Sometimes I can’t figure out which one is easier to breakโa thin matchstick or my sleep.
So, I hope you don’t have to put in too much brainwork to understand what a squeaky mattress can do to me.
Wait a minute! You’re in the same shoes, aren’t you? Or at least close enough, I guess. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have searched for why does a mattress squeak and how to fix it, would you?
Okay, letโs make a deal. You keep scrolling, and I keep giving you the answers youโre looking for.
Key Takeaways:
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Mattresses squeak due to worn-out components, an uneven bed frame and floor, and excessive friction with internal and external components.
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Squeaking can be fixed by rotating the mattress, using extra padding, oiling the frame, and using cork.
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If the bed frame is faulty, it can be fixed by tightening the loose parts, using lube at joints, reinforcing weak joints, and using a rug or carpet underneath.
What Causes a Mattress to Squeak?
When was the last time you took medicine without knowing what was happening to your body and why? Well, things are pretty much the same for the squeakiness of your mattress.
Itโs usually the friction between the mattress components that create that noise. Most of the time, itโs the broken or old mattress springs.
That is, when they lose their stretchiness over time or get misplaced, they create friction with the other components, squeak, and mess with your sleep.
But thatโs not the only villain in the story, as the bed frame can be a squeaker too. Such as the following:
- If itโs weak, it too can create squeaky sounds, even if it’s the best bed out there.
- If the structure is not assembled perfectly, it can make the mattress unevenly placed and make it squeak.
And yes, the moisture is not an angel, at least not in this case. Once it slips into your mattress, it can create mildew and mold and make the metal parts rusty. And if that happens, count this as the right time to replace your mattress.
Common Causes of Mattress Squeaking
The first reason that causes a mattress to squeak is having a mattress.
Ha ha! Just kidding!
There can be a ton of reasons why your mattress sounds like itโs in its 80s. But is it always your mattressโs mistake? Well, no!

So, let me tell you about every possible reason that can cause your mattress and bed to squeak:
Worn-out Springs
Time can make anything wear out, and the same goes for your mattress. So, when the innerspring coils of your mattress wear or get rusty over time, your favorite comforter can start squeaking.
Broken Springs
If you’ve got one or more snapped springs in there, the chance is quite high that they’ll squeak every time you sit or sleep on them. Anything can make it happen, such as crossing the weight limit, stress, or aging.
Mattress Quality
Mattresses of poor quality come with weaker materials. So, the construction soon enough goes to a stage where dealing with a squeaky issue and ruining your good nightโs sleep becomes obvious.
Misaligned Connections
Mattresses are made with the help of metal components, and any of them can become misaligned or loose. This can lead to a squeaking sound every time you make a move.
Problematic Filling Materials
This is more of a rare case. Usually, once the internal fillings, such as fibers or foam, are shifted or degraded, they can create friction and squeaking.
Age of the Mattress
Like I said before, everything starts to deteriorate with time. So, when your mattress has been serving you for a long time, the materials keep wearing down, ultimately causing the squeak.
Squeaky Slat
Have you checked your bed slats? If these wooden slats are made of wood, they too can cause squeaking when they’re rubbed against each other or the wooden bed frame.
Moisture Issue
I guess you know how moisture can influence the contraction or expansion of both the box spring and bed frame or foundation. This mostly happens when there’s a change in humidity.
Faulty Floor
Itโs not always your bed, damaged mattress, or box spring that works as the source of that squeaking noise. Sometimes creaky or uneven floorboards can take that place.
Weight and Sleeping Style
If the body weight of the sleeper is more than the mattress’s weight-carrying capacity, it might squeak. The same thing can happen with a sleeping position that puts extra pressure on the components.
Ways of Identifying the Source of the Squeak
The first step to stopping your mattress or bed from squeaking is identifying the source. After all, it’s not always necessary to replace your mattress.

