ᐅ Why do some Malm furniture pieces squeak even when assembled correctly?

Good morning everyone, I have a question that has been on my mind for a while: Why do some IKEA Malm furniture pieces squeak even when assembled correctly? By this, I mean that all screws are properly tightened, all parts fit as intended, yet you still hear this unpleasant, occasional squeaking, especially when moving or sitting on them. Does anyone have a clear explanation or experience as to what might cause this? I suspect that the material or the joining techniques could play a role, but I would like to hear well-founded opinions on this.

Squeaking often occurs due to friction between wood and wood or metal and wood. Even if everything seems secure, small movements may still be present. A drop of lubricant applied to the contact points can often help.

With Malm furniture, the MDF material is often the cause. It tends to expand or contract slightly. This creates tension, which leads to the squeaking noises.

Regardless of correct construction, squeaking usually occurs due to minimal movement between connected parts that are not fully fixed. For example, in Malm furniture, the drawer slides or embedded dowels in the wood can rub against each other over time. Another common reason is an uneven foundation or load, which leads to slight deformations. Fluctuations in moisture can also change the wood material and create tension.

Thank you for your responses so far. The comments about MDF and moisture are interesting. The Malm furniture piece is located in a very climatically stable room, but I am still looking for the exact cause of the squeaking.

INGRID34 schrieb:
A drop of lubricant on the contact points can often help.

Since you mentioned it – is there a recommended lubricant for this type of furniture that won’t damage the material? Does anyone know more about this?

Basically, squeaking in furniture like Malm, when assembled correctly, is caused by “material friction effects.” With MDF as the core material, micro-movements in the joint area cannot be completely avoided. Moisture and temperature fluctuations contribute to these effects. For treatment, I recommend silicone oil or Teflon spray in a minimal amount, applied with a cotton swab to prevent overdosing and material damage. Alternatively, dry lubricants such as assembly spray work well. The main point: the solution is targeted protection against friction, not permanently loosening screws.