How to Fix Squeaky Doors in Your House

You know it’s time to fix squeaky doors when you find yourself cringing, wincing or rolling your eyes every time someone uses a certain door at home.

If you’ve forgotten what silence sounds like, the good news is, it can be easy to fix. All you often need to do is lubricate the hinges.

Read on for tips to help you make the squeak disappear using common household products. You’ll be the hero of the household—and you likely won’t even need to make a trip to the hardware store.

Choose your tool

When fixing squeaky door hinges, silicon spray is the obvious choice—nearly everyone has a can of WD-40 laying around somewhere.

Some experts say this type of common lubricant can do more harm than good though—it can attract dust, dirt and even cause discolouration over time. So, if you can’t find spray lubricant—or don’t want to use it—take a tour around your house and see whether you have any of these handy alternatives lying around.

• Olive oil – Believe it or not, you can use this kitchen product to fix a squeaky door. In fact, any type of vegetable oil will do the trick.
• Bar soap – Any type of soap will do, as long as it’s not glycerine (which is usually clear, like Pears). It should be slightly damp before you rub on the hinges.
• Petroleum jelly – It’s not just for moisturizing your chapped lips anymore. This age-old beauty product can smooth the creaking that is causing you squeaky door headaches.

Lubricate the hinge

Apply any of the above products the top of the hinge and swing the door a few times to work it into the hardware. If you’re still getting a squeak, remove the pin from the hinge and apply more product to it. You can push the pin out by gently hammering a nail underneath it until it comes out the top.

Remember, when removing the pin, the hinge will become loose. So only do one hinge at a time and have a spotter handy to brace the door.

Because all of these products are gentle, they shouldn’t cause any damage to the wood or paint of the door or frame. But, be sure to have a rag or paper towel handy to wipe up any excess product or to catch drips and avoid making a mess.

When to call a professional

If you’ve tried lubricating the hinges and the door continues to squeak, it may be time to call in professional reinforcement. The hinge may need replacing or it could be a problem with the frame itself. Otherwise, persistent squeaking, combined with a few other red flags like a sticking door, could potentially indicate an issue with the foundation. Contact a contractor or home repair person to investigate the underlying cause. They will likely be able to help you make the repairs you need to achieve the peace and quiet you’ve been looking for.

Now that you know how to fix squeaky doors, what other easy fixable problems can you solve around the home? Read more handy tips in our blog.