How To Stop Squeaky Wood Floors - Ace Hardware, by Ace Hardware on YouTube. 1 min 39 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 39 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Walk slowly across the room and listen for each squeak. Mark the noisy spots with a small piece of tape so you can find them again.
Sweep or vacuum the floor first. Dust and grit pushed into the seams can make the noise worse.
Sprinkle a generous layer of baby powder over the squeaky boards, letting it fall into the gaps between them.
Tap along the boards with a rubber mallet to work the powder down into the seams and joints.
Spread the powder around with a cloth or your hand so it reaches the full squeaky area, then leave it for a few minutes.
Sweep or vacuum up the leftover powder. Wipe the surface with a dry cloth to clear any film.
Walk over the spot again. If the squeak is still there, add more powder and repeat the tapping.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a rubber mallet, not a hammer, so you do not dent the wood.
Baby powder acts as a dry lubricant and the effect can wear off, so keep the container handy for repeat applications.
Test on a hidden patch first, since powder can leave a pale residue on very dark floors.
If the squeak stays after two tries, the cause is usually a loose board or subfloor fixing rather than rubbing wood.
Questions
Does baby powder really stop squeaky floors?
It often quiets the noise by lubricating boards that rub against each other. It works best on light squeaks and may need reapplying over time.
Will baby powder damage my hardwood floor?
Plain talc or baby powder is generally safe on sealed wood, but wipe up the excess so it does not build up in the seams or leave a haze.
What if the floor still squeaks?
Then the movement is likely in the subfloor or a loose fixing. From below, you can add a shim or drive a screw up through the subfloor into the board.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
