how to fix a squeaky bed

How to Fix a Squeaky Bed and Why You Shouldn't Ignore It

Posted By Ryan on Mar 15, 2018

The question of how to fix a squeaky bed comes down to one thing: bed springs. It's not the only reason, but it is the biggest one. We explored options both temporary and permanent to see if you can find relief from the squeaky mattress that's been keeping you up at night. The good news is: you aren't alone.

In fact, it's been in so many movies that it's almost a cliche at this point: the squeaky mattress. Usually, it's meant to signify an old, decrepit bed or a funny sex scene, or sometimes even an overly gross hotel room. Here's something not funny: that squeaky bed spring could be a signal of worse things to come. If you're lying awake wondering how to fix a squeaky bed, you should have the full information on why it's important to not ignore the issue. We're here to break down what those squeaky mattresses mean, how you can avoid them, and the best way to solve the problem of how to fix a sagging mattress.

Squeaky beds are a big no-no. You may be interested to know what a hybrid mattress is.

Bed Springs

Source of a Squeaky Bed: Bad Bed Springs

There are a few different reasons that your bed might be squeaking. An older metal frame could be the culprit, or it could be loose bolts or screws. Here's the overwhelming reason that you hear those tiny squeaks at night: your mattress bed springs are losing their springiness. Like anything, a traditional box spring mattress loses its freshness over time. Those bed springs that once coiled in anticipation of a good night's sleep are now older, wiser, and frankly: worn out.

While this may be a little annoying when you're trying to sleep (being kept up by the metal squeaks of a worn out mattress) here's the bigger issue: a squeaky mattress is a sign your spine isn't getting the support that it needs for a good night's sleep. While we often use a mattress' sag as the primary sign of when to buy a new mattress (and many of us don't even heed that warning), that is often too late in the game.

A squeaky mattress is the first sign that those bed springs aren't compressing the way that they used to, and this can mean bad things for your immediate and long-term health. Some consumers might look for quick fixes on how to fix a squeaky box spring, but often times those are temporary stopgaps that don't address the underlying problem — yes that is a bad bed pun.

General Wellbeing: How Bed Springs Relate to REM Sleep

The regenerative portion of deep sleep is super important, the time when we are able to revitalize areas that have taken a pounding during the day — and our backs are no exception. When you sleep on a mattress with bad, squeaky bed springs, you're basically sleeping on a sagging mattress that isn't supporting you. Even if the sag seems inconsequential even a slight sag can hamper the healing that happens while you sleep.

Our sleep cycle is broken up into four distinct categories, the deepest of which is REM sleep. That's when your body heals and mends itself. When your bed springs lose their tension, very often that means your body won't be able to reach this deepest level of sleep. Bad bed springs aren't the only factor, of course, but often this can contribute to sleep disorders, and may explain why you feel tired in the morning when you wake up — you never truly reached the deepest and most restful state of sleep.

Do you have a sagging mattress? See why that can be a problem.

The Science Behind the Squeaks of Bed Springs, and What You Can Do About it

The spine is made up of a series of interlocking vertebrae and discs. When we sleep in a poor bed due to misshapen bed springs, those discs are pinched between the vertebrae which is what leads to back pain. If you sleep this way for a few nights, you may have a stiff back. If you continue to sleep on a poor mattress, those effects can compound and become long-term. Not only that, your mattress affects every part of your life, from the way we walk to how well we do at work. Check out this post about how sleep and spinal well-being can affect your workflow.

There are a few solutions to squeaky springs that may offer temporary solutions. One includes putting a board under your bed to increase tension, and another suggests flipping your mattress once every few months. Mostly though, these are preventative measures, meant to increase the lifespan of a bed spring, and won't give much help if you already have a squeaky mattress. We did find a solution, one that's going to definitely change your life for the better.

The Best Solution to Bad Bed Springs is a New Mattress

Unfortunately, bad bed springs are sort of like toothpaste — once it's out, you can't put it back in the tube. There isn't a great solution for fixing bed springs after they've lost their tension. Yes, there are options like adding a pillow top or a better adjustable frame, but frankly, those are like putting a band-aid on a serious injury. It's just not going to get the job done.

The best thing you can do is to buy a mattress that won't quit on you and doesn't rely on bed springs to provide support and comfort. Memory foam mattresses are the new wave of the future and offer a welcome alternative to a squeaky box spring mattress. They work by using memory foam, a supple material meant to conform to your pressure points, to support your back and eliminate problem areas in your bed. They also never lose their form the way that bed springs do after a few short years of use.

Forget your squeaky bed and immerse yourself in luxury with our cashmere topped foam mattress.

If you're tired of your old squeaky box spring mattress and want to try something fresh and new, a DreamCloud Mattress represents a great alternative that will leave you rested an supported. Try it now and get a free 365-day trial and a Forever Warranty!