Updated at: 22-07-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Most of us can only obtain a good night’s sleep in an absolutely silent room. However, there are occasions when we can’t get comfortable because of the sounds around us. The worst possible situation is a noisy bed, as it prevents restful sleep and makes it harder to fall asleep in the first place. However, why does a bed squeak and how may it be fixed?

How to Fix a Squeaky Bed

The first step in fixing a squeaky bed is to locate the source of the noises, after which you can try to fix the issue on your own. This is a detailed explanation of how to silence that pesky squeaking in your bed.

1. Identify the Source

To begin, you must ascertain the origin of the sounds. There are three major components of a bed that could be making noise: the mattress, the box spring, and the bed frame or foundation.

How to Fix a Squeaky Bed: 9 Tips | Casper Blog

If you have an all-foam mattress, the squeaking must be coming from the frame or the floor. There is an increased potential for noise from the metal springs found in innerspring and hybrid mattresses. The mattress can be removed from an innerspring or hybrid bed and placed on the floor. You can test for noises by lying on it and moving around. The metal springs in your mattress are likely to blame if it is creating noise.

If the noise is coming from the mattress itself, you will probably need to get a new one. You might try contacting the manufacturer to see if there is any warranty coverage for this issue, but it’s highly doubtful that most warranties would apply.

If you have a noisy box spring, the source is probably the metal coils. Getting a new box spring is the best option here. Many modern mattresses don’t need a box spring and are actually damaged by them.

If your bed frame or foundation is the source of the noise, there are several do-it-yourself solutions you can attempt.

2. Tighten Joints

Joints, usually made of metal bolts or screws, are used to attach the various parts of a bed frame or foundation. There is a considerable chance that the squeaking is coming from these places, therefore addressing them will go a long way toward quieting your bed.

First, using the appropriate tool (wrench or screwdriver), tighten all of the bed frame’s joints. Metal-on-metal connections are noisy, so you might want to use plastic washers to get a snugger fit.

Perform another round of noise testing. The next step should be taken if the problem still exists.

3. Lubricate Joints

Applying lubricant to metal bed frames, especially frames with metal bolts or screws, can help with movement. Applying a product like WD-40 to a joint is a quick and simple way to dampen vibrations and squeaks.

If the noise persists after you’ve tightened and lubricated the bed’s joints, the fault most likely lies elsewhere.

4. Cushion the Frame

Mattress-frame/foundation friction is a common source of nighttime noise. In such a circumstance, placing a cushioned layer between the bed’s frame and mattress (or box spring) may be helpful.

Gather some thin textiles (such old socks, T-shirts, felt, or kitchen towels) for this purpose. The mattress and base or bed frame should then be returned to their original positions. This should lessen the noise and wear and tear.

By following these procedures, you will be able to pinpoint the origin of the noise and, hopefully, resolve the issue. Some further troubleshooting steps are as follows, in case the noise persists:

  • To lessen the noise transmission between the bed’s frame and the floor, you can attach furniture pads to the legs of the bed.
  • Make sure your bed is level with the floor to lessen the swaying. When necessary, you can level things out by placing extra padding under some legs.
  • For quieter and less squeaky sleeping, remove the bed’s wheels and replace them with caster cups. You could also just use furniture pads instead of wheels.
  • Check for places where two pieces of wood are touching each other and making noise. Beeswax (or candle wax) can be applied gently to the region in question in order to minimize friction.

What Causes a Bed to Squeak?

The mattress, the box spring, the frame, or a combination of these can all be the source of that squeaking sound. To isolate the problem, it is best to test each part individually.

How to Fix a Squeaky Bed: 9 Tips | Casper Blog

The squeaking of innerspring and hybrid mattresses is a common sign of wear and age. Noise increases as the metal coils in these devices wear down and begin to brush against one another. However, since there are no metal springs in a foam or latex mattress, neither will squeak.

Like innerspring mattresses, box springs have hundreds of metal coils that, over time, can rub together more, causing an annoying squeaking sound. Squeaky beds require replacement of both the mattress and the box spring.