Just try these things when your mattress topper is turning into an annoying jukebox of squeaks, and you will be all good to go:
Remove the Bedding
First, separate the mattress from all bedding. Yes, I’m talking about the blankets, sheets, and even the mattress protector. This will help you to see all the visible components of the mattress.
Inspection
Go to ‘Detective’ mode. Then, check the mattress thoroughly and look for visible damage or wear. This should initially help you to find broken springs, loose threads, and other issues.
Check the Foundation
Don’t forget to check the foundation. Anything can be a source of that issue, such as the joints on your bed frame or any other broken parts. Even a loose bolt can play a part.
Pressurize
Press different areas of the mattress firmly, even the corners of your bed. Pay extra attention to the areas that are causing the squeak. Keep your ears open and listen closely. This might make finding the source easier.
Rotate Your Mattress
Rotate the mattress and see if you still hear the squeak every time you move. This way, you’ll understand if the problem is with a certain component or more than that.
Professional Help
If, with all your effort, you can’t find why the mattress or bed is still squeaking, call for professional help.
Strategies to Prevent Mattress Squeaking
Prevention is better than cureโisn’t it what youโre always hearing about?
The same theory applies to your luxury firm mattresses as well, and hereโs your share of tips on how to prevent the mattress from squeaking.
- Flip and rotate your mattress regularly to distribute the wear and tear evenly.
- Donโt let any moisture slip in, and try using a waterproof protector if needed.
- Donโt place excessive weight on the mattress or jump on it, as that can break the springs or other parts.
- Pick a high-quality mattress that comes with strong components. This type of mattress should prevent squeaking for a long time.
- Tighten the loose joints, screws, and bolts on your box spring, bed frame, and slats, if there are any.
- Use felt tape wherever the metal or wooden components come into contact with other components and create a squeaky sound through friction.
- To lower the friction, try using a silicone-based lubricant. But don’t over-lubricate, as that will attract more dust and dirt.
- Upgrade your old components after a certain time as the bed frame and mattress periodically lose their stability.
- Use a good-quality mattress topper to get extra cushioning and prevent squeaking.
- Fix the unevenness of your floorboard. This will help the mattress keep the noise down.
How to Fix a Squeaky Mattress?
Dealing with a squeaky mattress is like trying to sleep through a symphony of creaks and groansโnot exactly the lullaby you had in mind, right?
Here are some top tips on how to fix or stop that irritating noise in the first place on your online mattresses.
1. Rotate Your Mattress
Make sure you’re rotating your mattress on a regular basis, every 3 months. In fact, rotating or flipping your mattress should distribute the wear and tear evenly, preventing a bed from squeaking.
2. Cushion With Plywood
When you’ve got a box spring, take a thin piece of plywood and place it under the mattress. This can add some extra firmness and lower the squeaking. The plywood basically makes the base more stable, leading to less movement and squeaking.
3. Look Into Getting a New Mattress
Repairing can’t always fix the problem and get your old mattress back. Sometimes you just have to let it go and get a new one.
This mostly happens when the springs are excessively worn out and only the new mattress can prevent your bed from making noise.
4. Check the Joints
Does the bed squeak when you move?
If yes, there’s a 50% chance of having a loose bolt or joint down there. So, simply check the joints and tighten the bolts or joints. If it’s necessary, try adding some washers to secure the fit.
5. Cushion the Slats
Yes, loose slats rubbing against your bed frame can cause that noise too. If that’s the case, try adding some padding to reduce the noise. Some felt tape between the slates should also be enough.
6. Oil the Frame
Squeaking is based on friction, and you can minimize that with a light coat of lube. You can try something like the silicone spray or WD-40, as that can lower the chance of noise.
A Gentle Reminder:
Don’t over-lubricate, unless you want to draw in some extra dust and dirt.
7. Use Cork
This one depends on how accurately you’re identifying the spots on your mattress, the bed, and the floor that are rubbing together.
Once you do that, all you have to do is put a piece of cork between those spots. This way, your mattress and bed might stop squeaking.
8. Add Floor Padding
When you’re setting your bed on a hard surface, such as wood or tiles, even the slightest movement can create noise.
So, what you can do to stop the bed from doing that is add a carpet or rug underneath. This absorbs the noise and fixes your squeaky bed.
How to Fix a Squeaky Bed Frame or Box Spring?
Whether your mattress is making noise or your bed frame and box springs, all of them are equally irritating and can mess with your sleep.

So, if the squeak is coming from your bed frame or box spring, you can take a bunch of steps to stop the noise in the first place, such as:
- Identify the noise source first. This can come from anything, such as springs, slats, or joints in your box spring or bed frame.
- Tighten loose parts such as bolts, screws, and connectors. If any of them have corroded badly, the best is to replace them. The same goes for other worn-out components.
- Use lubricant to minimize the friction of the joints and moving parts. Try something like silicone spray. You can also try wax if you want.
- Try rotating the mattress periodically, as that will distribute the weight evenly and save the bed frame from extra pressure on any specific part.
- Try adding some padding or felt to the parts that are creating friction against each other and causing the noise.
- Reinforce the weak joints of the bed frame, as those joints can squeak, even break down in the future, and go beyond repair.
Closing Notes
Having a squeaky mattress is not your fault. But fixing it surely is. Okay, I understand you didnโt know why does a mattress squeak and how to fix it. But I hope this article has given you every tip you need in your arsenal.
Iโve also tried to show you some ways of fixing your bed frame and box spring, as they too can ruin your sleep. So, what are you waiting for?
Time to wake up the creative soul and get back to work!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a squeaky mattress mean?
A squeaky mattress is often one with worn-out bed springs that create a squeaky sound whenever there is friction with internal components. But sometimes these sounds can indicate loose bed frames and rubbing slats.
Why does my bed make noise when I move?
Worn and squeaky bed springs, chatty slats, and even loose joints can be the reasons for a noisy bed. Plus, issues with bed frames can also be one of the main reasons.
Does a creaky bed mean it will break?
A creaky bed can be a sign of excessive friction among the components or that thereโs damage somewhere. But it doesnโt necessarily mean the bed will break.
Is it bad that my bed creaks?
Creaks are no good news, and they can lead to discomfort, which can ruin your sleep. Plus, they’re signs of potential damage to your mattress and the bed.
Why does my bed suddenly creak?
This can possibly happen based on four reasons: worn-out components, loose connections, excessive pressure or movement, and hidden damage. There can be other reasons as well, but these are the most common.
What does a noisy mattress mean?
This can indicate two things. One, your mattress has been damaged somehow or got old, and two, the bed frame or box spring is having some issues with it.
How can I prevent my new mattress from squeaking?
If your mattress is a high-quality one, keep it on a compatible base that is perfectly even. Check if there are any loose connections in the bed, and fix them if there are. But if the friction is with the bed frame causing the sound, you can cover the points of your bed frame with thin fabric to reduce the squeaking.