How to Lubricate Door Hinges (With or Without Removing Them)

If you have a squeaky door or one that’s difficult to open, lubricating the hinges can help solve your issues. Luckily, there are a lot of commercial and household products that work great as door hinge lube! Whether your hinges have removable pins or they’re permanent, applying lubricant is easy. Keep reading, and we’ll walk through how to lubricate the hinges and recommend the best products for the job. Plus, we’ll cover how to troubleshoot the problem if lubricating doesn’t work.

Easiest Way to Grease Door Hinges

Tap the bottom of the hinge pin with a hammer and screwdriver to push it out from the hinge. Apply an oil or grease lubricant to the hinge pin and inside the hinge barrels. Reinsert the pin, and move the door back and forth to spread the lubricant. If multiple hinges are squeaky, lubricate and reinsert one at a time.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Lubricate Door Hinge Pins

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1
Remove the hinge pin with a hammer and screwdriver. The hinge pins are rod-shaped pieces that hold the 2 pieces of the hinge together. Close the door you’re working on so it stays supported while you’re working. Home improvement specialist Gino Colucci recommends “using a center punch, old screwdriver, or something of a similar size. Place the tip against the bottom of the hinge pin in the center. Strike the tool with a hammer to push the pin upward until you can grasp it with your hand.”
- If your hinge pin is rusted or won’t move, check our guide on removing stuck hinge pins .
- Some older door hinges don’t have removable hinge pins. If you don’t see a separate pin on your hinge, try our method for lubricating non-removable hinge pins .
2
Apply lubricant to the hinge pin. After removing the hinge pin, wipe off any old grease and grime using a disposable rag or paper towel. Then, put on a pair of disposable gloves and rub a thin coat of lubricant directly onto the hinge pin. ^{[1]
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- Put some of the lubricant inside the hinge barrels as well. Just be sure to hold a paper towel or rag underneath the hinge so the lubricant doesn’t drip onto the floor.
- There are a lot of effective lubricants you can use to fix your hinges, including some common household items you may already own. Check our list of the best lubricants to use on your hinges below.
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3
Reassemble the hinge. Push the hinge pin back into place and ensure that it is secured. You may have to lift the door up slightly so the hinge barrels line up straight. ^{[2]
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- If you can’t push the hinge pin in by hand, line the pin up with the hinge and place a piece of scrap wood on top of it. Tap the wood with a hammer so you can get more leverage and avoid damaging the pin.
4
Open and close the door to spread the lubricant. Swing the door open and closed several times so the lubricant evenly coats the insides of the hinge. As the lube spreads out, the hinge will get quieter and easier to open. ^{[3]
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- If you still hear squeaking coming from the hinge, take it out and apply more lubricant.
- If multiple hinges are squeaking or difficult to open, remove each of the remaining pins one at a time. Wipe them off with a clean paper towel or cloth before reapplying the lubricant and pushing them back into place. ^{[4]
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Wipe away any excess grime, oil drips, and dust from the hinge so it looks clean. Leaving the buildup of grime on the hinge could attract extra dirt and dust, and it may cause the hinge to get squeaky again.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Grease Door Hinges without Removing Them

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1
Apply lubricant to the outside of the hinge. Lubricant oil or lubricant spray with a narrow nozzle works best for non-removable door hinges because it’s easier to get inside of the hinge. Place a few drops or a few sprays of the lube near the top of the hinge and around the cylindrical barrels. ^{[5]
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- Start with only a little lubricant at first. You can always use more if you didn’t apply enough the first time.
- Other lubricants can work on non-removable hinges, though greases may not be as effective because they’re less likely to get inside the hinge.
- Tip: Set the rag or paper towels on the floor underneath the hinge. Alternatively, hold them directly under the hinge with one hand while you work to prevent any spills.
2
Open and close the door to spread the lube. Swing the door back and forth so the lubricant can move down the hinge and pin. When the lube coats the inside of the hinge, it will prevent the pieces from rubbing together and squeaking. ^{[6]
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- If you still hear squeaking from the hinge, apply a little bit more lubricant to the top of the hinge and continue moving the door.
- If the other hinges are still squeaking when you open and close the door, move on to the next hinge on your door. Lubricate the hinges one at a time so it’s easier to keep your workspace clean.

Section 3 of 5:

Best Lubricant for Door Hinges

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1

Silicone spray Silicone oil spray is considered one of the easiest and best lubricants to use because it applies clean and lasts a long time. The silicone coats the pieces of the hinge so they don’t rub together and create friction when you open and close your door. ^{[7]
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Lubricant oil has a thin consistency so it easily coats the hinge and prevents the pieces from rubbing together. Place a few drops of the oil onto the pieces of the hinge, and rub it in with your finger or a paper towel. ^{[8]
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Graphite spray Graphite spray is a dry powder that helps reduce friction inside of the hinge so it opens and closes smoothly. Simply spray the graphite powder onto the hinge pin and inside the hinge barrels to lubricate them. ^{[9]
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- Graphite powder can stain or leave black marks on carpeting, so only use it around hard flooring that’s easier to clean
4
White lithium grease White lithium grease has a thicker consistency than other lubricant oils, so it tends to last longer on door hinges. Spread the grease in a thin layer over the pin and hinge barrels so they open and close silently. ^{[10]
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- Lithium grease works well on exterior doors because it’s weather-resistant.
5
WD-40 WD-40 is a penetrating spray that helps clean and lubricate the hinges when you apply it. Simply direct the nozzle around the moving parts of the hinge and lightly spray it with the WD-40. ^{[11]
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- Be sure to wipe off any overspray around the hinge when you’re finished.
6

