10 Easy Hacks to Fix a Squeaky Bed

Joint Problem

1/11

Loose joints are a common cause of a squeaky bed. Check all the bolts on your bed frame to see if they might be the source of your problem. If you find that any bolts are loose, use a wrench to tighten them. If you cannot manage to tighten a bolt securely, add a washer between the frame and the bolt to ensure a snug (and noise-free) fit.

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Put a Sock in It

2/11

This trick will let you make use of all those mismatched socks. First, lift the mattress off the bed frame, then line each slat with old socks (a sheet or an old T-shirt works too). The additional fabric serves as a buffer between the mattress and the metal or wood bed frame, eliminating any friction points and creating a noise barrier as well.

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Wax On

3/11

If you know the exact spot that the squeak is coming from, you can soothe it with a little wax. An easy way to locate the noisy spot is to listen closely while someone moves slowly across the bed. Once you’ve located the joint that’s causing problems, grab a wax candle and rub it all over the contact points. It may take a few coats of wax to get rid of the sound.

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Oil Up

4/11

Here's where a fully stocked garage will come in handy. Once you've located a problem area, grab a can of WD-40 and use it to lubricate the joint making the noise. If you don’t have WD-40 on hand, vegetable oil will also work in a pinch. Of course, this method works only if your bed frame is metal.

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Cork Competency

5/11

If you have a wooden bed frame, you don’t really have any bolts to tighten or joints to grease. Instead, try wedging small bits of cork between the mattress and the portions of the bed frame where the squeak is coming from. (You can also place cork around the pegs.) The cork cushioning will help tighten any loose spots and reduce noise.

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In the Heights

6/11

Don’t rule out the possibility that the squeak in your bed could actually be caused by uneven floorboards or the legs of your bed frame. Even things out by slipping a towel or folded sheet under the legs of the frame to ensure that they all touch the floor. Another option is to relocate your bed to a spot where the floorboards are even.

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A Book at Bedtime

7/11

Here's another clever trick. Once you've found the part of the bed frame responsible for the offending squeak, place a hard object, such as a book, beneath the mattress in that exact spot. You may have to test a couple of places to get it right. Once you do, you should notice a reduction in noise, and with a good-quality mattress, you shouldn't experience a decline in sleeping comfort.

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Floor Focus

8/11

If casters under the bed frame are responsible for the squeaks, you're in luck. The fix couldn't be easier. Simply stop by your local hardware store and pick up rubber caster cups to put beneath each wheel. For as little as $2 each, they’ll reduce the noise from those squeaky wheels—and fast.

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Spring Ahead

9/11

If you’re really having trouble eliminating the problem, try this. Flip over the box spring, then cut a small hole in the fabric that covers the springs. Spray WD-40 on each individual spring (or anywhere there’s metal) to lubricate the areas that may be responsible for your squeaks. Use a stapler to reseal the backing, put the box spring and mattress back on the frame, and try them out.

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Back to Basics

10/11

As a last resort, rotate your mattress. By flipping the head of the mattress to the foot of the bed, you can slightly alter the way weight balances on the bed frame. Sometimes that's all that it takes to eliminate a squeak. After you've rotated your mattress, give it a quick test. If the squeak is gone, stretch back and relax—you're now entitled to a well-deserved night's rest.

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