How to Fix a Squeaky Bed Effectively in Canada

Having a squeaky bed is frustrating and it can stop you from getting a good night’s sleep. Hearing a noise every time you move in your bed can stop you from falling into a deep sleep, leading you to wake up feeling groggy because of the interrupted sleep cycle. Over time, lack of sleep can have a negative effect on your overall health.

What can you do when you have a squeaky bed? How do you identify where the sound comes from and fix the issue? The noise you hear could originate from your mattress, the bed frame or the box spring if you have one.

In this article, we share with you how to identify the source of the squeaking noise, whether it is coming from the mattress or the bed setup. By following the steps, you should be able to eliminate the annoying squeak to have a peaceful night’s sleep again.

Why is Your Bed Squeaking?

The squeaking sounds from your bed are caused by friction, created when pieces of your mattress, bed frame, or box spring rub together when you move in your bed. If you have an older innerspring mattress, the coils can break over time, which can cause creaking. The same can happen in box springs when the coils wear down and begin to rub against each other.

However, coils in your mattress or box spring are not the only possible sources of squeaking noises. They could also be coming from your bed frame. When you sleep, the joints of the bed frame can become loose over time from the pressure from the combined weight of you and your mattress. If your bed is against a wall, the noise could be created as the frame rubs against the wall or sometimes the feet of the bed frame can be making a noise against the floor.

Check Your Mattress

If you have a mattress that has coils in its core, including pocket springs and hybrid mattresses, the noise could be created by the coils rubbing together. On the other hand, if you have any type of foam mattress, you can skip checking your mattress and move straight to your bed frame.

To check if the noise is coming from your mattress, pull your mattress onto the floor, and push down on different parts of the mattress. Move around the entire mattress until you can determine the area the noise is coming from.

How to Fix a Squeaking Mattress

Once you have determined that the noise is coming from your mattress, you can try the following measures to silence the mattress. However, these may not work if the mattress is very old or may only work temporarily.

Rotate the Mattress

When you have located the squeak, you can try flipping or rotating your mattress. You may be able to rotate or flip your mattress so that the squeaking spot is not near where your body weight is. This may be harder to accomplish if you share your bed with a partner but you can always try.

Mattresses should be rotated periodically regardless of whether it is making a squeaking noise or not. Think of it like rotating the tires on your car. You want to turn your mattress over from time to time to make sure the filling is evenly distributed.

Use Plywood as Cushioning

If rotating your mattress did not do the trick, try using plywood to cushion the mattress. Place a thin piece of plywood under the mattress. This will help to make the base firmer and may minimize the squeaking if not stop it completely.

Use a Mattress Topper

You can try adding a mattress topper to your bed setup to reduce the squeaking. The topper will create a buffer between the bed and your body. This can relieve some of the pressure on the coils in your mattress and therefore reduce squeaking. The extra padding may also help to muffle any noises from the mattress.

Get a New Mattress

If your mattress is the cause of the noise, consider getting a new mattress as the rotating and cushioning are only likely to work as a short-term solution. The squeaking is likely to return sooner or later.

When looking for a new mattress in Canada, read some unbiased reviews and compare the pros and cons of the different mattress types. For example, if you want to eliminate the possibility of a squeaking mattress in the future, get a memory or latex mattress. Investing in a luxury mattress can also give you longer-lasting comfort. However, there are many excellent cheap mattresses on the Canadian sleep market, too.

Check Your Box Spring

If you have a box spring and the squeaking is not coming from your mattress, check the box spring. Like the coils in your mattress, the springs in the box can wear out as well. If the springs are causing the squeaking, you may need to replace the box spring. However, the squeaking may also be coming from the wooden frame, which is fixable. Check the joints of the wooden frame and tighten them where necessary.

Before you replace your box spring, consider whether you need one. While they can be good combined with traditional innerspring mattresses, they are not necessary with most modern mattresses. Most mattresses manufactured now are better suited for platform beds with sturdy built-in foundations.

Check Your Bed Frame

If the squeaking is coming from your bed frame, it is usually the result of a warped piece of wood or a loose bolt. Both of which are easy enough to fix yourself. The bolts can become loose over time causing the bed to wobble and squeak. Water stains or changes in humidity may cause warping, which leads the bed frame to squeak.

