How to Stop a Wooden Bed from Squeaking
A squeaking wooden bed is not only a sign that something could be wrong with your bed frame but also outright annoying. Particularly for very light sleepers, having a wooden bed that creaks every time you move can interrupt sleep and mean you wake up without the full night's rest you deserve. Noise at night that constantly wakes you up can stop you from entering the deep sleep stage of your sleep cycle. This means you'll wake up feeling cranky, stressed and tired throughout the day - not ideal!
At Happy Beds, we're all about helping you ensure you get a great night's sleep. If you're suffering from a creaking wooden bed, we're here to help. From how to identify the source of the issue to ways you can improve it, here is everything you need to know to fix your squeaky bed.
Why does my wooden bed creak when I move?
A wooden bed can creak for a variety of reasons. Loose joints, wood expanding because of heat, loose screws, loose bolts and broken or loose slats can all make beds noisier than you'd like. Sometimes, it can even be a squeaky mattress rather than your bed that is causing the issues.
So, first things first - you need to identify the source of the issue.
How to identify a creaking bed frame
You'll be able to identify a creaking bed frame quickly through the noise. However, you may not be entirely sure exactly where the source is. First, check that the squeaking noise is coming from the bed, not the mattress. To do this, remove the mattress from the bed frame and place it on the floor. Lie down on it and roll around - is the noise still happening? If not, the problem lies with the bed frame.
To check your bed, gently push the bed frame or rock it slowly from side to side, listening carefully to identify if there's a particular area the sound is coming from. From here, you may be able to pinpoint a loose screw or a broken slat.
How to fix a squeaky wooden bed frame
So, once you've discovered the issue, how do you fix it? Depending on where the problem is coming from, you can fix a squeaky or creaking wooden bed frame in a few ways. To help the issue…
1. Tighten up screws
Often, a squeak or noise from a wooden bed frame is simply due to a loose screw causing a loose joint on the bed. As the parts aren't tightly and securely attached, they'll make a noise as they move against each other.
This can be a problem with flat-pack furniture, especially if you've moved house and have dismantled and rebuilt the bed more than once. Rebuilding the bed can cause joints and screws to loosen over time, so we recommend avoiding disassembling and reassembling your bed once it's built.
Regularly checking and tightening joints can help with noise issues. If you still have the instructions and Allen keys that came with your bed, get these out and follow them, retightening any screws or fixtures that don't feel secure. You can also usually use a standard screwdriver to tighten screws. Usually, ensuring all the joints of your bed are fully secure will eliminate any annoying creaking sounds.
2. Replace wooden bed slats
You may find it's just the bed slats making a noise. Luckily, these are easily replaced, which is much more affordable than replacing the entire bed frame. When replacing slats, always measure your old slats and the bed to ensure they're the right size, as ill-fitting slats can be a safety issue.
3. Wax the joints
Beds will often squeak because of the friction between the joints. Applying wax to the joints helps reduce this friction and can usually rid you of frustrating creaking. For a wooden bed, you can buy specialist wax, regular paraffin, or candle wax. Simply rub it into the joints of the bed and reapply when needed for a quick, easy way to remedy a squeaky bed frame.
4. Replace the mattress
As mentioned, the issue is sometimes on your mattress rather than the bed frame. With an older sprung mattress, the inner springs can become squeaky over time, and, as they're internal, it's impossible to replace them. If your sprung mattress is extremely noisy, this is a good indication it could be time to replace it.
First, try rotating your mattress to see if this helps. It may be that the springs are squeaky from too much pressure when you sleep, so rotating the mattress can give the springs a break and help the problem.
A foam or spring-free mattress design is a much quieter option if you want a new mattress.
5. Check the positioning of your bed
If you can't find any issues with the bed frame, it may be creaking due to an uneven floor. You may have a rug that only sits underneath part of the bed, or your floor is naturally uneven. An uneven surface means more pressure is placed on certain joints, which can cause or worsen creaking.
Reposition your bed, and see if this helps with the noise. Alternatively, floor padding or cushioning underneath the bed legs can help reduce creaking caused by an uneven floor.
6. Upgrade your bed
If you've been through all these steps and still have issues with your wooden bed frame, it could be a sign that you should replace it. If your bed is older, low-quality or the joints and screws are continuously coming loose; it's likely time to think about buying a new bed before you experience further issues.
We have many options to explore if you are considering buying a new bed. Our wooden bed frames are perfect if you like the traditional style. They're timeless, will go with any décor style and are available in sizes ranging from toddler and single to super king size beds. Our wooden beds are also made with high-quality materials for designs that will last - so creaking, low-quality beds will quickly become a thing of the past!
If you have a creaking metal bed frame, we’ve got you covered too. Take a look at our guide on how to stop a metal bed from squeaking.