ᐅ Why does my MALM nightstand squeak when I move it?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought the Malm nightstand from IKEA. However, when I move it—such as sliding it slightly or shaking it—the wood squeaks quite loudly and annoyingly. I’ve already tried closing the drawer and adjusting the frame, but the noise persists.

Does anyone know if this issue is common with Malm nightstands, especially the model with drawers? I’m wondering if it might be a material problem, an assembly issue, or just normal wear and tear. Are there any proven tips to permanently eliminate the squeaking?

Thanks for your insights and help!

Hey Mefeje, this sounds like a classic “wood-on-wood” friction issue. 🙂 MALM nightstands made from particleboard tend to squeak at corners or joints when moved, because the surfaces slightly shift against each other and rub together.

A simple, often overlooked solution is to apply a bit of talcum powder or baby powder to the contact points. This acts like a lubricant and can noticeably reduce the squeaking. Wiping the moving parts with a dry cloth to clean them might also help – sometimes dust in the gaps can make the squeaking worse.

Try this before experimenting with oils or greasy substances, as those can unfortunately cause stains. Good luck! 🙂

Hello Mefeje, your issue is quite understandable, and I can explain in more detail:

The squeaking of a MALM nightstand when moving it usually occurs at the joints of the particleboard panels. This material consists of compressed wood fibers held together with glue – uneven surfaces and slight movements here tend to cause friction.

To tackle the problem systematically, I suggest the following steps:
1. Check all screws and connections – often, fasteners loosen and cause unstable mechanics.
2. Remove the drawers and inspect the side rails: are they worn or possibly misaligned? Misaligned drawer runners can also cause noise.
3. For the joints themselves, you can use graphite powder; it is dry, lubricates well, and does not leave stains.

One important question: Did you assemble the nightstand yourself, or was it delivered pre-assembled? When building it yourself, small adjustment options are often overlooked that can fix the problem.

If you like, feel free to share your results here in the thread – the more detailed the information, the better we can assist you.

Palenar schrieb:
One important question would be: Did you assemble the bedside table yourself, or was it delivered already assembled?

I completely agree; I also find this question very relevant. Often, the material itself isn’t the main problem, but rather how tightly or loosely everything is assembled.

I once had a MALM desk that made an unpleasant squeaking noise when moved. For me, the solution was to completely loosen all the screws and then carefully retighten them with slightly more tension. Just be careful not to overtighten anything!

Additionally, I highly recommend rubbing the sliding surfaces with some clear furniture wax or even candle wax. That usually works wonders.

Have you tried testing the entire frame on a flat surface? Sometimes the noise is amplified by uneven flooring.

Mefeje schrieb:
I wonder if this is a material issue, an assembly error, or perhaps just normal wear and tear.

I would say that squeaking in MALM nightstands is not a “construction defect,” but simply a result of the chosen price range and materials. Particleboard combined with basic screw connections is not designed for noiseless turning or sliding.

In my view, the design is more focused on looking and functioning cheaply rather than being silent.

Of course, there are hidden alternatives and higher-quality furniture—but those typically cost about twice as much.

So, the squeaking is almost a “feature” and a symptom of inexpensive, “DIY”-style furniture. Maybe not what you want, but realistically no surprise.

For people who prefer quiet, the only options are usually replacement with something else or thorough reworking with lubricants, which is not a permanent solution either.

From my technical perspective, the squeaking can definitely be reduced while maintaining the mechanical function. The key recommendations I would suggest for such a piece of furniture are:

- Check screws for a secure fit and tighten if necessary, but not too tightly to avoid damaging the wood.
- Use lubricants on contact points: graphite or silicone sprays work well because they don’t stick or harden.
- Inspect the drawer runners: some MALM models use plastic guides that can squeak due to dust or small debris.
- Consider using leveling feet if the furniture is placed on an uneven floor. Uneven flooring can cause rocking, which increases friction.

I would generally advise against oily products on particleboard, as they can cause swelling or discoloration of the material.

In conclusion: there is no universal solution, but squeaking often results from a combination of assembly and material properties.