To try to locate the squeak, you can shake or wobble the bed frame. This will hopefully make it squeak and help you locate the exact spot. However, it might not work because there is no weight on top of the frame. The squeaking may only happen when there is pressure on the joints or wood.

How to Fix a Squeaking Bed Frame

When you have eliminated other causes, it is time to work through your bed frame to eliminate the squeaking noise. Since the squeaking may come from loose joints or warping, it is best to work through each step unless you can pinpoint the source exactly when moving the bed frame.

Tighten All the Joints

Sometimes screws and bolts may work themselves loose as the bed moves slightly under the weight of the sleepers. This will allow the joints to move too much, which can cause the noise. Try tightening all the joints on the bed frame. If you cannot tighten them enough, add washers to make them hold tighter.

Lubricate Corners and Joints

When you have tightened all the screws and bolts, add lubricant, such as WD-40 on them as well as the corners of the bed frame. This can help to reduce friction, which may be causing the squeaking noises. With wooden frames, you can also add wax to spots where pieces of wood join together.

Cushion the Frame

Adding cushioning to different parts of the bed frame can also prevent squeaking. Sometimes the noise can be caused by the mattress rubbing against the bedframe and you can stop this by adding some fabric between the mattress and the frame. You can use, for example, old sheets, t-shirts, or towels to cushion it.

Use Felt Tape

In wooden bed frames, you have pieces of wood called stringers connecting the headboard and footboard. The stringers have wires on each side which can squeak if they are rubbing against the bedboards. Add felt tape to the sections that touch the stringer to eliminate squeaking.

Wedge Cork Into The Frame

If you have a wooden bed frame and would prefer not to use lubricants on it, you can try using cork. Wedge pieces of cork where the pieces of wood meet to reduce the noise caused by the wood rubbing together.

Add Padding on the Feet

Sometimes the squeaking can be caused by the feet of the bed rubbing against the floor. This is especially likely if you have an uneven floor. Press down each corner of the bed at a time to see if any of the legs is sitting higher or lower than the others. Add padding to address the imbalance.

Check Mechanical Parts on Adjustable Beds

If you have an adjustable bed, the mechanical parts, such as hinges and motors, can start squeaking over time if they become misaligned or wear out. To prevent squeaking on adjustable beds, ensure that moving parts are regularly lubricated and any loose bolts and screws tightened to prevent squeaking.

Get a New Bed Frame

If you have tried everything possible to fix the squeak and nothing has helped, it is probably time to get a new bed frame. If your mattress does not need replacing, choose a bed frame that works with your existing mattress. However, sometimes it may make the best sense to replace everything in one go. Pick a bed frame that is of high quality and durable to avoid future problems with noise.

Choosing a Bed Frame in Canada

If you are ready to replace your old bed frame, you need to consider several factors and pick one that fits your preferences, needs, and budget.

• The size: ensure the bed frame is the right size for the room you have. While it may be tempting to go bigger, too big a bed will make your room feel crowded and may make getting around the bed challenging. It also needs to fit your current mattress unless you are replacing it, too. For single sleepers common options include twin and double mattresses, while couples often prefer a queen or king-size
• Material: various materials are used in bed frames, including metal, wood, and fabric covers. Choose material that fits the style of your bedroom, while paying attention to the stability and construction of the frame.
• Storage options: do you need to create extra storage space in your bedroom? If you do, consider getting a bed with built-in storage.
• Clearance and height: choose a frame that provides enough clearance of the floor and one that is the right height for you to get in and out easily.
• Assembly: If the bed frame needs assembling at home, consider how easy it will be to put together. Choose one with clear instructions and preferably all the tools.
• Check Reviews: read reviews about the bed frame you like and see what other customers have said about it and the manufacturer or retailer.

Conclusion

If you hear squeaking every time you turn over in your bed, you need to first detect where the noise is coming from. The cause could be an innerspring mattress, a box spring, or a bed frame. Eliminate each cause at a time and then you can attempt to fix it.

In some cases, it may not be possible to fix the squeaking, for example, if you have an old bed frame or mattress. If that is the case, it is time to replace the mattress or the frame, or possibly both if they are both coming to the end of their lifespan.