Have you ever noticed that your door hinge starts squeaking for no reason? There are a number of household items that you can use to alleviate the irritating noise that comes with a squeaky door hinge.
Usually, many of us think of WD40 in times like this, but if you’ve run the cupboard and you don’t have any or are just looking for an easy alternative then keep reading for our solutions.
In this article, we are going to help you find the perfect solution to your squeaky door hinges and hopefully restore a bit of peace and quiet in your life.
Is WD40 Good At Fixing Squeaky Doors?
We tend to think of WD40 as capable of loosening anything made of metal in our houses. As WD40 is actually a solvent, it isn’t great for a long-term solution to your squeaky door problems.
Luckily, there are a number of more viscous lubricants that you can find in your house that will outlast the effects of WD40.
How To Stop A Squeaky Door Hinge
If you’re reading this, you’re probably here out for sheer frustration from that squeaky door hinge! But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
With the help of these everyday items that can be found lying around the house, we can put that squeaking to bed.
Olive Oil
As olive oil is an oil, it’s no wonder that a few drops work really well as a lubricant. Apply a few drops with a pipette or any other similar tool to help make the process as clean as possible.
If you’re worried about the oil dripping on the carpets, put down an old cloth or piece of dry cardboard which will absorb any excess oil.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is a definite all-rounder as it can do way more than make your lips nice and soft. The oily properties in the product create lubricating effects which can be great for those squeaky door hinges.
To do this simply rub a small amount of the jelly with a paper towel or kitchen cloth until it has worked its way into the hinge.
If you want to go a step further and really ensure the squeaking stops once and for all, then take the hinge pin out and coat this in petroleum jelly before placing it back in the hinge.
You can always use your fingers to do this but it may get a little messy.
Hairspray
Although we think of hairspray holding things in place, it can be used to stop a squeaky door hinge, and it’s a lot cleaner than other methods.
The polymers in hairspray create a seal around the hinge that stops any loosening or movement from occurring. You only need to spray hairspray a few times for the ideal short-term fix.
Bar Soap
The bars of soap we use to wash ourselves contain natural fats and oils such as palm oil and coconut oil. These are naturally oily lubricants, which you will know if you’ve ever used coconut oil for cooking or as a hair care product.
Rubbing a bar of soap into the hinges of the door helps them to become well-lubricated and stop the squeaking.
To test that you’ve rubbed in enough of the soap, open and close the door a few times to see if the squeaking has subsided. For best results, use an organic soap that has a good quantity of fat in them.
Paraffin Candles
Paraffin candles contain petroleum which can act as a good replacement if you don’t have any petroleum products in the house.
To do this, you’ll need to light the candle in order to soften the wax. For this method, the hinge pin also needs to be removed which makes it a little more difficult.
Once the pin is removed, you need to grease the pin with the melted candle wax and then place it back in the hinge when done. We will say this method is messy compared to others so you could consider it to be more of a last resort.
What Is The Best Lubricant For Door Hinges?
In terms of store-bought lubricants, a silicone spray or lithium grease is the best way to lubricate your door hinges. All in all, we would suggest using a silicone spray as it’s usually less messy and cheaper than grease.
Silicone Spray
WD40 has created its own version of silicone spray which is a highly effective lubricant compared to the original product. It also works well on metal as it protects against corrosion that other lubricants may not do.
For best results, take the hinge pin out of the door and spray with the silicone on a protected surface before wiping away any excess.
Petroleum Jelly
The best household lubricant is considered to be good old petroleum jelly as it can easily work its way into the hinges without running off. After a few swings of the door, you should hear silence from the hinges.
Final Thoughts
Here we have mentioned the best solutions to your squeaky door hinges, but sometimes things just aren’t that simple.
The squeaky hinge could be an indicator of a larger problem, such as a badly fitted door or a really old hinge that is at the end of its life. We suggest investigating further if the problem persists.
We hope you found this article interesting and informative, helping you to stop those squeaky door hinges and get some peace!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Door Hinges To Squeak?
Typically, a squeaky door hinge is the result of a lack of lubrication. Other explanations could include a build-up of dirt or dust, you may find this if you’ve recently had renovations completed in your house.
After any deep-clean or home improvements, use a damp cloth to wipe down the door hinges as much as possible to prevent this sort of build-up.
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