Most squeaky hinges go quiet with a few squirts of lubricant worked into the joint, and the rest usually need the hinge pin taken out, cleaned and oiled. Both fixes use tools most homes already have. The spray method is the quick one; pulling the pins takes longer, because you do one hinge at a time.
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Why Door Hinges Squeak
A hinge squeaks because of friction between the metal parts. WD-40 puts that friction down to a build-up of rust, dust and debris, plus a lack of lubrication. Bob Vila adds three causes that oil won’t cure on its own: bent hinge knuckles, loose hinge screws that put uneven pressure on the knuckles, and a door that hangs out of line.
So listen first. If the squeak comes from one hinge, start there. If the door also rubs the frame or drops when you lift the handle, check the screws as well as oiling.
What You Need
You need a lubricant, something to catch drips, and a hammer with a nail or punch for the pin. The full kit:
- A lubricant (see the table below)
- Paper towels or an old rag to hold under the hinge
- A hammer
- A nail, nail set or punch, or a flathead screwdriver, to tap the pin out
- Steel wool or an old toothbrush and a grease-cutting cleaner for a dirty pin
- A screwdriver that fits your hinge screws
Which Lubricant to Use
Spray lubricants are easiest to get into the joint; greasier options stay put longer once the pin is out. The common choices, and what each source says about them:
| Lubricant | How to use it | Source |
|---|---|---|
| WD-40 Multi-Use Product with the Smart Straw | Spray straight onto the hinge with a paper towel underneath, then swing the door | WD-40 UK |
| Silicone spray | Spray into the seams between the knuckles; Bob Vila rates it the easiest to apply | Bob Vila |
| Multipurpose oil | A few drops into the hinge; lasts longer than silicone but is messier | Bob Vila |
| Sewing-machine oil | Tap the pin up a little and put a drop or two on the exposed shaft | This Old House |
| Petroleum jelly | Take the pin out and coat it before putting it back | Schlage, Taskrabbit |
| Dry graphite powder | Take the pin out and squeeze the powder down the hole | This Old House |
| Bar soap | Rub it on the hinge as a stop-gap | Schlage |
Household fixes like soap and olive oil are temporary, and Schlage says you will need to reapply them now and then.
Step 1: Try the Spray Fix First
Spray lubricant into the hinge without removing anything, and swing the door to spread it. WD-40’s own steps run like this:
- Wipe the hinge with a clean cloth so it is free of dirt.
- Hold a paper towel under the hinge to catch drips.
- Spray the lubricant straight onto the hinge using the thin straw.
- Open and close the door a few times so it reaches into the small gaps.
- Repeat on the other hinges, then open and close the door again.
Schlage suggests tapping the pin up slightly first, holding the straw about an inch (2.5 cm) away and spraying in short bursts along the hinge so you hit the pin and the seams. Wipe off the excess afterwards. This Old House notes that leftover oil attracts dust, and Schlage recommends a damp, soapy cloth followed by a dry buff.
Step 2: Take the Hinge Pin Out
If the squeak comes back, remove the pin by tapping it upward from underneath. Close the door first, and work on only one pin at a time, as Taskrabbit’s guide advises, so the other hinges keep the door hanging in place.
- Hold a nail or nail set against the bottom of the pin.
- Tap it upward with the hammer until the head of the pin rises out of the top of the hinge.
- Pull the pin out with your fingers.
That is Bob Vila’s method. iFixit shows another way: push a flathead screwdriver into the gap under the pin head and tap the screwdriver handle with the hammer until the pin lifts.
Step 3: Clean and Lubricate the Pin
Clean off the old grime, then coat the pin before it goes back. Bob Vila suggests a household cleaner that cuts through grease, steel wool for a rusty or gummy pin, and a small brush or cotton swab for the inside of the hinge knuckles.
Then pick one method:
- Coat the pin in petroleum jelly (Taskrabbit, Schlage).
- Rest the pin in a bowl of mineral oil and brush oil into the empty hinge (iFixit).
- Hold a rag under the hinge and squeeze a few drops of multipurpose oil into the hinge holes (Bob Vila).
- Squeeze dry graphite powder down the hole (This Old House).
Step 4: Refit, Test and Wipe
Slide the pin back in from the top and tap it down with the hammer if it is tight. Swing the door back and forth several times so the lubricant spreads through the hinge, then wipe away anything that has run out. Move on to the next hinge only when this one is back together.
When Oil Doesn’t Stop the Squeak
Check the hinge screws next, because a loose screw can keep a lubricated hinge squeaking. This Old House says to go round every screw on the hinge plates with a screwdriver. If a screw just spins, take it out, fill the hole with a wooden toothpick and wood glue, then drive the screw back in.
For a hinge that is still gritty, This Old House goes further: remove the hinge, soak the parts in warm, soapy water for up to 30 minutes, scrub them with a soft brush, rinse and lubricate. It rates its full project, which also covers realigning and replacing worn hinges, as easy, with a time estimate of one to two hours and a cost of $5 to $15.
A bent hinge or a sagging door needs adjusting or a new hinge, as Bob Vila notes. Heavy doors are easier to rehang with a second person holding them. Keep the floor wiped as you go: oil drips on tiles are slippery.
