How to Lubricate a Door Hinge for Best Results (2024)

How to Lubricate a Door Hinge for Best Results (1)

Got a squeaky door that’s driving you crazy every time someone opens or closes it? By applying some specially made lubricant for door hinges, you remove the squeaky noise and ensure the door swings smoothly between an open and shut position.

Before you start using oil for greasing door hinge oil though, there are a few tips you should keep in mind:

  • Keep a rag handy for clean-ups
  • Be careful with how much spray or door hinge oil you apply – you don’t need a lot – more is not better in this situation
  • Immediately wipe up any excess door hinge lube with the rag quickly before it runs

Greasing door hinges

When lubricating a door hinge, it’s best to remove the pin first (unless they are high-end ball-bearing hinges like our Embassy hinges, in which case do NOT remove the pin) – you can use a small screwdriver and a hammer to tap the pin out from the bottom of the hinge. With the door closed, address one hinge at a time so the door will stay supported.

Spray some silicone spray on the joints in the two hinge leaves where they meet. Spray a coating onto the pin and tap it back into the door hinge. Add a little more of the solution when you are about halfway through the process. Finish tapping the pin into place, and then repeat this process for the other hinges on the door.

The procedure with door hinge oil is similar. Simply coat the pin with a thin layer of door hinge oil. Put a small dab of grease on the end and tap the pin back into place. When you have addressed all the hinges, open the door and move it back and forth several times to work the door hinge oil in. Repeat the process if the squeak persists.

Using door hinge oil

For door hinge oil, your best option is to use silicone spray or white lithium grease. Silicone is the easiest, but it does not last as long as the grease. When used properly, the mess is minimal.

Remove the hinge pins from the hinge one at a time. Apply the lubricant and replace the pin. When the hinges are lubricated, again work the door back and forth to work the lubricant in. Repeat if the squeaks remain.

Lubricating a rusty door hinge

Lubricating a rusty door hinge is a good choice when the hinge is still working – door hinge oil will loosen it and quiet it down with a little effort. When a rusty hinge has deeper rust, you may want to start by soaking the hinge with good quality penetrating oil.

Apply the oil liberally, and keep a rag handy to wipe up any excess. Allow the oil to soak in before you try working the hinge. You may want to repeat this step a few times with a badly damaged hinge.

After the penetrating oil has freed up the hinge, you can lubricate it using a silicone spray or white lithium grease. Keep in mind that an old badly rusted hinge may need additional treatments.

Lubricating a rusty door hinge with grease is easier when you remove the pin. Not all pins are removable, especially on older doors. When this happens, use spray silicone or spray penetrating oil and try to get it in every opening of the hinge. Work the door back and forth to work the lubricant down into the hinge.

It might be worth investing in new door hinges

Another option is to fit the door for a newer style hinge. This will require some carpentry skills, because you need to take the door off and change out the mortises in the door and frame.

Tired of rusty old hinges? Shop with us online or call us for expert guidance and we’ll be happy to discuss your options. We also stock an excellent range of door closers, lever locksets, door pulls and exit devices.

How to Lubricate a Door Hinge for Best Results (2024)

FAQs

Does WD-40 lubricate door hinges? ›

Once you are sure that the hinges are clean, you need to re-lubricate the hinges to stop the squeaking. WD-40 acts as an amazing lubricant and keeps things greased for a while. Tip: You can even lubricate the door locks.

What is the best lubricant for squeaky door hinges? ›

Silicone Spray

A popular choice that many choose to stop doors making a squeaking sound is to spray the hinge with some silicone. Available at most good hardware stores, it's free from grease and oil and is safe to use on wood, metal, plastic, and rubber.

Which lubricant for hinges? ›

The two best lubricants to use on hinges are silicone spray and plumber's grease (a light, odorless grease used to lubricate O-rings and other rubbing surfaces in plumbing fixtures). Silicone spray, if used properly, it is the least sloppy and fairly long lasting.

What are the two lubricants used for smoothing door hinges? ›

Machine oil and grease are lubricants which are used to reduce friction in the hinges on the doors. Q. Commonly, we lubricate the hinges of the doors to reduce the friction which helps us in smooth movement of the door. Even after lubricating, we still find some resistance.

When should you not use WD-40? ›

It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40.

How long does WD-40 take to work? ›

You'll need to wait about 15 minutes after applying WD-40 for it to do its thing. For only slightly stuck stuff, it'll take three to five minutes.

