In a bedroom that’s supposed to be quiet and calm, especially at night time, dealing with a squeaky bed is far from ideal. There are a few reasons why your bed’s structure can be thrown off, leaving you with a frustrating sound at every toss and turn. It may be from a box spring reaching the end of its lifespan, loose connectors, or the humidity in your room, to name a few.
Fortunately, they are not impossible to fix. In fact, there are a few quick and easy ways to do it. With the help of some experts, we found six hacks to finally put that squeaky bed to rest so you can get some, too.
Support With Screws
When it comes to bed frames with supportive wooden slats, they just might be the source of the squeak, according to Caleb Ingraham, contractor and owner at North Seattle Handyman. When you move on the bed, the wooden slats that support the mattress or box spring might shift and make noise.
“This can be remedied by pre-drilling and installing screws every two feet to help with stability and minimize movement,” Ingraham says.
Also double check that your wooden slats are correctly placed flat since they can often shift around and result in squeaking.
Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!
Tighten Loose Fasteners and Bolts
Bed frames made from wood are typically held together with fasteners. Over time, they can loosen up and cause squeaking.
According to Geoff Walker, superintendent at ASAP Restoration LLC, the fix is as simple as tightening up any connections with a wrench or screwdriver. Similarly, with metal frames, all you have to do is tighten loose bolts.
Anastasiia Krivenok / Getty Images
Fill the Gaps
If you notice that your headboard is not secured and moves around a lot, it is most likely the cause of your bed squeaking.
“You’ll want to pull off your mattress and review for a loose connection,” Ingraham says.
If that is the case, turn to the hack above and tighten any fasteners or bolts. If you notice a gap between the bed and the headboard, you can also fill in the gap with wood shims to make it less wobbly.
Dehumidify the Room
Some beds are made with mortise and tenon joints, a woodworking method that connects two pieces of wood rather than metal bolts or fasteners. Walker says that these types of beds may get squeaky from moisture and water vapor gathering in the area from a humid room, which can easily happen during the warmer months. To fix the squeak, try dehumidifying the room to help minimize the friction between the wood joints, getting rid of any unwanted noise.
“Water expands wood, and extracting the vapor from the air can reduce the amount of moisture left in the wood and reduce squeaking,” Walker says.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Replace the Box Spring
If you have searched high and low for where the squeak is coming from, you might have to take a close look at your box spring. The longer you have and use a box spring, the more likely it is to develop a squeak over time. If the box spring is noisy, Ingraham recommends replacing it with a new one.
When in Doubt, Use Glue
If you have tried hack after hack and nothing seems to be working, you can always turn to glue. Walker recommends gluing together the joints of the bed frame to make it more stable. But only use this as a last resort—once you apply the glue, it’ll be difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
“Glue is a universal cure-all, but it also makes it nearly impossible to release any joints ever again, so you have to be sure of where you are applying it,” Walker says.
Try using a pencil to make markings before you place the glue just to be extra cautious.
