Hello everyone, I have a question that’s been on my mind for a while: Why do some MALM furniture pieces, especially beds and wardrobes, squeak more than others? I feel like it’s not just about the material, but maybe the construction or the assembly. For example, some drawers squeak a lot, while others are completely silent, even though they’re the same model. Could this be related to the wood quality, the type of screws, or how the piece is put together? Or does the indoor climate have an impact on these noises? If anyone has used MALM furniture for a while or knows about this topic, I would really appreciate an explanation, as I want to understand if it’s possible to prevent squeaking or even avoid it completely.
Hey Ninison, thanks for the very detailed question! :-) I find it really interesting that you’re considering different possible causes right away; it shows how thoroughly you’re approaching the problem!
With MALM furniture, squeaking is often caused by the wood panels, which are relatively thin and pressed. When these panels move slightly or rub against each other, it creates the typical noise.
There are also often fabric or metal parts that can rub and squeak under stress, especially the drawer slides! It’s also important to tighten the screws again after a while, as the wood can deform slightly. The room climate also plays a role: high humidity causes the wood to swell, dry air makes it shrink, which creates tension—and sometimes noises as a result.
So here’s a tip: check the screws, lubricate where needed, and if possible, stick small felt strips between wooden surfaces—that can work wonders! Give it a try; it’s great when you can prevent these issues! 🙂
With MALM furniture, squeaking is often caused by the wood panels, which are relatively thin and pressed. When these panels move slightly or rub against each other, it creates the typical noise.
There are also often fabric or metal parts that can rub and squeak under stress, especially the drawer slides! It’s also important to tighten the screws again after a while, as the wood can deform slightly. The room climate also plays a role: high humidity causes the wood to swell, dry air makes it shrink, which creates tension—and sometimes noises as a result.
So here’s a tip: check the screws, lubricate where needed, and if possible, stick small felt strips between wooden surfaces—that can work wonders! Give it a try; it’s great when you can prevent these issues! 🙂
fasefar schrieb:
There are often fabric or metal parts that can rub and squeak under stress, especially the drawer slides!That sums it up quite well!
To add: MALM furniture is made from MDF panels with a foil coating. While they appear sturdy, they do not have a solid wood structure. These MDF panels tend to show small imperfections where movement can cause noises.
Furniture almost always squeaks if it is not assembled perfectly straight or if the screws are not tightened enough. Adjusting the drawers on the metal slides sometimes requires fine-tuning to prevent rubbing noises.
The indoor climate does have an impact – if humidity fluctuates significantly, the material expands and contracts. This mainly affects the MDF and the joints.
It is important to assemble the furniture on a level surface and to avoid screwing too tightly or too loosely. Regularly checking the screws is also highly recommended, for example every six months.
If you have owned the furniture for a longer time, it can be worthwhile to treat the joints with furniture wax or silicone oil to reduce friction.
L
LuMarcel4323 May 2020 14:18Interesting thread – it’s clear that the squeaking in MALM furniture is not just a coincidence but has structural causes.
However, I would think one step further: the impact of material quality should be viewed more nuanced. On one hand, the MDF used is indeed not solid wood, which brings certain mechanical properties – such as increased susceptibility to deformation from moisture.
On the other hand, the fittings and screws are crucial. Cheaper screws or low-quality metal guides create more play, which in turn allows movement that not only leads to squeaking but can also affect stability over time.
I fully agree with this. Proper alignment is essential, but precision is often lacking in DIY assembly.
I’m also interested if anyone has experience with retrofitting, for example using different screws, washers, or glide coatings – can such modifications effectively eliminate the squeaking, or do they merely shift the problem?
I recommend closely checking the stress points and investing not only in the material but also in the quality of the fasteners.
However, I would think one step further: the impact of material quality should be viewed more nuanced. On one hand, the MDF used is indeed not solid wood, which brings certain mechanical properties – such as increased susceptibility to deformation from moisture.
On the other hand, the fittings and screws are crucial. Cheaper screws or low-quality metal guides create more play, which in turn allows movement that not only leads to squeaking but can also affect stability over time.
BeAndrea schrieb:
Furniture almost always squeaks if it isn’t assembled perfectly straight or if the screws aren’t tightened enough.
I fully agree with this. Proper alignment is essential, but precision is often lacking in DIY assembly.
I’m also interested if anyone has experience with retrofitting, for example using different screws, washers, or glide coatings – can such modifications effectively eliminate the squeaking, or do they merely shift the problem?
I recommend closely checking the stress points and investing not only in the material but also in the quality of the fasteners.
P
praWarre6923 May 2020 17:39Haha, I also experienced squeaking with my MALM bed! :-) At first, I really wondered if the furniture was alive and trying to wake me up!
What works great for me: small silicone rings at the joints, which prevent wood from rubbing directly against wood or metal.
Also, a little tip: loosen all the screws and then carefully tighten them again, but not too much – this preserves the material’s flexibility and prevents overstressing, which often causes creaking.
If that doesn’t help, a small drop of wax at the problem spots can also do the trick.
From my experience: MALM is supposed to be affordable, but you need to do a bit of tweaking if you want quietness ;-). Still, it’s a great series once you know its quirks! Good luck with tightening and eliminating the noises 🙂
What works great for me: small silicone rings at the joints, which prevent wood from rubbing directly against wood or metal.
Also, a little tip: loosen all the screws and then carefully tighten them again, but not too much – this preserves the material’s flexibility and prevents overstressing, which often causes creaking.
If that doesn’t help, a small drop of wax at the problem spots can also do the trick.
From my experience: MALM is supposed to be affordable, but you need to do a bit of tweaking if you want quietness ;-). Still, it’s a great series once you know its quirks! Good luck with tightening and eliminating the noises 🙂
LuMarcel43 schrieb:
I’m also interested in whether anyone has experience with retrofit modifications, such as using different screws, washers, or sliding coatings – can these kinds of changes effectively eliminate squeaking, or do they just shift the problem?From a technical perspective, I can say that retrofit modifications that reduce friction points—such as sliding coatings (including Teflon tape or felt adhesive strips)—usually reduce squeaking very effectively. They change the friction characteristics and prevent sticking and wear that cause noise.
Replacing screws with higher-quality ones that have a more precise fit and more stable thread guidance also significantly improves stability. It’s important to use fine-thread screws, as they hold better and loosen less easily.
Insufficient load distribution due to too few or unsuitable screws worsens the problem. So when retrofitting, you should also check their position and type.
In short: Yes, it’s worth it—but you should proceed systematically and not just treat isolated spots. A comprehensive check can ensure long-term success.
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