Your door hinge squeaks. Metal rubbing on metal. That friction wears down the hinge parts over time, and if you ignore it long enough, you'll need new hinges. Which costs anywhere from 50 to 200$ depending on the door.
People grab WD-40 because it's sitting in the garage. Bad idea. WD-40 is a solvent and water displacer, not a lubricant—it actually strips away whatever oil is left on your hinges and dries them out faster. You'll get maybe 2-4 weeks of quiet before the squeaking comes back worse.
Same problem with olive oil or other kitchen oils people try. Works for a week or two, then it gums up the mechanism as it oxidizes. Creates more friction than you started with.
White lithium grease fixes this properly. It's thick, stays where you put it, and lasts 6-12 months per application. Handles temperatures from -20°F to 400°F from what I understand, so it works on exterior doors in winter and summer without breaking down. One application and you're done for the year.
This article covers what actually works, how to apply it without making a mess, and what to do when hinges are too far gone to save. Takes about 5 minutes to lubricate a hinge properly—well, maybe 10 if you're being thorough or it's your first time.
Commercial Lubricants That Actually Work
White Lithium Grease
Thick white paste that sticks to metal. Doesn't drip or run off like oils do. The thickness is the point—it stays on the hinge pin and creates a barrier that stops metal-on-metal contact.
Temperature range is -20°F to 400°F according to most brands, though I've heard some might vary. Check your specific product. That matters if you have exterior doors in climates with real winters or hot summers. The grease doesn't break down in heat or freeze solid in cold.
Lasts 6-12 months depending on how much you use the door. Front doors and garage entries wear out faster than bedroom doors. Heavy-traffic areas need reapplication closer to the 6-month mark, sometimes less if you've got kids slamming doors constantly.
Apply it directly to the hinge pin after you pull it out. Small amount—pea-sized. Too much and you'll have excess dripping down the door frame which is annoying to clean up later. Swing the door open and closed 10-15 times to work it in, then wipe off anything that squeezes out.
Best for: exterior doors, heavy doors, and any high-traffic entry points.
Silicone Spray
Thinner than lithium grease. Comes in an aerosol can. Sprays on, penetrates fast, and doesn't leave much residue. That's good for interior doors where you don't want greasy buildup.
Lasts 3-6 months. Not as long as lithium grease because it's not as thick, but the tradeoff is cleaner application. No grease on your hands or door frames.
Moisture resistant, which helps in bathrooms and coastal areas where humidity is high. Silicone forms a water-repellent layer on the metal. Rust is less likely to form, though nothing's completely rust-proof if you're in a really humid environment.
Works on brass, stainless steel, and aluminum hinges without causing chemical reactions or degradation. Some lubricants react with certain metals—silicone doesn't, or at least I've never seen it happen.
Spray directly on the hinge pin, work the door back and forth, wipe excess. Simple.
Best for indoor doors where you want things clean and quiet without heavy grease.
Graphite Powder
Dry lubricant. Looks like fine black powder. Doesn't attract dust or dirt because there's no oil or grease in it.
Lasts 4-8 months on interior hinges. The layered molecular structure of graphite creates slippery surfaces when compressed—that's how it reduces friction without being wet.
Problem: it's black powder. Gets on carpet, floors, and walls if you're not careful. Stains beige carpet permanently. Not great if you have light-colored flooring near the door. I learned this the hard way on a rental property once.
Temperature range is actually insane—works from -40°F to 850°F supposedly. Not that your door will ever see those temperatures unless your house is on fire, but it means graphite won't fail in normal conditions.
Apply with a squeeze bottle that has a precision tip. Puff it onto the hinge pin and barrel. Don't overdo it or you'll have black dust everywhere.
Good for living rooms, bedrooms, offices where you want cleanliness and don't need maximum protection against weather.
Household Items That Work Temporarily
Sometimes you don't have proper lubricant and the squeaking is driving you crazy. These work for a week or two. That's it.
Hairspray
Spray it on the hinge pin. Polymers in hairspray create a temporary seal that stops loose movement. Lasts 1-2 weeks.
The sticky residue collects dust and dirt fast. Makes cleaning harder later. Doesn't prevent rust. Only use this if you're desperate and planning to buy real lubricant soon. I've seen people use hairspray on literally everything that squeaks—cabinet doors, desk drawers, even their car door once. It's like the universal quick fix for mechanical noise in bathrooms, which is weird because it's not actually designed for that.
Olive Oil
Put 2-3 drops on the hinge pin with a pipette or oil can. Works immediately. Friction drops, squeaking stops.
Problem starts around week 3. Olive oil oxidizes and thickens. Gets gummy. Creates more friction than it eliminates. After a month your hinge will be worse than when you started.
Wipe down the door frame right after application because olive oil drips. It gets sticky as it ages and attracts every speck of dust in your house.
Bar Soap
Rub a bar of soap directly on the hinge until it's well-coated. Palm and coconut oils in soap provide temporary lubrication. Works for 1-2 weeks.
High heat or moisture kills it fast. Soap melts in humid bathrooms or hot attics. Pick soaps with high fat content for slightly better performance—those fancy organic soaps with shea butter actually work better than regular Irish Spring.
Petroleum Jelly
Thick and greasy. Stops squeaking by coating everything. Lasts 1-2 weeks in moderate temperatures.
Looks terrible on hinges unless you apply it very sparingly. Hardens below 32°F. Melts above 85°F. Temperature sensitivity makes it unreliable for exterior doors.