How often do you lubricate door hinges? ›

Cleaning and lubrication are basic steps to fix squeaky door hinges. It is necessary to grease them with special mineral or graphite lubricants at least once every 6 months.

Why you shouldn't use WD-40 on door hinges? ›

WD-40 is a fantastic product that can be used to displace moisture and lubricate moving pieces throughout your home, garage, or workshop. But one place where you should not use WD-40 is a squeaky door hinge, as the lubricant can attract dirt and dust, and may eventually cause the hinge pin to turn black.

Can you put Vaseline on a squeaky door hinge? ›

A little petroleum jelly will rid the hinge of that annoying squeak. The petroleum jelly works its way into the hinge and adheres well, so it won't run off and make a mess like oil or other lubricants.

What is a home remedy for squeaky hinges? ›

Household items

Petroleum jelly – Remove the pin from your hinge and cover it in petroleum jelly before reinserting. Paraffin candles – Remove the pin from your hinges and rub hot wax onto it before reinserting. Olive oil – Use a cotton swab to apply a little bit on top of your hinges.

Why does my door hinge stop squeaking when oiled? ›

Oil always reduces friction on the surface on which it is applied. Hence, upon applying oil on door hinges, the friction does not increase.

How do you fix a noisy door hinge? ›

  1. Step 1: Use Spray Lubricant on Hinges. The first step to resolving this issue is to simply treat the hinges with a spray lubricant. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove Hinge Pins. ...
  3. Step 3: Inspect and Clean Hinge Pins. ...
  4. Step 4: Coat Hinge Pins in White Lithium Grease. ...
  5. Step 5: Reinstall Hinge Pins. ...
  6. Step 6: Wipe Away Excess Grease.
Feb 17, 2023

Should door hinges be lubricated? ›

If the doors on your car creak and groan when they're opened or closed, the hinges are dry and need lubrication. That's not just so they no longer disturb the peace. Without lubrication, hinges can eventually bind and bend, and the doors might twist off center and even stick.

Can I use olive oil instead of WD-40? ›

Olive oil can also work as a WD-40 replacement for metal or plastic areas that need loosening. Plus, its light scent makes it a good choice for applications that might be sensitive to odor. Like vegetable oil, wherever it's applied may call it to become a dust magnet, as well as being sticky.

What cleaner to use on door hinges? ›

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and scrub the hinges with a brush. Rinse with clean water and then dry with a soft cloth. Polish to shine.

Why does my door make a noise when I open it? ›

A squeaky door hinge is usually a result of a lack of lubrication in the hinge or build-up of dirt and dust. The high-pitched squeaking is the rubbing of metal surfaces of the hinge and hinge pin which creates friction and the all too familiar, aggravating sound.

Can you use vegetable oil on door hinges? ›

Grease your hinges with vegetable oil.

If you have a squeaky door or doors, or really if you have doors with hinges that could potentially become annoyingly squeaky in the future, you should grease the hinges with vegetable oil. Add a dab or two of oil to a clean cloth and rub the oiled cloth along the hinge.

How do you lubricate hinges and locks? ›

Wipe the hinge area with a clean rag and spray it with white lithium grease or a few drops of ordinary motor oil. Move the hinge several times to work the grease into the hinge. Be sure to get it into both sides of each hinge.

What is the best lubricant for doors and windows? ›

To lubricate your windows, you'll want to purchase a silicone spray like 3 in one, this is because silicone is not only water-resistant but protects the mechanisms from moisture build-up.

How do you lubricate a door closer? ›

Hinges and door closers should get a few drops of penetrating oil at the top so it runs down into the wearing surface between the pin and the housing. Lock mechanisms that need lubricant should get a shot of dry graphite from a spout-type bottle.

Can I use baby oil on door hinge? ›

Fixing Squeaky Door Hinges

If you notice that your doors squeak each time you open and close them, put a little baby oil on the hinges to lubricate them. It's a quick, effective fix that cost little to nothing.

Why do door hinges turn black? ›

It's caused by the rubbing together of the hinge parts. Microscopic pieces of the metallic coating plus dirt and lubricating oil combine to produce that nasty residue that eventually falls to the floor. Here's how to minimize it. First, remove the hinge pins and then the door from its opening.

Can I leave WD-40 overnight? ›

Restores surfaces to bare metal without scraping, chipping or scrubbing. For light rust, leave parts in 1-3 hours and for heavy rust, leave parts in the rust removal solution overnight.

