I have a MALM bed from IKEA that occasionally creaks under load, especially when moving or sitting on it. The question I have is: why does the MALM bed only creak sporadically and not continuously? I suspect it might be due to material stresses, the construction, or specific contact points. Are there any known weak spots or maintenance recommendations to prevent the creaking? I would like to understand the causes in as much detail as possible in order to address the issue effectively without having to completely disassemble the bed.
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Thierryzar16 Jan 2022 16:03Apply lubricants preferably only to the metal parts, not directly on the wood. WD-40 or a specific silicone spray works quite well because they do not remain sticky and do not retain moisture.
Surela schrieb:
Wood reacts strongly to changes in moisture, which slightly alters its dimensions and can cause assembly stresses. That’s interesting; I live in a relatively humid environment. Can the changing moisture content really have such a significant impact on squeaking, even if everything is assembled properly? And how would you permanently address this issue?
Yes, moisture has a significant impact on wooden furniture since wood is hygroscopic. It absorbs moisture from the air or releases it, causing swelling and shrinking processes. This leads to changes in stress conditions within the material and at joints. In furniture like the Malm bed, this can create stresses that cause occasional squeaking.
To counteract this over the long term, it is advisable to maintain the indoor humidity consistently between 40-60%. A moisture meter (hygrometer) can be helpful for monitoring. Using a humidifier or dehumidifier can reduce fluctuations and thus minimize stress on the wood.
To counteract this over the long term, it is advisable to maintain the indoor humidity consistently between 40-60%. A moisture meter (hygrometer) can be helpful for monitoring. Using a humidifier or dehumidifier can reduce fluctuations and thus minimize stress on the wood.
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Alberto5118 Jan 2022 07:23I’m familiar with this squeaking; it can get quite annoying, especially at night. After tightening the screws and applying some silicone spray to the metal joints, it improved significantly. However, I’ve noticed that the squeaking sometimes returns if I haven’t worked on the bed for a while. I suspect it may also be related to how you move or the amount of weight applied. Sometimes a few adjustments help to ‘settle’ the bed. I’ve noticed this psychological effect myself, even though it’s more of a side note 🙂
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