Squeaky noise that the door makes sometimes is very irritating. Most of the time it is because of regular wear and tear. Low-quality, dusty hinges tend to make the worse squeaky noise. And the noise is a sign of hinge degradation, telling you to take action right now. And that is where the best door hinge lubricants strike.
Once people used to use grease, olive oil, lube, food-grade oils, etc. Since there wasn’t a proper option that’s why people opted for those but now we have proper lubricant. If you want to restore your degrading door hinges and get rid of the irritating noise, then make sure to look at the following 5 best lubricants for door hinges.
5 Best Lubricant For Squeaky Door Hinges [Reviewed]:
1. WD-40 Multi-Use Product with SMART STRAW SPRAY
The WD-40 Multi-Use spray turns out to work incredibly is making the hinges life better. In fact, it is one the highest-rated door hinge lubricant of the market, which obviously means good about this very lubricant. From the price to the performance, everything seems to satisfy the users pretty well and that is the reason why it is extremely popular in the present time. There is a lot to talk about this very door hinge lubricant, lets dive into them one by one.
We have seen some cheap WD-40 lubes which takes a lot of time to get dried properly. But this is not the case when you use this WD-40 multi-use lube, it dries way too faster. You can use this lube to different areas as well apart from door hinges. It could be used in wheels, rollers, pulleys, even in chains as well.
This lube not only smoothens the door hinges but it provides protection from rust as well, works as a rust-resistant coating. You can use this spray in two ways, either you can spray in regular. Or you can use the stray. Well, we would suggest using the straw when spraying because that will offer accuracy. You will be able to get the lube exactly where you want that to be. Plus, using a straw is safe as well since you will be spraying from a distance so there is less chance the fumes will reach you.
After applying, this lube will remove tar, gum, grime, grease, etc. from the applied area. It will loosen the rust as well. This comes into play when you have to remove a rusty hinge pin. Just spray on the pin and let it soak. You will be able to get that off easily after a while.
The Pros
- Two cans contain a good amount of lube.
- It dries pretty faster.
- Can be applied in different metals as well.
- Protects metal from rust and corrosion.
- Very easy to apply with the stray.
The Con
- Spraying without the straw is ineffective.
2. Permatex 80070 Silicone Spray Lubricant
Not everyone likes thick grease as a lubricant, some likes light lubricants that are easy to apply and doesn’t accumulate dust. If you are one of them, then we have the Permatex 80070 Silicone Spray Lubricant for you. It is a silicon spray that performs really good when used in things like door hinges. And the most satisfying thing about this very spray is its price. It comes at an extremely low price which makes it affordable for everyone.
Unlike most lubricants, apart from metals, you can use this lubricant on plastic, rubber, car paints, etc. as well. Sometimes windows get stuck, hinges get stuck, all you have to do is apply a little bit of this lubricant and let it soak there. The problem will be solved very easily. Another very satisfying feature of this very spray is, it doesn’t have any odor that might irritate everyone around the applied area.
When applied this lube works like a coating, it offers protection from rust and corrosion. And it dries pretty fast, within 10 to 15-minutes. It is a waterproof lube and can be used all kind of mechanical items. And lastly, it doesn’t make areas dirty by accumulating dust.
The Pros
- It is a waterproof lube.
- It doesn’t accumulate dust and debris.
- Dries pretty fast.
- Lasts longer.
- Smoothens the hinges pretty well.
- It has no odor.
- Comes at an extremely low price.
The Con
- It cannot withstand extreme weather conditions.
3. WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant
This WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant does wonder when applied to a suitable area. It is one of the finest lube for door hinges. Actually saying that wouldn’t be appropriate because not only door hinges, it works incredibly in different items doesn’t matter what the material is. Whether it is metal, plastic, rubber, etc. it will work fine.
It is not a greasy lube that takes time to dry and before it dries it accumulates all the dust and debris to make the hinge look dirty. It is a silicon spray that dries after 5 to 10-minutes of applying it. And it doesn’t accumulate dust and debris. Applying this accurately on the needed area is very easy, all thanks to the straw application which ensures the lube goes exactly as planned. Not to forget, it comes with two needles, one is for very thin stream and another is a little thick.
With this very lube, there wouldn’t be any moisture damage, and it smoothens the hinges properly by minimizing the friction. And lastly, this lube is stain-proof. One thing we want to warn you about, there are different versions of this silicon spray, some are for heavy machinery, and make sure you don’t pick that.
The Pros
- Very easy to apply with the needle.
- Rust and waterproof lube.
- Dries pretty fast and doesn’t accumulate dust.
- Suitable for different materials.
- The best solution for squeaky doors.
The Con
- Little expensive.
4. DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant Aerosol Spray
The DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant Aerosol Spray comes in different variants and they are suitable for different use. But this one is a multi-use lubricant aerosol spray. It contains Teflon in order to provide good wear protection. Teflon increases lubricity as well. This very spray works as rust and corrosion-resistant coating as well, thanks to the corrosion and rust-resistant properties that it contains. It is a wet-style lube which makes it stay for a long period. And it is highly water-resistant so it can be used in outdoor door hinges as well.
This silicon-free lubricant formula gives protection from heavy moisture and also it can withstand heavy temperature as well, -30-degree F to 300-degree F. However, one thing that people tend to dislike about this lube is its dry time. It takes 12 to 24 hours to get dried properly. Apart from that, it is all good, the lubrication is on point.
The Pros
- Corrosion and rust-resistant.
- Water-resistant lubricant.
- Very easy to apply.
- Can withstand heavy temperature.
- Long time lubrication.
The Con
- Takes up to 24-hours to get dried.
5. WD-40 Specialist Protective White Lithium Grease Spray
Here comes the last lube of the list, yet another top-performing one, the WD-40 Specialist Protective White Lithium Grease Spray. For jammed door hinges or windows, this one works like magic. The quality it comes it is worth looking in. It is a lithium grease formula and works best in rainy seasons. After applying it on the hinges it creates a thick coating that protects the hinges from rust and corrosion. In other words, make the hinges corrosion and rust-resistant, and it lasts long.
Since it is a liquid formula, applying it is extremely convenient. And top of that there is a straw as well which makes applying more accurate. It lubricates the hinges pretty well, and the lubrication lasts really long. If your door hinges are making noise, after applying this lube they should be quite. Not only door hinges it works every metal item. And it dries pretty fast as well.
The Pros
- Long-lasting lubrication.
- Dries pretty fast.
- Very easy to apply.
- Corrosion and rust protection.
The Con
- The nozzle it comes with is weak.
Why Lubricants Are Important?
Lubricant plays a big in people’s everyday life. Whether it is small door hinges or giant factory machines, a lubricant is a must for everything that causes friction. Without lubrication, every machine will break down within a short time. Let us tell you what exactly lubrication does and what are the types of lubricants and their use.
Minimized Friction
The main purpose of lubrication is to minimize the friction as much as possible. When two things continuously rub against each other that is what causes friction. And the friction is the reason of wear and tear which causes degradation. Plus, friction produces heat which turns kinetic energy into thermal energy.
When you apply the proper lubricant over the objects the rubs against each other, the friction will get minimized. There is nothing that can eliminate the friction, there isn’t any way, all you can do it minimize it. Using the right lubricant for the job will make a slick layer between the two rubbing objects and that is what does the magic.
Types of Lubricants
There are different types of lubricants but among them, two are extremely famous and widely used, the white lithium grease and silicone spray. White lithium grease is for giant machines, this lubricant lasts extremely long and only suitable for metal. It can damage other materials very easily. White lithium grease is robust and corrosion-resistant. However, this grease accumulates dirt and leaves thick messy residue but the performance easily outweighs this issue.
On the contrary, silicon spray is for home use. It is a very light-weight lubricant that can be used in items like door hinges. Apart from that, it can be used on other surfaces as well such as plastic, nylon, etc. This lubricant doesn’t gather dust or dirt, it is clean.
Apart from these two, there are some other lubricants as well which are WD-40, PTFE, graphite lubricant, etc. Though WD-40 is called as a lubricant but it is best in cleaning metal items. PTFE is the upgrade version of the silicon version. And the graphite lubricant is only used for locks, it doesn’t jam it since it doesn’t accumulate dust when others easily jam the lock.
Why Should You Use Lubricant on the Door Hinges?
Well, there are many reasons why you should lubricate the door hinges after every while but we have mentioned the most major ones below. Have a look.
Smoothness
After a while of use doors starts to stick when opening or closing, everyone has experienced that. If you have top-quality door hinges install, you might experience this after a lot of time but you will surely experience. Sometimes this happens because of the wrong alignment of the hinges, with regular use, sometimes the hinges start malfunctioning, though that is rare. The most common reason is friction and wear and tear. And when you apply lubricant on the hinges the friction gets minimized and it starts functioning very smoothly.
Reduces Noise
Noise during the opening and closing of the door is experienced by everyone. It also happens because of friction, dust, and rust. Mainly it is the friction and since lubricant minimizes the friction it eliminates the noise.
Rust and Corrosion
Rust and corrosion are common in door hinges, they damage the hinges very fast which is why hinges don’t function well after a while. Use lubricant on hinges it will give protection from rust and corrosion. In other words, the lubricant will increase the lifespan of the hinges.
How to Choose the Best Door Hinge Lubricant?