Bed frames and foundations that make too much noise usually have parts that rub against one another. There is a possibility of wood wear and tear between the box spring and the sub-frame. It’s also possible that the frame’s components aren’t correctly fastened together, leading to excessive noise and wear on the joints.

Squeaking can also be caused by friction between the bed and the floor or walls, although this is a less likely explanation. When this occurs, it’s typically because of a lack of padding between the mattress and the floor or an uneven base (like a shaky leg).

Why Does My Bed Squeak?

Wear and tear from nightly use might cause a bed to squeak after a while. But how do you identify the source of the noise?

Mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and bed springs are common culprits in the squeaking sound experienced by bed occupants. There may be some trial and error involved in locating the source of the squeaking in your bed.

Squeaky Mattress

You may establish the general area where your mattress makes noise by pressing onto various spots on the mattress and shifting positions. Is it underneath your regular sleeping quarters? Could it be in a corner?

A squeaky hybrid spring mattress is probably due to the innerspring. The inconvenient inability to replace the innerspring indicates the need for a replacement mattress.

Squeaky Box Spring

Most noisy beds can be traced back to a broken box spring. If you haven’t been able to locate the source of the squeak in your mattress, the box spring may be to blame. Since the box spring’s wood frame is probably the source of the squeak, there is usually a simple solution that can be done at home.

A lot of people who don’t like dealing with the occasional box spring squeak opt instead for a bed without one, called a platform bed frame. Platform beds, as opposed to box springs, feature a solid base that supports the mattress directly.

Squeaky Bed Frame

A loose bolt or warped piece of wood is frequently the cause of a squeaky bed frame, and both are easy to repair yourself. A wooden bed frame may creak if it warps ever-so-slightly due to water damage or changes in humidity, or if the bolts break loose and cause the bed to sway.

If the squeak isn’t coming from the mattress or box spring, it’s probably coming from the bed frame. Read on for some suggestions on how to quiet that annoying squeak coming from your bed’s frame.

How to Fix A Squeaky Bed Frame or Box Spring

Some squeaky beds can be fixed at home without replacing the mattress if the noise isn’t coming from the mattress. For some ingenious advice on quieting a squeaky bed frame or box spring, please read on.

4. Check the Joints

Bed frames that make noise often have bolts that aren’t tightened all the way. Check the joints of your frame for loose bolts before taking any more harsh actions. Applying WD-40 to the hinges and other moving parts could help prevent future problems.

5. Cushion the Slats

Squeaky bed frames can also be caused by the slats rubbing against the frame or each other. Put some old socks, shirts, or towels between the slats and the frame to create a fast noise-cancelling cushion and dampen any noise coming from the slats.

6. Oil the Frame

Get some WD-40 and spray the offending joint in your metal bed frame. Beeswax or candle wax can be used as a quick and easy wood-friendly replacement for those with wooden bed frames.

7. Use Cork

If you have a wooden bed frame and don’t want to use any kind of lubricant on it, you can attempt reducing noise by inserting pieces of cork between the noisy wood. The cork will act as a buffer between the two parts, temporarily quieting the squeak.

8. Add Floor Padding

If your bed is squeaking and you haven’t yet identified the source, consider expanding your search: an uneven floor may be to blame. Put a towel, an old t-shirt, or some folded sheets beneath the problematic frame legs to even things out a bit.

Your bed’s wheels could be the source of the problem if you have one. If the wheels are making a squeaking sound, try lubricating them with WD-40 and replacing the caster cups.

How To Stop A Bed From Squeaking (Tips To Eliminate The Noise)

9. Purchase a New Bed Frame

If the squeak persists despite your best efforts, a new bed frame might be in order. If you want to avoid another squeak problem, pick a flexible bed frame that complements your current decor and is well-made.

However, a box spring may be more comfortable if you’re used to sleeping on one.

Everyone can relate to the frustration of a squeaky bed. A squeaky bed is one of those things that most people won’t deal with until it becomes absolutely necessary, like a fly in the bedroom or a bit of dust on the windshield. Why subject yourself to a frustrating scenario where you know you’ll also have trouble sleeping?

Your health (and your peace of mind) will thank you for replacing a squeaky bed if you can’t find out how to fix it.