Have you ever tried to get some quality rest only for an annoying squeaky mattress to wake you? Never fear, there are a few ways you can tackle this problem and silence that squeak for good.
Why Do Mattresses Squeak?
To understand how to fix a squeaky mattress, it’s helpful to know why mattresses can start to squeak in the first place.
Sometimes, due to sweat or other sources of moisture or a poor design, a spring in a coil or sprung mattress might rust or break, resulting in that characteristic squealing sound.
Occasionally, springs in mattresses can also squeak because they have compressed and are hitting or rubbing against other springs.
These kinds of problems are usually found in lower quality mattresses, but even more expensive mattresses can show these problems as they age.
So how do you solve this issue?
Check Where the Squeak is Coming From
This might sound like an obvious one, but experts recommend checking where the squeak is coming from, particularly because it’s relatively rare for modern, good quality mattresses to be the source of a squeak.
If you have the room and the biceps for it, putting the mattress on the floor and then testing it is a good way to see if the offending squeak is coming from your mattress. If you can’t do this, get a friend or partner to help you test the mattress and the bed to find the squeak.
If you find that actually the bed frame or the box is the source of your squeaky annoyance, which is often the case, there are a few things to try.
If your bed frame is made of wood, try padding the joints. This video explains how to do this quickly and cheaply:
If you have a metal bed frame, lubricating the joints could help solve this problem too. This video can help you go through that process:
Lubricating the joints may also help with wood or composite frames that are secured with metal fixings. Applying wax to wood joints might also do the job.
If your squeak is actually coming from your box spring, you may need to remove the dust cover to see if the squeak is the result of wooden slats moving, cardboard that is not glued properly, or something else.
Checking the slats on all frames is always a good idea, too. If the slats have slipped, this can cause uneven weight distribution and lead to some areas having extra pressure, which can lead to squeaking. Reorganising the slats so they are equally spaced can help.
Now You Know it’s Your Mattress, Find the Location of the Squeak
If the squeak definitely is coming from your mattress, it’s time to find the offending spring or springs.
To do this, carefully press your way across and down the mattress surface, applying pressure evenly and in a way that mimics your weight when you lie on the mattress.
If you are a side sleeper, pay particular attention to areas where you rest your shoulders and hips as these are likely to be taking a lot of your weight.
Of course, you probably have a good idea of where the squeak comes from already, but being methodical now could save you from having to repeat this process later should you find another squeak.
Once you find the home of the squeak you can then look at how to tackle it.
Flipping and Rotating Your Mattress
Sometimes, squeaks occur due to a set of springs taking more of your weight than others and rubbing against one another.
You might notice that an area of your mattress dips or sags. This is a good clue that some of the springs in that area aren’t working like they used to and could be the source of your squeak. Try flipping your mattress over (if you can) and see if that helps.
If after applying pressure, this doesn’t quieten the squeak, consider whether rotating the mattress might help. To test this out, try lying at the other end of the mattress (where you would normally put your feet) and apply pressure as you would during sleep.
If you notice the squeaking sound has now disappeared, then it’s likely you’ve managed to take the pressure off the problem springs. Manufacturers recommend rotating applicable mattresses to improve how long they last anyway, so this can help on both counts.
Try Cushioning the Spring
If you believe the squeak is the result of a corroding or ageing spring, padding the area underneath the spring might help.
To do this, we might try using a wedge of cardboard, a flat hardback book or some old clothes and placing the wedge under the mattress where the squeak comes from.
This can help to limit the range of motion the damaged spring goes through and prevent it from rubbing against neighbour springs and squeaking.
Try adjusting your wedge to see if you can silence the spring. Then check to make sure you can still sleep comfortably. It’s important that you not be able to feel any difference from putting something under the mattress.
Check How Your Mattress is Positioned?
One other thing to check is whether your mattress sits properly on your bed frame or base.
If you find when you look at your mattress that it seems to slant one way or to sit unevenly on the base, this could be the source of the squeak because it is causing misalignment of the springs.
To fix this, make sure the base is properly supporting your mattress, that any wooden slats in the mattress are properly positioned, and that the mattress is sitting flush on, or snuggly in, the frame.
Can You Feel The Spring?
If when you look at your mattress you can see a spring is bulging, or you can feel it when you lie on the bed, then that is most likely the source of the squeak or a good indicator at least that your bed springs are ageing.
While it is possible to repair a bulging spring, this is not recommended. It is a sign that your mattress is now past its best and you need to get a new mattress or, if your mattress is still within warranty, return it.
Final Thoughts
To get to the bottom of your bed squeaking problem make sure you thoroughly check each part of your bed, including your:
- Mattress
- Bed frame
- Bed slats
- The headboard
- The floor on which the bed stands
If the source of the squeak is the mattress, then try the steps above.
A squeaking mattress can also be a sign that the mattress is now ageing past the point of offering you the comfort, stability and support you need for a good night’s sleep.
We know that it is critical we get quality sleep, so your squeaking mattress might be a literal wakeup call that it’s time to think about investing in a new mattress.
Do you have any squeaky mattress fixes? Let us know in the comments.
