ᐅ Why does the Malm bed creak when you turn or move on it?

Created on: 11 Jun 2020 08:17
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Ryen68
Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I bought the Malm bed from IKEA. I’ve noticed that it regularly squeaks when turning during sleep, which is quite annoying. My question is: why does the Malm bed squeak when turning?

I suspect the noise might come from the connection points between the individual wooden parts or possibly from the support of the slatted frame. Are there common areas or causes where this model tends to squeak more often? And most importantly – how can this issue be fixed permanently without causing any damage or compromising stability?

I look forward to your opinions, tips, and experiences!
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Nauman5
11 Jun 2020 10:55
Ryen68 schrieb:
I’m a bit worried about applying too much force and stripping the thread or damaging the wood.

That’s understandable. Especially with chipboard, which many flat-pack furniture items are made from, the material can be delicate. My advice: start by screwing in gently, then tighten until you feel firm resistance—nothing that causes cracking sounds or damages the material.

If you notice that the thread isn’t holding well anymore, you could try a larger screw with a washer or secure it with wood glue. But first, see if simply tightening a bit more helps.

Also, for squeaky furniture, felt pads on the internal contact points often help. Just give it a try! 😉
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JAMESONB41
11 Jun 2020 11:10
Do you also secure your slatted frame to the bed frame? Sometimes squeaking occurs if the slatted frame shifts.

You might try attaching felt strips between the slatted frame and the bed frame. This reduces noise and protects the materials at the same time.
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Garthre
11 Jun 2020 11:35
I would add that a combination of slight loosening and changes in humidity in the room can often increase squeaking.

One tip: Check if there are any loose or damaged wooden parts in the bed frame, such as dowels that might have shifted or become slightly damaged.

Additionally, installing thin felt or rubber strips at the contact points can help reduce friction and eliminate squeaking without affecting stability.
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Celia
11 Jun 2020 13:58
Garthre schrieb:
In addition, applying thin felt or rubber strips at contact points can help

That's exactly how I did it with my Malm. Simply stick a few strips of felt between the joints, and since then, no annoying noises. It’s quick and inexpensive.
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Ryen68
11 Jun 2020 14:15
Thank you for the many helpful responses!

What I can add is that the bed is placed on a somewhat uneven carpet. Could that also play a role?

I’m not sure if the unevenness causes additional stress that increases the squeaking. I will test this by placing a piece of wood under the bed.

I will try all the tips this evening and report back here.
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Nauman5
11 Jun 2020 20:40
Ryen68 schrieb:
The bed is placed on a slightly uneven carpet. Could that also be a factor?

Absolutely! A wobbly bed means that different parts of the frame are under uneven stress. That’s where the squeaky joints start.

A simple board, a sturdy wooden panel, or special furniture feet for leveling can work wonders. The bed should stand stable and flat—that’s half the battle against squeaking.

Good luck taming the screw-grinding dynamics! ;-)