There’s nothing quite like slipping into clean, fresh sheets after a long day - until a squeaky bed interrupts the moment. Fortunately, before investing in costly repairs or a brand-new bed, there is an inexpensive fix that could help quite easily.
Experts from mattress and bed retailers such as Sonno and Time4Sleep agree that lubricating the joints of your bed frame is a key way to stop the creaking. For metal joints, they recommend using WD-40 or similar lubricants. For wooden frames, wax such as beeswax or candle wax is beneficial.
Interestingly, a simple bar of soap, costing as little as 35p from shops like ASDA, can also act as an effective lubricant - but only for wooden bed frames. Sonno advises:
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“If you’re feeling creative, you can try a bar of soap. It works like a charm in most circumstances, too! Only for wooden frames!!!”
Time4Sleep echoes this advice, suggesting to apply wax or a similar product to the affected area after tightening any loose bolts:
“If you’re still plagued by creaking after tightening up any loose bolts, applying some wax to lubricate the area could be just the ticket. WD40 or other specialist products of the same ilk should do the trick.”
Understanding the cause of the creak is important. Bensons for Beds outlines that a squeaky bed often results from one of four common issues: loosening joints and bolts over time, parts of the frame rubbing against each other (wood-on-wood or metal-on-metal), an ageing mattress with worn springs, or creaky or uneven floorboards beneath the bed. You can test the floorboard theory by shifting the bed and checking if the noise moves with it.
If the soap or wax trick does not resolve the noise, there are other steps you can try, such as tightening bolts or examining the mattress and floorboards. Taking these measures can help restore the peace and quiet needed for a restful night’s sleep.