Updated: | Category: Bedroom
Author: Omar Alonso | Editor: Omar Alonso
Review & Research: Jen Worst & Chris Miller
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Are you noticing squeaking when you get into bed? We're not talking about mice squeaking but rather a noisy bedframe that's irritating you and interrupting your sleep. If you turn in bed and hear squeaking, it's enough to give you a hard night's sleep. A squeaky metal bed frame is a huge problem.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent a metal bed frame from squeaking. This post looks at what causes the squeaking and how to avoid it.
Why Does My Metal Bed Frame Squeak?
The squeaking sound can come from your mattress or the frame, but it's more common that the frame is the source of the sound. It's a good idea to rest each component of the bed frame to isolate where the noise is coming from.
In the case of squeaky bed frames, the source of the issue usually comes from friction between the frame's components. Also, the wooden edges of the box springs may rub against the frame's foundation. Or the joints connecting frame components are loose and require tightening. Loose parts create friction and excessive noise.
Humidity Causes Swelling That Increases Friction
If you have a wooden bedframe, it might swell when the weather is humid or rainy. The wood soaks the moisture from the air and expands, creating pressure on the joints, and squeaking. Most wooden bed frames are untreated, so if you live in a coastal environment or around a large lake, the humidity may affect the porous wood in the frame.
Oiling and/or coating the frame with polyurethane can help with this, though you'll have to take the bed apart to do this, and the coating can wear off over time with the rubbing in the joints that occurs.
Friction is the Immediate Cause of Squeaking
Friction often occurs in metal frames with polished finishes. The mattress fabric might rub against the metal, creating a squeak. This is especially true if you have an active sleeping style and toss and turn during the night.
Parts of a Bed Frame That Can Squeak
The first step to stopping the squeaking is to locate the part of the frame causing the noise. All metal bed frames require assembly, and there are several frame components to check depending on construction and materials used.
Joints
The joints in the frame are spots where two parts of the structure connect. For instance, the outer frame and legs, the outer perimeter, and the slats. These points can create squeaking when they experience pressure or wear out.
Slats
Standard frames feature slats made of metal or wood or feature mesh-like construction. The metal parts can rub on each other because you overtightened the nuts and bolts when you built the frame or because they experience wear and tear, causing rattling or squeaking.
Bars
Bed frames featuring minimalist design might not have slats. Instead, they have a central support bar and an outer perimeter. These parts can become loose, creating friction that results in squeaking.
Legs
The legs on the bed frame are another source of squeaking. Check the areas where they connect to the frame for loose fasteners.
Headboard
The headboard could be the source of the squeaky metal bed frame sounds. Pull it a few inches away from the wall if it's rubbing against it. Ensure the screws holding the headboard to the frame are tight. Screws usually have a metal washer between the screw head and the bed frame.
How to Stop a Metal Bed From Squeaking in 12 Ways
It's time to treat the problem after localizing the spots in the frame responsible for creating the squeak. If you're dealing with several squeaky components, you'll need to mark them with white-out or nail polish to ensure you don't forget them.
The last thing you want is to think you have the problem licked, only to climb into bed and hear squeaking – that's super frustrating. I've even heard of people getting a noise complaint from apartment neighbors over their squeaky beds. Here are a couple of strategies you can use to stop the squeak.
1) Soap or Wax the Frame
If you have squeaky joints in the frame, you'll need to lubricate them to stop the friction. You can use a lubricant to do the job or materials like soap or candle wax on the squeaky spots.
Remove the fasteners and rub the material of your choice into the area until it's fully coated, then tighten it back up again. The material breaks the surface tension, eliminating the squeak.
2) Cork the Frame
You can also create space between the joints to limit friction and stop the squeak. If the joints in the frame are worn and rubbing, you can prevent them from making contact by slipping cork into them. Wedge cork or plywood into the joint, and you'll find the noise stops.
Chip away a piece of cork or plywood and press it into the joint until you secure the frame. Place bits of cork in the outer perimeter where the slats touch, preventing future squeaks.
3) Tighten the Nuts & Bolts
If loose surfaces rub on each other, the frame squeaks. Check the frame and tighten all the nuts and bolts. Don't apply too much pressure, or you'll strip the threads in the fasteners, making them loose again. The looseness can create the squeaky metal bed frame noises as that allows rubbing that otherwise wouldn't occur.
