How to fix a squeaky bed frame

A squeaky bed frame could be very annoying. Especially so when you have little babies who are easy to wake up from any noise. There are many possible reasons why your bed frame could be noisy. Read on to find the fix which works for you. Note that many solutions do apply to both, metal and wooden frames.

How to find where frame noise is coming from

To avoid reassembling the whole bed frame you could want to first find where the noise is coming from. The best way to do so is to slowly crawl all over the bed carefully listening for the source of the noise. If doesn't work, try light moves while on the bed. It could trigger the noise you are looking for. Whether you succeeded or not, below are some ways to make the bed frame silent again.

Add floor pads for legs

Probably the easiest possible fix could be to add frame legs pads or wool stickers. If the noise is actually coming from the legs, you are lucky. A few dollars on a set of wool furniture pads could be the solution. Get those, stick them to the legs, and see if the squeaks are gone.

Tighten bolts, nuts and screws

Over time after using the bed frame for a long time, some wood could dry out which loosens screws and joints. For a metal frame, there could be some wear at the joints which also allows for squeaks to appear. Check if all the bolts, nuts, screws and joints are tight enough to not allow any play. This fix works best with the next one.

Lubricate frame parts

Does not matter if it is a metal or a wood frame, lubricating points of contact could yield great results. Though you will first need to do partial disassembly, it does worth it. For lubrication, you can use wax or no-odor silicone lubricant.

There are suggestions to use WD-40 or automotive grease, but the disadvantage of those is the smell. Given you want to have fresh air in the bedroom, try to avoid such options. Though, for a metal frame, little amounts of automotive grease could still be acceptable. If you decide to use it, try to apply only what is required. Also, wipe dry any excess so that it does not leave any marks on the bed fabric and does not smell.

Place cork or plywood between mattress and bed frame

Though the tips above should resolve the issue, there is a chance the noise is coming from the mattress rubbing the bed frame. It is easy to test if such is the case.

Take off the mattress, cover the bed frame with a few large towels or a blanket, and put the mattress back on. If the noise is gone, here is a more permanent solution: Put away the cover you added and place a large piece of cork which would be of the size of the mattress between the mattress and the bed frame. An alternative to adding a cork would be to use a few pieces or a large piece of plywood if you can find the right fit. The point is to put it all over the bed frame so that the mattress is touching only the plywood instead of the bed frame. Pro tip: waxing the whole bottom part of the plywood should not allow new squeaks to be introduced with it. Once done, the noise should not be back.

Adjust legs spacing or move the bed

It could be that the floor spot where the bed frame is located is not even or is not solid enough.

If the floor is solid, but just not even enough, try locating the bed frame leg which is the lowest on the floor (usually the one closer to the center of a room). Then add an extra floor pad or two to that leg. It could resolve the noise issue.

If the floor is not solid enough, try finding a better spot for the bed. Just moving it to a different part of the room could be the best solution.

Consider replacing the bed frame

As the extreme last resort, consider replacing the bed frame you have with a new one. Sometimes it could be that some separate part is faulty or the bed frame is overall in a rough shape. In such cases, there is little alternative to replacing it. It is not cheap but could be acceptable in some situations.