What Is the Best Lubricant for Door Hinges?
Squeaky and creaky door hinges can be a nuisance in any room in your home. They can be an early alarm clock or even distract your train of thought! To silence them and ensure they’re functional, they must be lubricated well.
But before you grease them, it’s wise to know the best type of lubricant for your door hinges. Knowing this can save noise and frequent reapplication and keep your doors functioning at their optimum.
While several household items and commercial products can serve as temporary solutions, for long-term effectiveness and ease of maintenance, white lithium grease stands out as the best choice for most home environments.
Why White Lithium Grease?
White lithium grease is a thick, durable lubricant that adheres well to metal surfaces, providing a lasting lubrication layer that resists wear and tear. Here’s why it’s the top recommendation:
- Durability: White lithium grease remains effective longer than many other lubricants, reducing the frequency of reapplications.
- Protection: It not only lubricates but also protects metal against rust and corrosion, which is essential for the longevity of your door hinges.
- Versatility: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, white lithium grease can withstand temperature variations and moisture, which are common in different areas of a home.
Application Tips
Applying white lithium grease is straightforward:
- Clean the hinge with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or debris.
- Apply a small amount of grease directly onto the hinge pin.
- Open and close the door several times to distribute the grease evenly within the hinge mechanism.
- Wipe away any excess to prevent dirt accumulation.
Alternatives for Temporary Fixes
If immediate repair is needed and white lithium grease is not available, here are some household items that work as a practical lubricant:
Hairspray
Hairspray is a quick and easy way to stop your door hinge from squeaking. Its polymers help seal the hinge, preventing it from getting loose, moving, and squeaking. Simply spray the hinge pins with the hair spray and open and close the door to let it dry.
Note: Hairspray is only a short-term fix! You’ll need to look for stronger types of lubricant to prevent rusty hinges. Some hair sprays can also leave a sticky residue that invites dust and dirt to build up, making cleaning and maintenance difficult.
Olive oil
Olive oil is easily available in your kitchen and can be a simple short-term solution for lubricating your door hinge. To do this, it’s best to use a pipette or can to ensure your doors are clean and squeak-free.
Note: Olive oil can often thicken and gum the hinge as it ages. Gumming can stop the hinge's smooth operation, often causing more noise and friction. Because of this, it’s often best to look for a long-lasting lubricant.
Bar Soap
Grab a bar of soap from your bathroom or kitchen sink to help lubricate your door hinges. Rub the bar of soap on the hinges to ensure they’re well lubricated, and then open and close the door.
Note: Always select a soap with a good amount of fat in it; organic soaps are often the best for this. If bar soap is exposed to high heat or moisture, then the effectiveness of the lubrication may wear off quickly, which is why a long-term solution may be better.
Petroleum jelly
If you have household products like vaseline that contain petroleum jelly, they can be helpful for lubricating a door hinge. Petroleum jelly's oily properties make it a good lubricant for hinges, stopping them from squeaking.
Note: Petroleum jelly is highly greasy and can leave your hinges looking unappealing or greasy if not applied in small amounts. This might make certain door handles look unattractive in your home.
Silicone Spray
Silicone spray can reduce friction when added onto door hinges but may not last as long as white lithium grease.
Note: Silicone sprays may not penetrate as deeply into the hinge as think lubricants. Because of this, lubrication may be less effective in hinges with significant wear and tear.
Paraffin Candles
If you have paraffin candles in your home, they can also work as a lubricant for your door hinges. The petroleum in the paraffin acts as a lubricant to silence the noise on the hinges. To silence the squeakiness, light the candle and soften the wax. You’ll likely need to remove the hinge pin and grease it with paper towels before putting it back into the hinge.
Note: While paraffin wax can silence noise when applied to the hinges, it’s less effective and long lasting than white lithium grease.
WD40
Another lubricant that is easy to purchase and available in convenience stores is WD40. WD40 has a nozzle allowing you to spray it directly into the hinge.
