What oil should be used for squeaky door hinges?
2 Answers
Engine oil or edible oil can be used for squeaky door hinges. The following are the reasons for the noise: 1. Uneven contact surfaces: Normally, door hinges should rotate smoothly and freely when opening and closing the door. However, if the contact surfaces between the rotating parts are uneven, it will produce noise. 2. Lack of lubrication: If the door hinges lack lubrication, metal rubbing against metal will create noise. Apply engine oil or edible oil to each hinge of the door, then open and close the door several times to eliminate the noise. Precautions for opening and closing doors: 1. Pay attention to the force when closing the door: When opening and closing the door, be gentle and avoid using excessive force to prevent damage to the hinges. 2. Prevent water from splashing onto the door: Avoid excessive water exposure to the door. When water gets on the door, it may cause the door to sag slightly due to gravity, increasing friction with the ground and misalignment with the door frame. Additionally, water exposure can cause the hinges to rust, further increasing friction noise.
I really enjoy doing DIY car maintenance, and squeaky doors are a common issue I encounter. Last week, I just fixed the problem on our family's old car—every time the door was opened or closed, it made an annoying creaking sound. This kind of noise is usually caused by a lack of lubrication in the door hinges or the door lock mechanism, so the right lubricant is needed. I used a specialized door lubricant, like white lithium grease, which costs around 20 yuan a tube at auto parts stores and lasts a long time. The process is quite simple: first, use a clean cloth to wipe the hinge area, removing old grease and dust. Otherwise, applying new grease will just trap dirt. Then, use a cotton swab or small brush to apply a thin layer of grease—don’t overdo it, or it might drip everywhere. After applying, open and close the door a few times to work the lubricant in. A quick tip: never use cooking oil as a substitute, as it can go rancid and attract more dust, making the noise worse over time. If the hinge is visibly deformed, you’ll need to take it to a repair shop for adjustment.
