Every home has that one door. You try to slip out quietly in the early morning, only to be betrayed by a high-pitched screech that seems to echo through the entire house. Squeaky door hinges are a common household nuisance, but they are also incredibly easy to fix.
Before you call a professional or resolve to live with the noise forever, you can silence those hinges in just a few minutes using items you probably already have in your cabinets. The most common culprit behind a squeaking door is friction. Over time, the factory lubricant wears off, allowing the metal parts of the hinge to rub against each other.
If you need a fast fix, reach for a can of multi-purpose lubricant spray. Simply spray a small amount directly onto the hinge pin. Swing the door back and forth several times to distribute the liquid throughout the joint.
Wipe away any excess drips with a paper towel so it does not stain your woodwork. If you do not have commercial lubricant on hand, your kitchen or bathroom can provide excellent alternatives. Cooking spray, olive oil, or even a dab of petroleum jelly can work wonders.
For petroleum jelly, rub a generous amount over the outside of the hinge and work the door open and shut. The movement will draw the jelly down into the hinge mechanism. If the squeak is particularly stubborn, you may need to remove the hinge pin entirely.
To do this, close the door and place a nail at the bottom of the hinge pin. Tap the nail gently with a hammer to push the pin upward. Once it pops up, pull it out and wipe away any accumulated dirt or rust with a bit of steel wool.
Coat the clean pin with your chosen lubricant, slide it back into place, and secure it with a final tap of the hammer. While wet lubricants are convenient, they can sometimes attract dust over time. For a cleaner, longer-lasting solution, consider using paraffin wax or powdered graphite.
Rubbing a bar of paraffin wax or a candle stub against the hinge pin provides a dry layer of lubrication that will not gather grime. By taking just ten minutes to address these noisy hinges, you can restore peace and quiet to your home and enjoy a perfectly silent doorway.