Also, you won't be able to part the fasteners, causing you to cut them off. That's a daunting task, especially if you don't have the right tools. You can also change to plastic washers to reduce friction and remove the squeak. Plastic washers are softer and prevent metal surfaces from rubbing and squeaking.
4) Spray Joints with WD-40
Metal types of bed frames are prone to rust. If you have an old frame, the joints might have worn away the protective coating sprayed on it at the factory. When the bare metal is exposed, it starts to corrode and rust, creating a squeak.
Spray some WD-40 on the joints. This lubricant also loosens and removes rust from bare metal. You should notice an immediate alleviation in the squeaking. You don't have to use WD-40. Specifically, any hydrocarbon-based lubricant will do the job.
Spray a generous application of the lubricant on the joints and wait 15 minutes. Wipe down the joints, and you should find the squeak is gone. Severely corroded joints may require you to disassemble the frame and treat the joints, removing all the corrosion before reassembly.
5) Use a Sock
Use a sock to prevent squeaking if your bed frame features a lock-in slat-style fixing system. Place it on the end of the slat going into the slot. Reassemble the frame and secure the slat. The sock prevents the metal surfaces from contacting each other, removing the squeak.
6) Wrap Joints with Electrical Tape
If you just bought a new bed with a metal frame, try this hack as a preventative strategy to prevent future squeaking. Wrap electrical tape around the contact areas of the structure and pierce the fastener holes. Assemble the frame as normal. The tape provides a similar action as a plastic washer, preventing contact with the metal.
7) Use Rubber Feet on the Legs
You might find the legs are the source of the squeak. If your bed frame sits on tiles, concrete, or linoleum floors, the contact with the metal produces a squeak. You can purchase plastic rubber feet or add casters to the legs to prevent squeaking.
8) Level the Floor
If the floor isn't level, it stresses the bed frame joints. Maybe it's not even your bed squeaking, but squeaky floors or a structural problem (doubtful). The uneven weight distribution across the frame results in distortions on the joints, producing the squeak. Use spacers under the feet to level out the structure and change the dynamics of the stress across it, eliminating the squeak.
9) Rotate the Mattress
Rotating the mattress might also correct imbalances in the frame, causing a speak. Flip the mattress over, rotate it from head to toe, and see if it makes a difference to the noise. Make sure your type of mattress can be flipped over, though. Not all are designed for that, but all can be rotated.
10) Wrap Your Bed Frame in Fabric
Some manufacturing brands utilize a fabric cover for the bed frame to stop speaking. If your bed doesn't come from the factory with this feature, you can achieve the same effect using a fitted bed sheet.
11) Use Baby Powder
As a last resort, try using talcum powder to stop the squeaky metal bed frame disruption. Coat the joints in baby powder and reassemble the frame. The powder reduces friction between the joints, eliminating the squeak.
12) Keep Humidity Under Control
Humidity is a big cause of squeaking problems in metal bed frames. If you live in a humid environment at the coastline or around a large lake, the air gets more humid than at high elevations inland.
If you don't have air-conditioning in your bedroom, it may cause corrosion of the joints in the bed frame, leading to a squeaking problem. Humidity creates a corrosion problem, leading to squeaking in metal and even wooden bed frames.
FAQ’s on a Squeaking Metal Bed Frame
Here are a couple of common questions that always arise when people think about why their metal bed frame is squeaky. Let's cover those so you aren't left wondering.
Are Metal or Wooden Bed Frames More Prone to Develop Squeaking Issues?
Both wood and metal are prone to developing squeaking issues. Over-tightening fasteners on both materials might create squeaking, as does elevated humidity in the bedroom. Metal bed frames typically have more problems with squeaking because there's more that can go wrong with the joints.
What's the Fastest Method to Stop a Metal Bed Frame From Squeaking?
The best way to prevent metal bed frames from squeaking is to glue sticky foam tape to the outer perimeter of the bed frame when assembling it. This action reduces the potential for future contact between the metal surfaces in the joints.
Squeaky Metal Bed Frame No More!