We saw a lot of people complaining about hinge lubricants, some people didn’t find the lubrication they picked effective. Well, we would say, if you choose the wrong lubricant for the job, obviously that is not going to perform. You cannot put a machine lubricant on door hinges and then expect work. That wouldn’t work as expected so that doesn’t mean the machine lubricant isn’t good. It is because you chose the wrong one for the task.
In order to eliminate the risk, we have made an in-depth buying guide where we mentioned a few factors which will definitely lead you to the right hinge lubricant. Here you Go.
Type
We have mentioned this before but saying again. Every machine requires lubricants, not only machines, things that cause frictions they require lubrication most of the time. And there are different types of lubricants and serves a different purpose. You have to know the types so that you will be able to pick the right one. Since we are talking about door hinges, for that the type of lubricant you will be needing is Silicon Spray, nothing else. This lubricant doesn’t accumulate dirt and nor it leaves messy grime, so the hinge will remain clean.
Odor
Some lubricants come with bad odor since you will be using on the house door hinge then make sure to choose one that doesn’t come with bad odor. Also, make sure to choose one that doesn’t spoil the air quality. There are lubricants that don’t come with bad odor and keeps air quality good as well. Before buying the check the review section and see what users are saying about the odor and all. You should get accurate information from there.
Container
Lubricants come in a bottle and can. The container plays a big role when it comes down to applying the lubricant on the selected area. For door hinges the best container would be the bottle spray, you will be able to apply lubricant very easily with it. Large cans are sometimes very inconvenient.
Safety Concern
Some lubricants come with harsh chemicals and fumes which could be damaging for humans. So make sure to choose a lubricant that doesn’t come with any toxic fumes. There are silicon sprays which don’t contain any toxic material, go with them.
How to Lubricate Door Hinges?
Lubricating door hinges is very easy, you just need the right direction and you can get is done properly. Below we have designed a step by step guide on lubricating door hinges easily, take a look.
Locate the Hinge Pin
There is a hinge pin in the hinge which holds the components together. It is a round smooth pin, placed in the middle two flat plates that hold the doors. You have to pull that off. But as we said, this is what holds the door, so pulling that off will leave the hold on the doors. You have to have someone who will hold the door when you are pulling the pin off.
Remove the pin
Have someone holding the door and use a long plier to remove the pin. With the plier, you will have to move the pin anti-clockwise but make sure you don’t scrap the knuckles. Sometimes you can remove the pin by finger as well but it is better to go with the plier.
Rusty Hinges
If your door hinges are making noise or sticking, then it is because of the rust or dust. Removing rusty hinge pin could be a little hard but if you do it the right way it will come to lose very easily. For that, you will be needing a screwdriver of decent size and PB blaster. Apply some penetrating lubricant (You can use WD-40 lubricant in this case, it penetrates better) on the rusty hinge pin and let it soak for 12-hours at least.
- Sometimes people use a hammer to loosen the hinge pin but it doesn’t always work. If the rust is high and the pin is stuck strongly, and you are hammering continuously, this can damage the hinge. Not only that, but it can also even damage the door and break the hinge.
- Our suggestion would be to be as gentle as possible. First check the rust condition, if that is extremely rusty with the screwdriver try to push from the bottom a bit. If you see the pin is moving a bit, then with a hammer hit gently. And see the progress. Do not keep hammering if you don’t see any result.
Examine the pin
Once you have removed the pin, put that on a flat surface to see if that got bent. Rolling the pin on the flat surface should tell you whether it is bent or not. If you see that it got bent a bit, then you will have to straighten it before installing it. And you will want to get rid of all the rust as well before installing the pin again.
Put the pin on a hard flat surface like cement floor and then tap with the hammer on the bent area, keep tapping until it gets back to the shape. Be gentle. And sand down the pin to get rid of the rust. Sanding it will clean all the old grease grime of the hinge. Then wipe that with a cloth. Once you have cleaned it properly, now add the lubrication you purchase. Over lubrication wouldn’t benefit you so use as much as needed.
Assemble the hinge
You are done, now put the pin back into the place and make sure it is secured and placed properly. After assembling it open/close the door couple of times to spread the lubricant. If you have done everything as mentioned, the hinge shouldn’t make any noise anymore. And if that does, then you have to repeat the process again.
Conclusion
We have mentioned above but saying again, there are different types of lubricants in the market and they all work for lubricating things but different things. Lube for door hinges are different, lube for giant machinery is different. Just make sure you don’t pick any wrong one when purchasing because it is confusing.
If you want to get your hands on the best lubricant for door hinges effortlessly, we suggest you go through the 5 models we have reviews. According to the users, they are performing just fine. And we have mentioned what users are not satisfied with as well, so you can decide wisely.