What happens if you put WD-40 on wood? ›

WD-40 will expertly clean up the wood, and ensure extended protection of the furniture in the long run. Wipe away any residue WD-40 from the surface of the wood, and you're good to go.

Does WD-40 help arthritis? ›

WD-40 Does Not Help Arthritis

Due to the myth that WD-40 helps arthritis, the WD-40 company website includes the following statement regarding the myth (amongst other cool myths, legends and facts)… Fact: This popular headline, appearing at least once a year in the tabloids, is completely FALSE.

What is better than WD-40? ›

Lithium grease

Its non-corrosive, heat-resistant, and adheres well to metal, so it's an excellent WD-40 alternative for jobs involving metal parts such as lubricating a garage door.

What are the side effects of WD-40? ›

High concentrations may cause nasal and respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects such as headache, dizziness and nausea. Intentional abuse may be harmful or fatal. Skin Contact: May cause moderate skin irritation with short-term exposure with redness, itching and burning of the skin.

Does WD-40 work immediately? ›

WD-40 is for immediate lubrication, so it's not ideal for things requiring longer-term lubrication—like a bike chain. That said, the company does sell an alternative product called WD-40 BIKE specifically for this use.

How long should a door hinge last? ›

While it varies, considering a wide range of factors, an average lifetime for a door hinge is around 10-15 years. However, provided they are properly maintained and used in accordance with their specification, some hinges can last double that time.

What is the best lubricant for door locks? ›

What Lubricants are Best for Locks. The best type of lubrication for a lock is a dry lube—such as Teflon (PTFE) or graphite. These types of lubricants repel dust and dirt and keep your lock from building up a gunky and sticky mess.

How long does WD-40 last on metal? ›

It provides non-drying protection that stays where you spray it. It has a long-lasting formula to protect metal parts by blocking rust and corrosion for up to 1 year outdoors or 2 years indoors.

Can I use PB Blaster on squeaky door hinges? ›

Great Lubricant!

This lubricant is amazing. It's probably hands down the best one that we have used. My husband and I used it on different things in our house. We used it on squeaky door hinges, our door and window tracks and also used it on the chain on my daughters bicycle.

Why are my brand new door hinges squeaking? ›

Experiencing the squeaking noise with a newly fitted door may indicate that the hinges have been fitted out of alignment and may need adjusting. If general wear is the case, try the easiest option first by lubricating the hinge without removing it.

Is Vaseline good for squeaky door hinges? ›

If you've got a door hinge that squeals every time you open the door, we've got the fix for you. A little petroleum jelly will rid the hinge of that annoying squeak. The petroleum jelly works its way into the hinge and adheres well, so it won't run off and make a mess like oil or other lubricants.

What is the best product to lubricate car door hinges? ›

Lithium grease

This heavy lubricant is an excellent choice for car door hinges. It repels moisture and can help prevent metal from degrading. It's affordable, and it functions well in extreme weather, holding its own in sub-zero winter temperatures and blistering heat.

Can you use vegetable oil on a squeaky door hinge? ›

If you have a squeaky door or doors, or really if you have doors with hinges that could potentially become annoyingly squeaky in the future, you should grease the hinges with vegetable oil. Add a dab or two of oil to a clean cloth and rub the oiled cloth along the hinge.

How often should you lubricate door hinges? ›

Cleaning and lubrication are basic steps to fix squeaky door hinges. It is necessary to grease them with special mineral or graphite lubricants at least once every 6 months.

Why do some times we apply oil to door hinges? ›

Lubrication always decreases friction between two surfaces. Hence putting oil will decrease friction.

What is the difference between white and black lithium grease? ›

The main difference between the two is the ingredients used to make them. White lithium grease has zinc oxide added to the formulation and it is designed for use in moderate load applications. It also stands out because it has a more visually appealing white colour.

Can you spray WD-40 on car door hinges? ›

If the door squeaks every time you open it, the car door hinge could be bound by corrosion. If so, squirt the hinges with WD-40 to free them, and move the door several times to work in the lubricant.

How do you keep graphite dust off door hinges? ›

First, remove the hinges, one at a time; then wash them in the TSP to remove graphite residue. Then lightly wipe down and rinse any spots on walls or doors with clean, damp cloths to make sure the TSP is gone. When you reinstall the hinges, dry them and apply a very small drop of oil to each one.

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