7 Easy Ways to Fix a Squeaky Door Hinge in Five Minutes or Less
Picture it: you’ve poured your morning coffee, and you’re making your way to your patio to watch the sunrise. You slide into your warmest slippers, grab your Kindle, reach for the doorknob — and let the eeeeeerrrrrr of your squeaky door hinge announce your presence to the world.
Maybe you enjoy the sound of screeching metal punctuating your comings and goings, but we’re willing to bet you don’t. That’s why we’re sharing these seven TikTok-tested ways to silence that door hinge for good — and fast.
But first, a note about WD-40. If you planned on slapping some WD-40 onto that screeching hinge, reconsider. Turns out WD-40 isn't a lubricant. As Brad, Phil and Jack over at The Home Improvements Channel UK, note, "Many people confuse WD-40 as a go-to, but that’s actually a water dispersant.” (If you, like us, scratched your head at "water dispersant," it essentially means the product in question is designed to reduce moisture.)
In other words, what most of us think of as the best lubricant for a squeaky door hinge isn’t designed for that purpose after all. Sure, WD-40 can aid with noise reduction in the short term, but it’s not a suitable long-range solution. Here, 7 solutions that are!
1. Buff the hinge with a bar of soap
You know that bar of soap that’s been in your shower caddy a little too long? Before you throw it away, repurpose it on that squealing hinge. Simply take the bar of soap, rub it along the hinges, and voila!
Pro tip: Make sure the soap is dry. Not only is wet soap less-than-pleasant to deal with (and slippery!), but excess water won’t do your hinges any favors. That added moisture could lead to rust formation, and the only thing worse than a creaky door is a crusty one.
Related: Soap Slivers Freshen Your Linens, & 9 More Ways To Use Up Thin, Leftover Sud Slices
2. Dab the hinge with dish detergent
If you’re not keen on using your favorite body bar on your home improvement projects, you can always try liquid dish soap instead. Apply the dish detergent directly to the door hinge or use your finger to rub it in. The slick liquid lubricates the metal so the door can move smoothly and quietly.
Don’t go overboard here: You only need a dollop. Any more than that, and you risk gunking up the hinge. For extra protection (and easier cleanup), hold a washcloth under the door hinge to catch any soapy spills. (Click through for more genius uses for dish soap.)
3. Plop on some petroleum jelly
Door hinges squeak due to metal parts coming into contact with each other, explains home-improvement contractor Andrew Wilson, founder of ContractorAdvisorly.com. “Petroleum jelly does wonders to lubricate the metal, instantly banishing that noise.” First, unleash your inner detective to sleuth out which hinge is the culprit. Then, use a hammer to gently pop out the hinge pin. Once you’ve removed the pin, coat the pin in a thin layer of petroleum jelly before tapping it back into place.
Petroleum jelly can get messy if you’re not careful, so we recommend enlisting the help of a cotton swab for this particular TikTok hack. Click through for more brilliant uses for petroleum jelly.)
To see this trick in action, watch the video below!
4. Rub on deodorant
You read that right: The same deodorant you trust to help you fight the funk can also help you tackle your nuisance door hinge.
What we love about this hack is that it works whether you use traditional stick deodorant or a spray version. For good old-fashioned stick deodorant, you’ll want to rub the product directly onto the hinge. If you’re working with aerosol deodorant, all you have to do is point and spray.
To see this trick in action, watch the video below!
5. Hush that hinge with hairspray
Speaking of bathroom products that double as home-maintenance helpers, your extra-hold hairspray is more than just a style-setter. The same polymers that help hairspray maintain curls and updos also help it lubricate and seal squeaky door hinges.
While you don’t want to douse the entire door in Aquanet, you do want to give the offending hinge a good spritz. Hold the hairspray nozzle an inch or two away from the hinge and spray 2 to 3 times along its length.
6. (Olive) oil it up
You might have seen a few creative uses for cooking oil, but did you know it can grease your squeaky door hinges, too? Vegetable oil, peanut oil, olive oil, cooking spray – whatever you have on hand will do.
“Simply pour a little on a rag and dab it on the hinge, then open and close the door a few times to work the oil into it, and the sound will be silenced,” says handyman Rick Berres of Honey-Doers.com. The oil dislodges the grime in the hinge, preventing noisy friction between the metal pieces. And just like with the dish detergent, a little oil goes a long way. Prefer a cleaner smell? Opt for baby oil instead.
7. Slather on shaving cream
Shaving cream is another unexpected shower staple that will work wonders on your creaking hinge. To maximize its effectiveness, don’t rub off the foam right away.
Instead, apply the shaving cream to the door hinge and immediately move the door back and forth. Wait until the squeaking stops to wipe away any excess. That way, you’ll be sure enough of the product has worked its way into the hinge to make a difference. Oils in the shaving cream coat the hinge just as well as other lubricants, without a strong chemical odor.
What to do if your door starts squeaking again
A persistent squeak could mean your hinges need to be cleaned or replaced. Door hinges, like any other surface in the home, will accumulate dust and grime throughout the years. Not only could this keep your lubricant of choice from doing its job, it could also contribute to your hinge’s squeakiness. Besides, adding product on top of any existing residue will only increase buildup over time.
To combat this, Levi K., owner of Levi’s Home Repair, recommends removing the hinge pins one at a time and giving the hinges a solid wipe-down. Once you’ve cleaned the hinges, follow up with a thin layer of lubricant.
While you’re at it, check to make sure all of the pins are straight. If any are bent, Levi warns, those hinges will likely need replacing sooner rather than later."
For more life hacks, click through the links below!
How to Find and Fix a Leak in an Air Mattress — Genius Soap Trick Makes It So Easy
How To Fix a Broken Zipper at Home — No Trip To the Tailor Required!
This TikTok Hack Uses Pool Noodles To Prevent Creases in Pants — Would You Try It?