All bed frames eventually start to squeak, even wooden ones. Fortunately, this post gives you plenty of strategies to resolve the issue and get a good night's sleep. When a metal frame bed squeaks, the key fixes are usually lubrication, leveling, tightening, and padding. Eradicate that squeaky metal bed frame using the tips above and sleep soundly.
You'll Also Enjoy:
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Author: Omar Alonso
Omar has over twenty years of experience as a professional handyman and electrician, with an emphasis in HVAC, general maintenance and repairs, and interior and exterior construction. He shares this knowledge with us as a writer on these topics. He is also voracious reader. Omar serves as editor for our editorial team, author, and as a source of endless information for our researchers. Learn more on Omar's author page and all about Worst Room here.
FAQs
How do I stop a metal bed from squeaking? ›
For metal bed frames, or any foundation with metal bolts or screws, applying lubrication can help. Products like WD-40 can be easily applied to joint areas, which often reduces noise. If tightening and lubricating the bed's joints does not fix the problem, the source of the noise is likely elsewhere.
Why does my metal bed frame squeak so much? ›Why do beds squeak? All beds, whether they're made of wood or metal, have joints. If these joints start rubbing against one another because they've come loose over time, the friction between the two surfaces as they rub together will cause that characteristic squeak.
What can I put between bed frame and mattress to stop squeaking? ›Apply WD-40 spray or a similar silicone lubricant to the joints where the frame parts connect. One coat or so is effective for minimizing squeaks, but you may need to reapply the WD-40 every few months. If you don't have silicone lubricants, try applying candle wax, paraffin, or beeswax to the joints.
Can you use WD-40 on a squeaky bed? ›Spray WD-40 on each individual spring (or anywhere there's metal) to lubricate the areas that may be responsible for your squeaks. Use a stapler to reseal the backing, put the box spring and mattress back on the frame, and try them out.
What do you spray on squeaky metal? ›Silicone spray is excellent for fixing squeaky hinges and is widely available both online and in DIY stores. Silicone spray is free from mineral oils and grease, and safe to use on a variety of surfaces as a lubricant including plastic, rubber and metal.
How can I make my metal bed frame more stable? ›Add slats. A great way to turn a regular bed frame into a super-strong one is to add extra slats in between the metal of the frame. Adding slats will add extra support and take pressure off of the existing frame when weight is applied to the bed. You can buy slats from most hardware stores or online.
How do I stop my bed frame from squeaking Reddit? ›If all you want to do is get rid of the squeak, put rubber washers on the bolts between the joints. If you have large wood to wood joints, you can fill them with silicone caulk as well.
What causes metal to squeak? ›This phenomenon is called "stick-slip" and it is caused by the friction and surface roughness. however, the resultant noise is governed by the geometry of the components.
Why does my bed creak when I move? ›Squeaky bed frames are often the result of a loose bolt or warped piece of wood and are usually a relatively simple at-home fix. If the bolts become loose, the bed frame might become slightly wobbly, while a water stain or change in humidity might cause a wooden bed frame to warp slightly, leading to a squeak.
Why does my bed creak when I get in? ›Just like metal beds, the most common reason for squeaky beds is loose joints. Check and tighten any screws or bolts at the joints to ensure portions of the bed aren't rubbing against one another.
Which bed frame squeaks the least? ›
Typically, solid wood or solid metal platform beds are the best type of bed frame that doesn't squeak. This is because they have less of a setup, are durable and not prone to warping, and let sleepers skip over having a box spring — which can cause noise down the road.
Can you use olive oil spray instead of WD-40? ›Olive oil can also work as a WD-40 replacement for metal or plastic areas that need loosening. Plus, its light scent makes it a good choice for applications that might be sensitive to odor. Like vegetable oil, wherever it's applied may call it to become a dust magnet, as well as being sticky.
Does oil fix a creaky bed? ›Oil The Joints:
Rusting of the joints in the bed frame is also a significant cause of squeaky beds. Oiling the joints with any vegetable oil can help to keep the joints smooth and get rid of any noises.
Once you are sure that the hinges are clean, you need to re-lubricate the hinges to stop the squeaking. WD-40 acts as an amazing lubricant and keeps things greased for a while. Tip: You can even lubricate the door locks.
