Interior and front door handles are pressed dozens of times a day, so over the years the mechanism works loose, squeaks, gets stiff or stops returning to its resting position. Dry centrally heated air in flats and damp porches in houses make this even more common.
Before buying a new set, try repairing the old one. In most cases all it takes is cleaning and lubricating the mechanism, checking the return spring and tightening the screws.
What you will need
Important: Close the door or wedge it while you work so it cannot swing. Keep small parts and screws in a separate container. Test the product on a hidden spot before treating wooden or painted rosettes.
Step 1
Try freeing the handle without dismantling it
If the handle is simply stiff, start with the easy fix. Open the door and use the WD-40 Smart Straw to spray the latch (the bevelled tongue that moves when you press the handle) and the gap at the base of the handle. Press the handle several times to work the product in. This is often enough, especially with older metal mechanisms.
Step 2
Remove the handle
If the problem remains, find the screws on both rosettes or backplates. Sometimes they are hidden under a decorative cover that twists or prises off with a screwdriver, or the handle is held by a small grub screw that takes a hex key. Remove the screws, carefully separate the two halves and pull out the square spindle.
Step 3
Clean off rust and dirt
Inspect the springs, levers and sockets. Treat rusty or dirty areas with WD-40 Multi-Use, wait a minute, then scrub with the toothbrush. The product softens rust and grime so they wipe away easily with a rag.
Step 4
Check the spring and lubricate moving parts
If the handle will not spring back up, the return spring is usually to blame: it has broken, bent or slipped. Seat it back with pliers or replace a broken one with an identical part. If the square socket has worn round and the spindle spins freely, the mechanism needs replacing.
Apply the product to the springs, levers and spindle so the handle moves smoothly and quietly.
Step 5
Reassemble and tighten the fixings
Insert the spindle, bring the two halves together, making sure the small parts sit correctly, and refit the screws. Replace worn or stripped screws with new ones of the same size. A wobbly handle nearly always means loose through-bolts, so tighten them firmly but without excessive force.
Step 6
Test it and remember the windows
Open and close the door several times to spread the product. Where you still feel resistance, add a little more product to that spot.
Window handles and locking rods are maintained in a similar way: treat the handle mechanism with WD-40, and the guides and rods that need to stay clean with WD-40 Specialist Silicone, which does not attract dust.
Tip: Do not overdo the spray: excess runs down the door and collects dust. Two short applications with a pause are better than one heavy one.
What next
Inspect and lubricate door handles once a year, and front or heavily used doors every six months. Use the same WD-40 Multi-Use on the hinges and lock cylinder so the door works quietly and smoothly.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».