Stop Squeaky Door Hinges
It's enough to drive you crazy, that little squeak every time you open the door or the cupboard! Yet, it's so simple to fix in really no time at all, as you'll learn here.
Contents
Steps
Aerosol lubricating oil
- Use an aerosol lubricating oil. Lubricating oil is perfect for fixing squeakiness. Suitable oil may include WD-40, 4-in-1, or other brands. Ask your hardware retailer if you're not sure what's best for your needs. (See "Tips" below on alternatives in a pinch.)
- The oil used should be capable of penetrating the hinges. An alternative to aerosol is to get a can or container that has a thin nozzle able to access the hinge area.
- Spray the oil right onto the hinge. Open and close the door a few times. It should start to do the trick almost immediately.
Fixing the hinge pin
- If the hinge is still squeaky, remove it completely from the door and slide out the hinge pin. Look for the round hinge pin that sits between the flat plates on the hinge. This hinge pin holds the hinge plates together.
- Use long pliers to move the pin clockwise and counterclockwise to remove it. Be careful not to slip, so as to avoid scraping your knuckles.
- Give the hinge pin a good rub with wire wool. This will remove any dirt or rust which might be causing the squeak.
- If you roll the pin on a flat surface, you might see if it is bent. If the pin is bent, you can put it on a cement floor and tap it with a hammer to straighten it out.
- You can also scrape paint and grime that collects in the hinge with a nail after you remove the pin.
- If you sand down the pin with sandpaper, you can remove the rust and the pin will fit more loosely and the hinge will have less resistance.
- Replace the scrubbed hinge pin back on the door. Spray with spray lubricant or oil.
- Try soap if the wire wool isn't to your liking. Take the hinge pin out and rub with a bar of soap. Replace the hinge and open and close the door a couple of times to allow for the soap to spread through the mechanism.
- Test your oiling. If the door still squeaks when you open and close it, repeat. Keep trying until the squeak disappears. Once you are happy with the door's performance, push the hinge pin back into place and ensure that it is secured.
- Use a rag or paper towel to clean up. Wipe away grime, oil drips, dust, etc. from the hinge area and leave it nice and clean. Dispose of waste in the garbage.
- If the worst comes to the worst and you can't get rid of the squeak, chuck the hinge out and pop down to your local hardware store to find a good replacement.
Vaseline
- Keep opening and closing the door to hear which hinge is making the annoying sound. If its both hinges, take note that you need to fix both.
- Rub Vaseline into the hinge on both sides.
- Open and close the door a few times. Hopefully the squeaking will go away.
Tips
- If you force the hinge pin out with a hammer but if it is very rusted, this could damage the wood. If you let WD-40 sit in the hinge for 24 hours, many times it will loosen up the pin and will help avoid damage to the pin.
- Use the straw provided to stop the oil going everywhere as it can stain.
- If you don't have any suitable oil handy, you can try motor or even cooking oil, although the effects of these won't last as long.
- Replace hinges that are rusted; they are only going to get worse and decay more.
- To get the hinge pin out, try gently hammering a long nail on the bottom of the pin. This will slide the pin up easily. Watch that the door does not fall once you remove the hinge pin. Have a friend hold the door for you or place something under it to take the weight. Internal doors are lightweight but watch out for solid external doors. They can be very heavy!
- Shaving cream works very well if you use a paper towel to rub it on both sides of the door hinge. You don't even have to take it out.
Things You'll Need
- Lubricant oil or spray
- Rags
- Pliers and hammer (if the hinge pin is bent)