What is the best lubricant for squeaky metal? ›Silicone Spray
A popular choice that many choose to stop doors making a squeaking sound is to spray the hinge with some silicone. Available at most good hardware stores, it's free from grease and oil and is safe to use on wood, metal, plastic, and rubber.
A white lubricant, lithium grease is considered an all-purpose lubrication solution. It can be used to lubricate in applications involving metal-on-metal, or even metal-on-plastic. It effectively helps reduce unwanted friction and encourages components to move far more smoothly.
What oil stops squeaking? ›SQUEAKSGONE IS THE ULTIMATE SQUEAKS REMOVER: A few drops, wait a minute and squeaks are gone. Let it penetrate. Wipe off any excess - won't attract dust or dirt.
What are the disadvantages of metal bed frame? ›Poor quality metal bed frames will not be capable of handling the weight and so they will not last long. Metal beds are heavy and can be challenging to move these beds when you move houses. As metals can absorb heat, metal beds might not be ideal for you if you live in areas with extreme temperatures.
How do you cushion a metal bed frame? ›- Pipe insulating sleeves.
- Pillow.
- String or twine (optional)
- Bed pads.
- Sweatpants.
Bed frame life expectancy: Wooden bed frames with slats typically last 7-10 years if properly maintained, while metal bed frames last 15 years or more.
What makes a platform bed squeak? ›
The most common reason why wooden beds squeak is because of loose joints. When the surfaces of two parts of the bed frame are not pushed up tight together, they rub against each other every time the bed moves and this creates a creaking sound.
Do adjustable bed frames squeak? ›An adjustable bed on a steel bed frame, wooden bed frame, wooden supports, or steel supports can cause excess noise due to the vibration of the framing. Eliminating as many points of contact as possible will cut down on excess noise.
What does dry ice do to metal? ›Dry Ice changes directly from a solid to a gas -sublimation- in normal atmospheric conditions without going through a wet liquid stage. THE EXPERIMENT: When metal is placed against dry ice, the metal will usually make a loud screaming noise.
How do I stop squeaking? ›- Eradicate That Squeak. The squeaking occurs because of the rubbing of the hinges. ...
- Scrub It Away With Soap. Some people swear by a traditional bar of soap. ...
- Rub In Some Vegetable Or Olive Oil. ...
- Spray Away With Hairspray. ...
- Spread Some Talcum Powder. ...
- Petroleum Jelly. ...
- WD-40.
Dry ice is a lot of fun to use for making noise. Touching metal objects to a block of dry ice creates some really cool squealing/whistling/screeching sounds. This is because the metal surface is much warmer than the dry ice and it causes the dry ice to quickly turn to gas.
Do metal beds creak a lot? ›Do metal bed frames squeak? It's no secret that metal bed frames, older ones in particular, suffer from squeaking problems. While the cause isn't always clear, poor build quality is usually one of the major indications of a noisy bed frame. Thankfully, you can prevent this disturbance thanks to a few quick fixes.
How do you stop metal furniture from squeaking? ›Another way to reduce friction and prevent squeaking is to use lubricants on the metal components. You can use WD-40, silicone spray, or any other type of lubricant that's safe for metal. Apply the lubricant to the joints, screws, and bolts on the frame, and move the bed around to distribute it evenly.
How do you lubricate a bed frame? ›Using WB-40, oil, or another lubricant to the screws, bolts, and corners of your bed frame may reduce the friction in the frame that causes squeaking and other noises. If you have a wooden bed frame, you can also try adding wax to the areas of your frame where pieces of wood touch one another to reduce friction.
Why does everything creak at night? ›During the day, warmer temperatures cause the house to expand. Cooler temperatures cause the structure of a house to contract. Therefore, sounds are often heard at night – after the sun has gone down and the house is cooling.
How do I stop my bed from hitting the wall? ›Grab two or more rubber bumpers like these ones, also known as door stoppers, peel their self-adhesive back, and stick them either on the wall surface where the headboard hits the wall, or on each corner of the headboard. The product protects the wall from scratches and helps minimize rattling noises.
Are wood or metal beds quieter? ›
Wooden bed frames are the preferred choice for a quieter night's sleep. The bed structure is less likely to separate due to the stiffness of the material, which results in no noise. In the middle of the night, metal beds are more likely to cause a ruckus.
