ᐅ Why does the Malm bed squeak only on one side?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my IKEA Malm bed that squeaks only on one side. The bed is several years old, but the squeaking has only started recently. The noise occurs exclusively when moving or lying down on the left side. The right side remains completely quiet.

I have already tried tightening screws and checking the wooden slats, but without lasting success. The typical cause of a squeaking bed is usually loose joints or friction between wood and metal parts, but why only on one side? Are there any specific structural features that could explain such asymmetrical noises?

I would appreciate any tips or experiences on how to pinpoint and fix the problem without having to take the whole bed apart. Thanks in advance!

Most of the time, the Malm bed squeaks on one side because the fastenings there are either not properly secured or are loose. Tighten the screws and joints on the squeaking side again, possibly using a hex key.

It also often helps to lightly sand the wooden slats or to apply felt pads to prevent direct wood-to-wood contact.

The asymmetric squeaking on only one side of the Malm bed can have various causes. Usually, such noises arise from localized movement between two components, especially caused by friction at connection points.

In models like the Malm, which are assembled from multiple individual parts, manufacturing tolerances or variations can result in one side not fitting perfectly flush or slightly wobbling. This can cause friction during load changes on that side, which manifests as squeaking.

I recommend first systematically checking all screws and fasteners on the affected side using appropriate tools and tightening them if necessary. If metal connections are involved, applying lubricant to moving metal parts can also be helpful. Additionally, inserting thin felt or rubber strips at friction points can reduce mechanical rubbing.

bupar schrieb:
The asymmetric squeaking on just one side of the Malm bed can have various causes.

I agree with that, but I think the explanation is a bit general. In my opinion, the load distribution should also be considered – do you move more or apply more force on one side than the other?

Additionally, I wonder if the slatted frame or an individual crossbeam on the left side might have a defect or some looseness. The Malm bed has a classic frame construction where individual components together significantly affect stability.

I would also check whether the floor or room conditions contribute, for example, a slightly uneven surface that causes more movement on one side.

Squeaking is usually just a symptom; the actual cause can often lie in the physics of load distribution.

Hello!

This is a good and quite common question. With beds like the Malm model, it can indeed happen that squeaking occurs only on one side. As mentioned before, mechanical contact points are usually to blame. It is important to carefully check the frame, the slatted bed base, and the support surfaces.

Often, tightening the screws in a specific order helps to avoid uneven tension in the frame. For example, first tighten the screws on the squeaky side, then lightly tighten all the side screws so the frame settles evenly.

It is also useful to check the connection between the headboard, footboard, and side panels. Sometimes the screws are tight, but the threaded inserts in the wooden parts have some play. In this case, wood glue or additional dowel glue can be used to reduce the looseness.

If the squeaking occurs during movement, it is worth inspecting the slatted bed base as well. Since the Malm bed base is usually attached with metal brackets, corrosion or deposits can develop here, causing noise.

In summary: systematically retighten the screws, check movable joints, and if possible, dampen contact surfaces with felt or rubber.

Lisdaniil schrieb:
The bed is already several years old, but the squeaking has only started recently.

It’s interesting that the squeaking suddenly comes from only one side. It almost sounds like something there has come loose that was stable for a while.

Sometimes it helps to gently push the bed toward the center or deliberately readjust the individual parts – almost like a small “mechanical operation” in the living room 😉

Also, keep in mind that the material ages. Wooden components or coatings can react differently depending on temperature and humidity, causing uneven stresses.

Maybe try testing whether the squeaking gets worse at different temperatures or humidity levels? Sometimes issues resolve themselves simply by the wood expanding or contracting differently.

Don’t forget: sometimes the best friend of a squeaky bed is a bit of talcum powder or silicone spray – just use carefully!