You’ve just purchased a brand new sofa, and you’re excited to finally have a comfortable place to relax after a long day.
However, as soon as you sit down, you notice an annoying creaking sound.
It’s a common issue that many new sofa owners face, but what exactly causes it?
In this post, I’ll shed some light on why your new sofa is creaking and what to do about it.
Here are the most common reasons why your new sofa is creaking:
This is likely the most common reason for creaking in a brand new sofa.
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The frame, springs, cushions and upholstery are all adjusting to your home’s environment and your weight when you sit.
The creaking will stop as the components settle into place over the first few weeks/months.
This break-in period is normal, especially for sofas with wooden frames. Be patient and the creaking should go away once everything is settled.
Another reason your sofa might be creaking is if some connections in the frame or components got loose during transportation.
The different parts of the frame are put together with screws, dowels, bolts, and so on.
If any of these connections get loose, the components will rub against each other and creak.
The same thing can happen with mechanisms like reclining levers – if the hinges or connections are loose, they can creak and squeak too.
You can do a quick check to see if there are any visible loose screws or bolts and gently tighten them.
One of the main reasons your sofa might be making creaking noises is because of its frame.
The frame is like the backbone of the sofa. If it’s not built well or if it’s made with cheap materials, it can start creaking over time.
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This happens when the joints and connections in the frame get loose, causing the different parts to rub against each other and make those annoying creaking sounds.
Cheaper sofas often use lower-quality materials for the frame, so they’re more likely to creak.
And as your sofa gets older and gets used more often, it’s even more likely to start creaking.
The cushions and upholstery can also make squeaking sounds.
If the cushions have cheap foam or aren’t padded enough, they can squash down and make noise against the frame.
Loose upholstery can rub against the frame or cushions too – especially if it’s not securely attached. And the more you use it, the looser the upholstery can get, making the creaking worse.
Finally, the way you and others use the sofa can also contribute to creaking noises.
If weight isn’t evenly distributed or if too much weight is put on certain spots, it can stress the frame and joints, causing creaks.
How to reduce this?
Rotate the cushions often and evenly spread out weight across the seating area.
And avoid jumping on or putting too much weight on the sofa.
If the creaking is minor, be patient.
In most cases, the noises will go away on their own after a break-in period.
But if the creaking seems concentrated in one spot, try to pinpoint the location. You can gently press on different areas of the sofa to see if you can isolate where the sound is coming from.
If you suspect loose connections, you need to check for stuff that might need tightening.
Flip your couch over and inspect the underside for any loose fasteners. Use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten them up carefully (avoid over-tightening).
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The install instructions might be helpful here, or you can just take it to the shop if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.
If the sound is coming from metal parts like the hinges, a silicone lubricant can help. Apply a small amount to the moving parts.
But be careful not to overspray and stain the upholstery.
Or a light coat of furniture polish on wooden joints might also help.
If the creaking or squeaking noise is coming from the springs, do this:
Apply a silicone lubricant to the spring coils where they rub against each other.
Focus on contact points and avoid overspraying to prevent stains on the upholstery.
Adding felt pads between contacting springs can create a barrier and reduce friction.
Cut small felt squares and place them strategically between the coils that squeak the most. You can find felt sheets at most hardware stores.
Some couches use metal clips to hold the zig zag springs in place.
If these clips have become loose, they might be causing the squeak.
You can try tightening them carefully with pliers. Be mindful not to bend them out of shape.
If the springs are worn out, broken, or permanently stretched, they may need replacement.
This is a more complex job.
You’ll likely need to access the underside of the couch upholstery, remove the worn springs, and replace them with parts that match the existing ones.
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