wood can swell slightly in higher humidity, creating extra tension. My tips:
1. Check and tighten screws
2. Cushion joints if necessary with felt or rubber strips
3. Pay attention to the indoor climate (avoid excessive humidity)
If you have further questions, feel free to ask!
fabricen66 schrieb:
"I suspect that material, craftsmanship, or assembly might play a role"
That's exactly the point: If the screws are not tightened properly, the parts start to rub against each other under load, which causes the squeaking. Often, systematically tightening all screws and possibly using some lubricant helps – but be careful! Please do not use oil that may damage the wood; rather use a wax-based product.
Besides assembly, the type of wood or the finish can also have an impact – for example, wood can swell slightly in higher humidity, creating extra tension. My tips:
1. Check and tighten screws
2. Cushion joints if necessary with felt or rubber strips
3. Pay attention to the indoor climate (avoid excessive humidity)
If you have further questions, feel free to ask!
Hello everyone, as a supplement to the previous posts, I would like to provide a brief overview of how squeaking occurs in Malm beds and what can be done to fix it.
1. Mechanical causes: Most commonly, it is movable joints, especially when screws loosen over time. The sound is produced by wood rubbing against wood or wood against metal.
2. Assembly errors: If not all screws are tightened properly during assembly or if the sequence is not followed, this leads to uneven stress.
3. Material and environmental factors: Solid wood and chipboard respond differently to temperature fluctuations and humidity, creating tensions.
4. Aging: After prolonged use, wood joints and screw fittings can wear out or loosen over time.
Typical tips for troubleshooting:
- Systematically retighten all screws, following the sequence described in the assembly instructions.
- Glue felt, rubber, or plastic pads at friction points.
- Lightly sand wooden slats if tensions are present.
- Use small amounts of wax and graphite powder as dry lubricants to reduce friction.
If anyone would like to share their experiences with specific modifications or building materials, I would find that very valuable!
1. Mechanical causes: Most commonly, it is movable joints, especially when screws loosen over time. The sound is produced by wood rubbing against wood or wood against metal.
2. Assembly errors: If not all screws are tightened properly during assembly or if the sequence is not followed, this leads to uneven stress.
3. Material and environmental factors: Solid wood and chipboard respond differently to temperature fluctuations and humidity, creating tensions.
4. Aging: After prolonged use, wood joints and screw fittings can wear out or loosen over time.
Typical tips for troubleshooting:
- Systematically retighten all screws, following the sequence described in the assembly instructions.
- Glue felt, rubber, or plastic pads at friction points.
- Lightly sand wooden slats if tensions are present.
- Use small amounts of wax and graphite powder as dry lubricants to reduce friction.
If anyone would like to share their experiences with specific modifications or building materials, I would find that very valuable!
Hey everyone! 😄 So, a while ago I put together my girlfriend’s Malm bed – and yes, it creaked and squeaked as if someone was cracking its back! 😉
I completely agree, that was our first approach too. But what also works really well: slipping a small piece of felt or even a tissue between parts where wood rubs against wood. That really dampens the noise!
I find it interesting that with some models, the squeaking only starts after a while. So if you’re buying new, you should keep an eye on that, because over time everything tends to loosen up a bit.
One more little tip from me: if you move the bed often, for example when cleaning or rearranging, this can wear down the screws and connectors slightly, which often causes the noises – sometimes it just takes a bit of “breaking in” 😉
I’m curious if others have had similar experiences!
angel schrieb:
"Often, systematically tightening all the screws and, if needed, using a bit of lubricant helps"
I completely agree, that was our first approach too. But what also works really well: slipping a small piece of felt or even a tissue between parts where wood rubs against wood. That really dampens the noise!
I find it interesting that with some models, the squeaking only starts after a while. So if you’re buying new, you should keep an eye on that, because over time everything tends to loosen up a bit.
One more little tip from me: if you move the bed often, for example when cleaning or rearranging, this can wear down the screws and connectors slightly, which often causes the noises – sometimes it just takes a bit of “breaking in” 😉
I’m curious if others have had similar experiences!
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