What can I use to lubricate my door?

Author: Miss Guadalupe Rempel V  |  Last update: Saturday, August 16, 2025

8 Lubricants For Squeaky Door Hinges
  • Bar Soap. Bar soaps contain fats and oils (such as palm and coconut) that will help lubricate those squeaky hinges. ...
  • Olive Oil. Olive oil is a simple solution for fixing squeaking hinges. ...
  • Petroleum Jelly. ...
  • Paraffin Candles. ...
  • GT85. ...
  • Silicone Spray. ...
  • Lithium Grease.

What is the best lubricant for doors?

For door hinge oil, your best option is to use silicone spray or white lithium grease. Silicone is the easiest, but it does not last as long as the grease. When used properly, the mess is minimal.

Can you use olive oil on door?

The ingredients in this Olive Oil and Lemon Foot Treatment have several properties that are beneficial to dry, rough feet. The Olive oil is extremely moisturizing while both the salt and lemon have antiseptic and antifungal properties.

Can you use WD-40 on doors?

Yes, You can use WD-40 on a squeaky door as many times as you want. A spray lithium grease would last much longer than WD-40.

How do you lubricate a door?

For a more permanent fix, consider using a dedicated lubricant like WD-40, silicone spray, or even a few drops of machine oil. To apply, simply spray or apply the lubricant directly onto the hinges, then open and close the door a few times to work it into the mechanism.

How to Lubricate Locks and Door Hinges

What is a natural lubricant for squeaky doors?

Olive Oil. Our first lubrication option is olive oil, which most people have sitting in their kitchen cabinets. Olive oil is a substance that's more than able to take care of creaky or squeaky hinges due to its viscous nature.

Will WD-40 stop a door from sticking?

Clean and Lubricate

Dirt and grime build up from around your house can cause friction so that the door unfortunately sticks. Clean the door and frame with soapy water, then apply a lubricant like WD-40 to the hinges.

What should you not use WD-40 on?

7 places to never use WD-40 — you'll be surprised
  • Hinges. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Bike chains. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Locks. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. ...
  • Sensitive electronics. ...
  • Wax polishes and some wax coatings. ...
  • Anything that comes into contact with food.

How to stop a squeaky door?

Hairspray should work in the short term, but you'll want to look at our other solutions for a longer fix.
  1. Bar Soap. Bar soaps contain fats and oils (such as palm and coconut) that will help lubricate those squeaky hinges. ...
  2. Olive Oil. ...
  3. Petroleum Jelly. ...
  4. Paraffin Candles. ...
  5. GT85. ...
  6. Silicone Spray. ...
  7. Lithium Grease.

Can I use vegetable oil on door?

Grease your hinges with vegetable oil.

Add a dab or two of oil to a clean cloth and rub the oiled cloth along the hinge. Be especially sure to get some at the top where the pin goes into the hinge. Then, open and close the door a few times. If it's still squeaking, remove the pin and apply more oil.

Can you use baby oil on door?

The next time you're trying to unlatch a stuck door handle or sweet-talk a too-tight screw during an appliance fix, simply reach for the baby oil tucked away in your bathroom closet. Its lubricating properties make for a mess-free solution to loosening just about anything or for quieting a squeaky hinge.

What oil do you use on a stuck door?

Once you get a can of WD-40, you can get your door lubricated within minutes and open jammed doors with the utmost ease. It also helps you maintain the smooth functioning of your door lock.

What is the best oil for exterior doors?

The best oil for wood doors varies depending on wood type, but the best brands will consist mainly of either Tung or linseed oil, or a combination of both. For optimal results, you can buy pure linseed oil: it takes a little longer to dry, but it's best for the long-term health of wood exterior doors.

How do you make a door not squeak without WD-40?

Rub Bar Soap on the Hinges

Bar soap has a lot of fat and oil in them that make them a great lubricant for treating a squeaky door.

What is the best product to stop squeaky doors?

WD-40® Multi-Use Product will be adequate to solve most causes of a squeaky door hinge. This formula is designed to lubricate moving metal parts, clean dirt, oil and grime and protect against corrosion and moisture. Simply put, the Multi-Use Product is ideal for attacking any issue present in the hinge of your door.

What is the WD-40 trick?

Cut down on snow shoveling time with this neat trick: Spray the original WD-40 formula on both sides of your shovel before you start. Watch snow, ice and slush slide off the surface. No more stopping every few steps to dislodge built-up snow from your shovel.

Can I use WD-40 to lubricate door locks?

Should I use WD40 to lubricate door locks? The simple answer is you should not use WD40 to lubricate locks. WD-40 is one of the solvent-based lubricants and does not contain any lubricant and over time can make your lock even stickier by gumming the lock up.

What happens if you put WD-40 on wood?

WD-40 is generally not recommended for use on wood finishes. While it might not cause immediate or obvious damage, it can have several negative effects over time: Residue: WD-40 can leave an oily residue on the wood surface, which can attract dust and dirt, making the wood look dirty or greasy.

How do you lubricate a sticking door?

WD-40 or another silicone-based lubricant (or even wax) can help fix a sticking door by reducing friction. However, be sure to wipe off any excess lubricant, as too much can actually make the problem worse.

How to stop doors from sticking in summer?

If the door is sticking in several places, it could be swollen because of the humidity. This is likely to be the problem if your door sticks in summer, but is fine during the winter. If you have one, try running your air conditioner to get rid of the moisture in the air. Running a dehumidifier can help, too.

Is WD-40 good for doors?

Remember, WD-40 may be a handy product to have around, but it's not the right choice for your garage door. It can attract dirt, damage the finish, and only provide a temporary fix from squeaks and squeals. Instead, look for a lubricant that's specifically designed for garage doors.

Why do doors suddenly stick?

If it has recently rained or the humidity is otherwise high, the wood can swell causing “sticking” doors. As the humidity decreases the wood will once again shrink and the problem disappears. If you notice that the door doesn't stick year-round, this is probably what's happening.

How to fix a door that swells in the summer?

Solutions to Address the Swelling of Doors
  1. Air Drying. For minor swelling, you can use any of the following to fix the door: ...
  2. Sanding. You can also use some sandpaper or sander to get the door sanded and absorb the moisture from the door. ...
  3. Sealing/Painting/Polishing. ...
  4. Replacing the Door.

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