Note: One drawback of using WD40 is that it’s not long-lasting, and you may need to apply it frequently.
Potential problems
When lubricating your door hinges, be prepared for some potential problems to arise, such as:
- Over lubrication: Too much lubrication may result in an excess build up attracting dirt. It can also make your hinge stick and worsen it.
- Duration of lubrication: Using the wrong type of lubricant may lead to ineffective performance and require frequent reapplication or the purchase of a new one.
- Stains: When you use certain lubricants, such as graphite, the solution can easily transfer to other areas when your door is opened or closed, staining carpets or rugs.
- Misalignment: Lubrication may be insufficient if your door isn ’t hung properly or misaligned. Misalignment can often create further friction, leading to ongoing problems.
- Changes in humidity: Wooden doors are likely to expand and contract in high temperatures. This can cause parts of your door, such as the panels or frame, to shift and squeak as they rub together.
Other Materials
In addition to selecting the proper lubricant, you must use the right materials to help clean the dirt. Here are some materials you may wish to consider:
- Clean cloths or rags: These are needed to clean the hinge area prior and wipe away excess lubricant afterward.
- Newspaper or paper towels: If you have newspaper lying around, this can be a great disposable cloth to wipe down hinges and surrounding areas.
- Hammer and screwdriver: Many door hinges have a pin that holds them together. To ensure proper lubrication, you can use a hammer and screwdriver to tap and remove the pin and apply the lubricant gently.
- Replacement: You may also find that hinges need to be replaced, so carrying a replacement door hinge may be beneficial.
Tips for Lubricating the Door Hinge
Here are some additional tips that can help you to lubricate your door hinges:
1. Soak rusty hinges
If you have rusty hinges or ones that are stuck, add a penetrating oil and let it soak in the oil for 15-30 minutes. Leaving them to soak can help remove rust, dirt and grime, making it easy to remove the hinge pin.
2. Have a friend assist you
To ensure sufficient lubrication, you might want a friend to assist you in lubricating your door hinges. A second pair of hands can help steady the door, making removing and reinserting the pin easy.
3. Think about lubricant melting points
When selecting a lubricant, consider the melting point to determine its effectiveness. Silicone lubricants may be best if you live in a humid area as they can resist moisture and corrosion compared to oil-based ones.
Grease Door Hinges with Precision
Overall, there’s no best lubricant for door hinges! The best type is subjective and depends on the door hinge in your home. If you need instant relief, you may find lubricants around your home, such as hairspray, olive oil, petroleum jelly, paraffin wax, and more.
But note that many of these may only serve as short-term fixes. To ensure a long-term fix, you may need a long-lasting lubricant like white lithium grease. Do note that using lubricants can be linked to risks of staining, visual residue, greasy door handles, and more, so do be conscious when applying.
If your door hinge is still squeaky, you may need a new one. A new and beautiful hinge can silence squeaks while adding a touch of beauty and cohesive design to your home.
Explore MOD Lighting’s resources for the how-to-fix-a-squeaky-door guide and which hinge to buy when replacing an old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be honest, there isn’t really a “best” lubricant to use, as it depends on the door hinge you have. White lithium grease or silicone spray are usually recommended the most, as they tend to be the longest-lasting.
Most of the time, silicone spray is seen as the better option to add lubrication for door hinges, as it’s longer-lasting and non-sticky. It tends to repel moisture without attracting dirt, compared to WD40, which needs frequent reapplication.
The best way to stop squeaky door hinges is to soak them first to remove any rust. Then, clean them with a cloth to remove any excess dirt or grime. Then, use a long-lasting lubricant like silicone spray and spray it into the hinge to take effect. Once applied, open and close the door to ensure it dries quickly.
Yes, vaseline can be a great short-term solution for squeaky door hinges! Vaseline contains petroleum jelly, which acts as a lubricant. Petroleum jelly's oily properties make it a practical lubricant that can temporarily stop squeaky door hinges. On the contrary, petroleum jelly is highly greased and, if not applied in small amounts, can leave hinges greasy.
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