How to Fix a Squeaky Bed

Few things can rob us of much-needed sleep like a squeaky bed. Because these squeaks can come from a variety of sources, they can be notoriously difficult to troubleshoot. Faulty springs in an innerspring mattress (or in the accompanying box spring mattress) are sometimes the culprits. In other instances, the problem isn't the mattress or box spring at all, but loose connections in the bed frame. Squeaks can even be caused by the bed's feet rubbing against the floor! Wherever the noises are coming from, the following methods will help you quiet a squeaky bed so you can finally get some rest.

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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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This trick will help you make use of some of your mismatched socks: First, lift the mattress off the bed frame, then line each slat of the frame 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, which eliminates any friction points and creates a noise barrier.

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If you can identify 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 move slowly across the bed, listening closely for the squeaky spot. Once you’ve located the joint that's causing problems, rub a wax candle over the contact points. It may take a few coats of wax to get rid of the sound.

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Here's where a fully stocked garage will come in handy: Once you've located the noisy spot in your bed, use WD-40 to lubricate the joint that's making the noise. If you don't have any WD-40 on hand, vegetable oil will work in a pinch. Of course, this method works only if your bed frame is metal. Before you start spraying, lay an old towel or rag on the floor under the bed to catch drips and protect the floor or carpet.

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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 from where the squeak emanates. (You can also place cork around the pegs.) The cork cushioning will help tighten any loose spots and reduce noise.

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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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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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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 about $2 each, they’ll reduce the noise from those squeaky wheels—and fast.

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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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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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If that squeak persists, try placing a piece of ¼-inch plywood between the mattress and the bed frame. The plywood will stiffen the mattress, minimizing pressure on any bad springs in the box spring so they can't flex and squeak.

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If you have a wood bed frame, it might be the cause of the squeaks you're hearing. A wooden bed frame has two pieces of wood called stringers that connect to the footboard and headboard with a metal hook. When the bed moves, the stringers rub the headboard and footboard, causing the offending noise. Adding felt tape to the areas where the stringers make contact with the footboard and headboard should eliminate the noise.

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If you can't locate and eliminate the squeak, try using a mattress topper to create a buffer. Most squeaks are caused by pressure placed on an inner spring. A mattress topper absorbs much of the pressure before it reaches that faulty spring. The added layer will also help muffle the sound of the squeak.

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If all else fails and the squeak is keeping you up at night, it might be time to throw in the towel and replace the noisy mattress and squeaky box spring. Consider getting a memory foam mattress for your next bed. Memory foam doesn't use innersprings or a box spring, so you don't have to worry about ever having a noisy mattress.

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