Petroleum jelly In a pinch, petroleum jelly , like Vaseline, is similar to other lubricant greases you can use on hinges. Just take a fingertip-sized amount and rub it onto the hinges. If you’re able to remove the pin, use a cotton swab to apply the petroleum jelly inside the hinge barrels. ^{[12]
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Cooking oils If you have vegetable oil or olive oil in your kitchen, it will also work well as a lubricant for your door hinges. Just dab a little bit of the cooking oil onto a paper towel and rub it onto the hinge pins. ^{[13]
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- Alternatively, put the oil into a syringe and slowly apply it around the top of the hinge.
- Cooking oils may attract more dirt and dust than other lubricants, so it’s best to use them in a pinch.
8

Paraffin wax Paraffin wax is used for making candles and waterproofing, but it also helps reduce friction on door hinges. Melt the wax in a pot and carefully apply it to the pin and hinge pieces with a cotton swab. Let the wax dry again before reassembling your hinge. ^{[14]
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Bar soap If you have a spare bar of soap at home, rub it against the outside of the hinge to transfer a thin layer to the surface. Wipe away any excess soap from your hinges with a paper towel when you’re finished. ^{[15]
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Section 4 of 5:

Dealing with Stuck Hinge Pins

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Apply penetrating spray to the hinge pin before removing it. Penetrating oil spray breaks through rust and lubricates the metal pieces so you can remove the hinge pin. Spray a liberal amount of penetrating spray onto the hinge and let it sit for up to 12 hours. After that, try to tap it out with a screwdriver and hammer. ^{[16]
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Clean rust off the hinge pins with sandpaper . If there’s rust buildup along the main length of the pin, rub it with medium-grit sandpaper. Try to remove as much of the rust from the surface as you can until the hinge pin is smooth. ^{[17]
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Roll the pin on a flat surface to see if it is bent, and examine the pin for signs of wear. If it's bent, straighten it out by putting it on a cement floor and tapping it with a hammer. Then, try inserting it back into the hinge.

Section 5 of 5:

What to Do if Your Door Still Squeaks

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1
Tighten loose screws on the hinges. If the hinges are loose on your wall or door, they may hang crooked and scrape against the pins. Use a screwdriver to tighten all of the hinge screws until they feel secure. Then, open and close your door to check if the squeaking sounds have gone away. ^{[18]
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- If the screws are loose and won’t tighten, fix the screw holes by filling them with wooden dowels or golf tees.
2
Straighten out the hinge barrels. Shut the door, and tap the hinge pin out from the bottom with a screwdriver and hammer. It the cylindrical hinge barrels on the door or wall look crooked or misaligned, set the pin’s head against the barrel. Then, tap the other end of the pin with your hammer to push the barrel into the proper position. ^{[19]
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- When you’re finished, reinstall the hinge pin and test the door.
- Don’t forget to lubricate the hinge pin while you have it removed.
3
Switch to ball-bearing hinges . Ryaan Tuttle, a home improvement specialist, mentions “most doors just have kind of cheap hinges on them and they're rubbing,” which creates a squeaking sound. Ball bearing hinges have small metal bearings inside them so they open more smoothly. Tuttle continues, “ball-bearing hinges will eliminate all the squeaking and rubbing.”
- When you replace the hinges , make sure you get the same size as the old ones so they easily fit onto the door and wall frame.
4
Contact a repair person if your door still squeaks. If you still can’t find the cause of your door squeaking after fixing or replacing the hinges, then reach out to a general contractor or repair service in your area. Let them know your door is still squeaking or sticking and what you’ve already tried.
- Squeaking or sticking may be signs of uneven flooring or a warped frame.

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What causes door hinges to squeak?

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.

Ryaan Tuttle

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

A lot of doors have cheap hinges that rub on themselves in a squeak—you'll find little metal shavings at the bottom of the hinge because of it. Switching to ball-bearing hinges can help eliminate all the squeaking and rubbing.

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My boyfriend boiled my TV mount for my plasma TV. How do I remove the oil from the hinges?

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Use any kind of lemon based soap, apply thick layer and leave overnight, wipe with cloth the next day.

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Lubricating door hinges only fixes the squeaking temporarily. Wipe dirt and dust off the hinges regularly, and lubricate them again whenever they start squeaking.

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How to Lubricate Door Hinges (With or Without Removing Them)

Easiest Way to Grease Door Hinges

Steps

How to Lubricate Door Hinge Pins

How to Grease Door Hinges without Removing Them

Best Lubricant for Door Hinges

Dealing with Stuck Hinge Pins

What to Do if Your Door Still Squeaks

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