How to Lubricate Door Hinges- Quick Tips

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Are you tired of hearing those squeaky noises anytime you open or close your door?. We have been there before and know how nerve-racking this can be.

That’s why we’ve written this article to help you remedy this problem. Usually, the squeaky noise is caused by the buildup of dirt and grime on the hinges making it sticky. 

Some of the easiest ways to lubricate your door hinges are; to inspect the door hinges, buy suitable lubricants, and clean up the door hinge area.

Lubricating your door hinges to get rid of the squeaky noise requires only a few tools and a little of your time to get things done. These simple procedures below will help you lubricate your door hinges quickly. 

Ways to Lubricate Door Hinges

Buy a Suitable Lubricant

You need to ensure that the lubricant you purchase is capable of penetrating into the dirt, the grime that covers the interior of the hinge, and the entire area around the hinges. It is essential to get a lubricant in a container that has a thin pointed nozzle to cover a large area.

In this instance, the WD40 multi-use product comes handy as it is an excellent lubricant and also comes with a removable straw. You can visit your local hardware store and ask for spray lubricant available. 

Aside from the WD40 multi-use product, you can use other lubricants such as:

  • Silicone spray 
  • Bar soap
  • Hair spray 
  • Olive oil 
  • Petroleum jelly 
  • Paraffin candles 
  • Lithium grease 

There are several cooking oils that can also be used to lubricate the hinges, These lubricants can be used when your door swings slightly easily but still have a high chance of causing a squeak, these approaches are excellent at getting rid of the squeaky noise.

Even though cooking oil is good for lubricating hinges it can still attract grime and dust. This will make them less effective in the long run in comparison to other kinds of lubricants. 

Clean Up the Door Hinge Area

One of the first things you need to do when trying to lubricate your door hinge is to make sure there is no accumulation of dust and muck on your door hinge. Use a clean cloth to wipe off all the dirt from the hinge before applying the lubricant.

However, you can also wet the cloth to help clean up the hinges thoroughly. After that ensure to dry the hinges cleaning with a kitchen towel. 

Locate the Hinge Pin

Most door hinges consist of a hinge and a pin that holds the two parts of the hinges firmly together on the wall. Look out for the cylindrical pin which rests between the flat plates on the hinges. The pin is responsible for holding the hinge plates together. In order to lubricate the hinges properly you need to take out the pin.

Also Read:

Tips to lubricate door hinges without WD40

Take Out the Hinge Pin

Before you can remove the hinge pin you need to open the door first, then pull out the pin. In some instances, you may be able to pull out the hinge pin with just your hand but most of the time you may need to use a plier to hold the pin and turn it round in a counterclockwise direction before you can pull it out the hinge pin. When doing to do this you need to be cautious to avoid scraping your knuckles.

Sometimes the hinges pin may become rusty over time and making removing it very difficult. If you are finding it difficult to get it loose. You can try using a screwdriver or a PB blaster to help loosen up the hinge pin.

Clean Up the Hinge Pin and Put Your Desired Lubricant on It

After you have removed the hinge pin, use a paper towel or rag to wipe down the grime and grease up the pin and the plates. In case the plate and pin are rusty you can use sandpaper to polish them up. Once the plates and pins have been thoroughly cleaned, apply a considerable amount of lubricant directly onto the plates and the pin.

Reassemble the Hinge

Reinsert the pin in its original place and ensure it fits in properly. 

Inspect Your Door

Open and close your door several times so that the lubricant can properly diffuse into the mechanism and inner surfaces of the hinges. If you notice the squeaky noise still persists, apply the same process on each of your door hinges until you get rid of the squeaky noise.

Clean Up the Excess Lubricants

Once you’re done with everything, ensure to wipe off the grime, dust, and oil drips around the hinges area. One of the primary causes of the squeaky noise in your door is the accumulation of grime. So it is best to completely clean up all the grime from the area.

FAQ

Can I Use WD40 Lubricant on My Door Hinges?

The WD40 spray lubricant can be used on your door hinges as it is very effective in removing the build-up of grime and dirt that may exist on your door. You can simply apply the WD40 onto your door hinges and leave it for about five minutes, for the lubricant to seep in properly. Then use a clean rag to wipe down your door hinges. 

How Can I Lubricate My Door Without WD40?

You can simply use a household item like bar soap and rub it on your door hinge until it is completely coated. 

Petroleum jelly, you can take out the pin from the door hinge and apply a considerable amount of petroleum jelly on it before you reinsert back.

For paraffin candles, remove the pin from your door hinges, and rub the hot wax on it before you reinsert the pin.

Can I Use Vaseline to Lubricate My Door Hinges?

If you have a door that squeals anytime you open or closes it, you’ve got to fix it. Applying a considerable amount of petroleum jelly onto the hinges will help get rid of the annoying squeaky noise. The petroleum jelly will seep into the hinges and adhere to them properly. So it won’t overspill and create a mess like oil and other lubricants. 

What is the Best Thing I Can Do to Stop Squeaky Hinges?

Applying some oil lubricant onto the squeaky hinge pins and reinserting it back will help get rid of the noise. If this doesn’t work, you can try and blow graphite onto the hinge pin. However, if the noise persists, then is likely the hinge pin is out of alignment. 

What is the Best Lubricant for My Squeaky Door?

The best lubricant for your door hinge is either silicone spray or lithium grease. However, silicone spray is much cheaper and easier to apply than lithium grease. It is also less messy as it may leave much runoff. 

What Kind of Oil can I Use on My Door Hinge?

For a door hinge oil, the best option you should consider is either silicone spray or white lithium. Even though the silicone spray is the easiest to get, it doesn’t take that long compared to the grease. 

How Do I Lubricate a Door that Sticks?

Before you begin place a rag underneath your door so that any drop of oil won’t ruin your floor. Then spray  WD40 lubricant onto the hinges. This lubricant works perfectly just as other spray lubricants and oils. In case you don’t have spray lubricant or oil available, you can use a home item like petroleum jelly(vaseline) to lubricate your door hinges.

Conclusion

Many people will agree to the fact that noisy doors are very annoying to deal with. Luckily enough the article above will help you lubricate your door hinge easily and swiftly. Read the article clearly and stick to the procedures to help you achieve better results. 

Josephine
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