A squeaky door gets on everyone's nerves, and at night it seems twice as loud. The good news is that this is one of the simplest jobs around the home: you can sort it yourself in a few minutes without taking the door off its hinges.
There are usually two causes. Either the hinges have not been lubricated for a long time and metal is rubbing on metal, or the old lubricant has collected dust and turned into sticky grime that drags and squeaks on its own. Seasonal swings in humidity, condensation on front and balcony doors and building dust after renovation all make it worse. That is why hinges need cleaning first, not just a fresh coat of lubricant.
What you will need
Important: Before you start, cover the floor and nearby surfaces with a rag: lubricant on laminate or a light-coloured rug can leave a mark. Move any rug away from the door.
Step 1
Find the squeaky hinge
Most interior doors have two or three hinges. Ask someone to open and close the door slowly while you put your ear close to each hinge in turn. This tells you whether one hinge is squeaking or all of them. Also check that the door has not dropped and is not rubbing on the frame: in that case the noise is not coming from the hinge and lubricant will not help, so tighten the fixings instead.
Step 2
Wipe dust off the outside of the hinges
Use a clean cloth to wipe the visible parts of the hinges and the pin. This matters: if dust stays on the surface, the liquid lubricant will carry it inside and the squeak will come back even sooner.
Step 3
Flush the old grime out of the hinge
Grime forms when dust builds up on old grease over the years. Spray the hinge generously with WD-40 Flexible: it penetrates gaps well and dissolves and flushes out deposits not only from the outside but from the hidden parts of the hinge too. The bendable straw can be shaped to any angle, so the spray goes right between the hinge leaves rather than onto wallpaper or paintwork.
Hold the old rag under the hinge to catch dark drips, and open and close the door a few times so the product works along the whole pin.
Step 4
Lubricate the hinges again
Once no more dirty liquid runs out, wipe off the excess and apply a fresh coat. WD-40 Smart Straw is handy here: with the straw up it sprays precisely, with the straw down it gives a wide spray. WD-40 lubricates, displaces moisture and protects metal from rust, which is especially useful on front and balcony doors.
While you are at it, treat the door lock and latch: a short burst into the mechanism makes the key and handle turn more smoothly.
Step 5
Check the result
Swing the door fully back and forth, stop to stop. If the squeak has gone, wipe away any leftover lubricant with a dry cloth so new dust does not stick to the hinge. If one hinge is still noisy, repeat steps 3 and 4 for that hinge.
Tip: For heavy gates, garden gates, garage and outdoor hinges that work under load, rain and frost, apply
WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease after cleaning. It is thicker, does not run and lasts a long time outdoors.
What next
To keep doors quiet, lubricate the hinges every six months as a routine, and always treat front and balcony doors in autumn before the cold sets in. The same can will come in handy for cupboard doors, window fittings and garage locks.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
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