Do you need a headboard on a bed? ›A headboard is an optional part of your bed, so it's completely fine to go without. Most people today consider headboards a decorative piece of furniture, even though there are other uses for them. Can You Use One Headboard For Two Twin Beds? Yes, in most cases you can use one headboard for two twin beds.
Are Ikea bed frames noisy? ›In fact, this is a common problem with all IKEA beds. The first time you assemble them they seem snug and tight, but after a year or two of sleeping (and other bedroom activities), the joints start to loosen, and so begins the dreaded squeak. Every time you turn over or reposition yourself, you hear it.
What product is better than WD-40? ›It's hard to find a pantry without some type of cooking oil inside. Whether it's olive, canola, or vegetable oil, its uses can extend past the kitchen as a cheap WD-40 alternative. The greasy texture of cooking oil makes it a great lubricant, and it's a good multipurpose oil, too.
What is a household lubricant? ›These include aloe vera, yogurt, olive oil, and virgin coconut oil. People should avoid the use of petroleum jelly, lotion, butter, or spit as lubricant alternatives, due to the increased risk of infection or irritation.
Does Pam make an olive oil spray? ›Made with extra virgin olive oil, Pam® Cooking Spray is perfect for use on your skillets, pans, and other cookware for extra-easy cleanup. After dinner, spend more time enjoying dessert and less time cleaning up. PAM Olive Oil Cooking Spray has 0 calories and no fat per serving.
When should you not use WD-40? ›It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40.
How long should you let WD-40 sit? ›This rust-removal formula has no toxic fumes, does not use acids or caustic chemicals, is non-irritating to skin, and is safe to use on most metals. To remove light rust, leave parts in the solution for 1-3 hours. To remove heavy rust, leave parts in the rust removal solution overnight.
What is the best spray for squeaky suspension? ›A temporary solution is to soak that noisy area with spray-on lithium grease. A helper can bounce the car up and down while you crawl around underneath and track down that squeak. If the sound is from a rubber suspension bushing, silicone spray is better.
Why does my bed make a noise when I move? ›Squeaky bed frames are often the result of a loose bolt or warped piece of wood and are usually a relatively simple at-home fix. If the bolts become loose, the bed frame might become slightly wobbly, while a water stain or change in humidity might cause a wooden bed frame to warp slightly, leading to a squeak.
Why does metal on metal squeak? ›
This phenomenon is called "stick-slip" and it is caused by the friction and surface roughness. however, the resultant noise is governed by the geometry of the components.
How do you isolate a bed from noise? ›Hang heavy curtains or drapes on windows (you could even try hanging heavy material on an adjoining wall to soak up some sound if nothing else works). Roll up a towel or other material and place it at the bottom of the bedroom door. You can also hang towels on windows if you don't have curtains at the time.
What does bed squeaking sound mean? ›A squeaky bed almost always means that your mattress is worn out and you are most likely bottoming out, and the springs are no longer providing the support it once provided to your hips, your knees, your back, and your neck.
How do I make my furniture less squeaky? ›Paraffin wax applied directly to the wood, makes a quick fix for squeaky knock-down joints. Itu2019s sold in the grocery store as canning wax, and in craft stores as candle wax.
Why does metal make so much noise? ›Metals tend to be highly sonorous, and they will make a clearly audible sound when they are hit with something like a hammer or mallet. This is because metals have a sea of delocalized electrons which can propagate the incoming kinetic energy as an outward moving sound wave.
What is the best lubricant for squeaky suspension? ›In conclusion, silicone grease and lithium-based grease are the best options for lubricating rubber suspension bushings due to their excellent lubrication properties and compatibility with rubber.
Why does the sound of metal bother me? ›Misophonia is a disorder in which certain sounds trigger emotional or physiological responses that some might perceive as unreasonable given the circumstance. Those who have misophonia might describe it as when a sound “drives you crazy.” Their reactions can range from anger and annoyance to panic and the need to flee.
Why are IKEA beds so noisy? ›In fact, this is a common problem with all IKEA beds. The first time you assemble them they seem snug and tight, but after a year or two of sleeping (and other bedroom activities), the joints start to loosen, and so begins the dreaded squeak. Every time you turn over or reposition yourself, you hear it.