Fix Squeaky Doors Using These Kitchen Essentials

The sound of a squeaky door is annoying to say the least. While the screeching can be a result of various issues, such as misalignment of the door and frame, an old, rotting door frame, or a swollen wooden door, the most common cause is usually friction due to poorly lubricated hinges that are often also dirty and covered with grime, dust, or rust. The good news is that there's an easy fix for the unlubricated hinges using kitchen essentials you likely already have in your pantry, such as cooking oil.

That's right, you don't need to purchase any specialty lubricants or pay for expensive professional services to fix the squeak. Since cooking oil is, after all, an oil, it has lubricating properties that can resolve the friction on the hinges. You can use any cooking oil you have on hand, such as nut oil, coconut oil, or any other vegetable oil. In fact, this is one of the surprising ways to use olive oil in your home. Go for the cheapest bottle on your shelf and leave the pricey stuff for your culinary use.

Other squeaky door hacks worth trying use unexpected kitchen supplies like mayonnaise, cooking spray, and bar soap. Bar soap may not be as common in many kitchens, but some homeowners actually prefer it to liquid dish soap because it's eco-friendly. As you may have already guessed, all of these supplies can serve as lubricants because they also contain oil.

To use kitchen essentials to fix a squeaky door, first wipe the hinges with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, dust, or grime. If you have an eye dropper, use it to apply a few drops of cooking oil (if that's the kitchen essential you choose) on the hinges. Alternatively, cotton balls or simply rubbing with your finger can also work for this application process. And in case you decide to use bar soap for this unexpected household use, just rub the soap against the hinges, aiming to get it inside the crevices. Next, open and close the door a few times to coax the oil or soap into the inner parts of the hinges for optimum lubrication. Finally, wipe away any excess oil or soap residue using a clean cloth or paper towel.

If the squeaky sound isn't entirely eliminated, take this a step further by removing the hinge pins, lubricating them, and reinstalling them one at a time. To remove a hinge pin, position a screwdriver on the bottom end of the pin and, using a hammer, tap the screwdriver to push the pin out. Once the pin moves upwards, grip it with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull it out. Now clean the pin using steel wool and apply your DIY lubricant. Finally, reinstall the pin in the hinge by tapping it down using the hammer. Open and close the door again to confirm the squeaky sound is gone, and you're all set.