Nothing is as annoying as a squeaky bed when all you want is a quiet and peaceful night.
While you may bury your head under the pillow for some time, the truth is that a squeaky bed will affect the quality of your sleep.
If your sleep gets affected, your health will also suffer at the end of the day. Fortunately, this is an easy fix to the problem.
Below we discuss how to fix a squeaky bed in 10 simple ways.
How to Fix A Squeaky Bed Frame: Common Ways To Fix Noisy Bed
· Plastic washers
Introducing washers is included in the list of how to fix a squeaky bed in three simple steps. Squeaks may occur when two metal surfaces rub against each other.
By merely swapping metal washers for metallic ones, you can permanently take care of a noisy bed frame.
If there are no washers where bolts and screws are used, use plastic washers between the bolts and frame before tightening the bolts.
· Even legs
An uneven floorboard may cause squeaky beds. Where this is the case, you can slip some folded cloth under any of the legs that are not adequately touching the floor.
If possible, push your bed to an area where the floor is even.
How to Fix a Squeaky Wooden Frame
a) Locate the Squeak
Locating the area where the squeak comes from should be your first course of action.
This will be much quicker if you can get someone else to help. One of you should rock the bed as the other works to isolate the noise.
b) Tighten the Screws
If there are screws that need to be tightened, you will first need to remove the mattress from the bed altogether.
Even if you have already identified the area where the squeak is coming from, ensure that all screws are tight.
You may need to add some screws in areas where the wood planks are not adequately secured together.
c) Readjust Frame
Once all the screws and bolts are tight, work to readjust areas of the frame where no fasteners are used.
Make sure that the bedframe is well balanced and can support your weight without any damage to different parts of the bed.
You can do some research on how to fix a squeaky bed by readjusting the frame to see common problem areas and the steps involved when adjusting the bedframe.
d) Lubricate the Frame
This step follows after you have already tightened all the bolts and screws, and the noise persists.
Avoid using lubricants such as cooking oil WD-40, or chemical lubricants on wooden frames.
While these may be effective in taking care of the squeak, they smell not to mention the fact that they also collect dust. Bee wax is an excellent lubricant where squeaky beds are concerned.
It helps that the wax does not soak into the wood; hence, its integrity is maintained. If you need a quick fix, rub good candle wax on the squeaky part.
Paraffin is another good lubricant you can use for squeaky beds.
A lubricant can be used anywhere two surfaces are rubbing against each other. Lubricate the screws if necessary, and do not forget those areas where wood planks are rubbing against each other.
How to Fix a Metal Bed Frame
a) Find the source
Just like in the case of a wooden frame, you need to identify the source of the squeak. You can do this by sitting on different edges of the bed and bouncing until you identify the problem area.
Inspect the bed for shinny parts where the two could be rubbing against each other.
b) Spray Lubricant on connectors and springs
Find squeaky springs and connectors and spray them with a petroleum-based lubricant. WD-40 and vegetable oil can also be used in this case.
If lubrication is the problem, you should ensure that the frame is lubricated regularly, not just for the squeaks but also to safeguard the integrity of the bed frame.
c) Take the bed apart and reassemble it again
A bed may squeak because it is not assembled correctly. The only solution here is to ensure that the assembly is done right, and all parts are well-tightened using the right wrench.
A bed frame that is assembled right will not feel firm, but it should also be free of squeaks.
d) Candle wax
Candle wax is an excellent lubricant for both wooden and metallic beds. Rubbing candle wax in problem areas helps eliminate the noise without compromising the material used to make the bed.
It helps that candle wax does not smell or attract dust like other lubricants.
e) Use Electric Tape around the legs
You can wrap the electric tape around the legs where the rails and the frame are attached. To insert the screw attaching the rails, poke a hole through this tape.
The tape works as a cushion that prevents the metal parts from rubbing against each other.
What Are The Causes Of A Squeaky Bed?
· Loose Joints
Loose joints are the number one cause of squeaky beds. All that needs to be in such a situation is to tighten the bolts that secure the loose joints together.
Where a joint cannot be tightened securely using the blot, a washer can be placed between the frame and the bolt for that snug plus noise-free fit.
· Squeaky Mattress
An old mattress could the cause of bed squeaks. If yours is an old spring mattress, remove it from the bed and apply pressure in different parts. If some loose springs could be causing the squeak, the best solution is to get a new mattress.
· Broken Bed Slats
A bed may squeak if a slat is broken. You can eliminate this problem by replacing the defective parts. Other causes of squeaky beds include poorly fitted headboards, broken bed frames, and old-uneven mattresses.
Final Thought on fixing squeaky bed
These are some of the tried and tested tips on how to fix a squeaky bed. Whether you have a metallic or wooden bed, there is a lot you can do to eliminate squeaks.
Lubricating, tightening the frame, and readjusting all parts of the structure to their right position may be all you need to do handle squeaky beds.
If neither of the above works, you have to either replace the bed or mattress or address uneven floors once and for all.