Remove the hinge pin, coat it completely, reinsert. Or rub it on the outside and work it in. Either way, use minimal amounts or you'll have grease dripping down your door.
Paraffin Wax
Light a candle, melt some wax, coat the hinge pin with it using paper towels. Lasts 1-3 weeks.
Messy process. Wax hardens fast so you need to work quickly. Less effective than lithium grease by a wide margin. Requires frequent reapplication.
Only use this in emergencies. It's not a real solution.
What to Avoid
WD-40 Limitations: WD-40 acts as a water displacer and solvent rather than a true lubricant, providing temporary squeak relief for 2-4 weeks before drying out hinge components. The product removes existing lubrication from hinge pins, causing increased friction and accelerated wear over time. Apply WD-40 frequently for temporary effectiveness or use it as a cleaner before applying proper lubricant.
Materials Needed for Lubrication
- Clean cloths or rags - Remove dirt from hinge areas before lubrication and wipe away excess lubricant afterward
- Newspaper or paper towels - Serve as disposable materials to wipe down hinges and surrounding areas during maintenance
- Hammer and screwdriver - Enable gentle tapping to remove hinge pins for thorough lubrication access
- Replacement hinges - Should be available when existing hinges show severe wear, warping, or irreparable damage
- Penetrating oil - Keep on hand for soaking rusty hinges before lubrication attempts
Step-by-Step Application Process
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clean hinge with dry cloth | Removes dirt and debris before application |
| 2 | Remove hinge pin with hammer | Enables thorough cleaning and direct lubricant access |
| 3 | Apply lubricant to pin and barrel | Ensures complete coverage on friction surfaces |
| 4 | Reinsert pin and swing door 10-15 times | Distributes lubricant evenly throughout mechanism |
| 5 | Wipe excess lubricant immediately | Prevents drips and dust attraction on surfaces |
Common Problems and Solutions
Over-Lubrication
More is not better. Excess lubricant drips onto walls and floors. Creates sticky buildup that attracts dirt. Makes hinges stick instead of swing smoothly.
Pea-sized amounts work. Anything more is waste.
Wrong Product Selection
Household alternatives last 1-3 weeks. Commercial products last 3-12 months. People use olive oil because it's convenient, then wonder why they're reapplying it every two weeks.
White lithium grease costs about 6, or 8 even more depending where you shop. One can lasts for years. Stop being cheap and buy the right product.
Graphite Stain Formation
Graphite transfers to everything it touches. Carpets, rugs, walls. Test it on a hidden spot first if you're worried about staining. Once it's on beige carpet it's permanent.
Oil-based lubricants drip if you apply too much. Test application amounts on exterior doors before using indoors.
Ignoring Alignment
Lubrication doesn't fix misaligned doors. If your door hangs crooked, it creates friction that no amount of lubricant will eliminate. Fix the alignment first, then—well, actually you should probably check alignment before even bothering with lubricant. Save yourself the trouble.
Misalignment happens from loose screws, settling foundations, or warped door frames. Tighten screws. Check if the door sits level. Adjust hinges if needed.
Humidity Changes
Wooden doors expand in humidity and contract in dry conditions. The door panel itself rubs against the frame during expansion. That squeaking isn't hinge-related. Lubrication won't help.
Address humidity problems separately. Weather stripping, dehumidifiers, or allowing clearance for seasonal expansion.
Professional Maintenance Tips
Soak Rusty Hinges
Soak rusty hinges in penetrating oil for 15-30 minutes before trying to remove pins. Rust bonds metal together. You'll bend or break pins if you force them without soaking first.
Fine steel wool or rust remover helps with heavily corroded hinges. Clean off rust before applying fresh lubricant, or you're just coating rust with grease which seems pointless.
Enlist Assistance
Get help with heavy exterior doors. Someone needs to hold the door steady while you work on hinges. Door weight makes pin removal and reinsertion difficult alone, especially those solid wood exterior doors that weigh like 80 pounds.
Consider Melting Points
Check lubricant temperature specifications against your climate. Silicone handles moisture better than oil in humid areas last I checked. Lithium grease handles temperature extremes better than anything else.
Maintenance Schedule
- Interior doors: every 6 months
- Exterior doors: every 3 months because weather exposure breaks down lubricants faster
- High-traffic commercial doors: every 2-3 months
- Emergency situations: immediately when you hear squeaking, regardless of schedule
Inspect hinges quarterly. Look for rust formation, loose screws, visible wear patterns. Tighten screws during inspections. Loose screws cause misalignment which creates more friction.
Lubricant Comparison Chart
| Lubricant Type | Duration | Best Application | Temperature Range | Mess Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Lithium Grease | 6-12 months | Exterior/heavy doors | -20°F to 400°F | Moderate |
| Silicone Spray | 3-6 months | Interior doors | 0°F to 350°F | Low |
| Graphite Powder | 4-8 months | Clean indoor areas | -40°F to 850°F | Minimal |
| Hairspray | 1-2 weeks | Emergency fixes | 32°F to 100°F | Low |
| Olive Oil | 2-3 weeks | Temporary solution | 50°F to 90°F | Moderate |
| Bar Soap | 1-2 weeks | Quick fixes | 40°F to 85°F | Low |
| Petroleum Jelly | 1-2 weeks | Short-term use | 40°F to 85°F | High |
| Paraffin Wax | 1-3 weeks | Temporary relief | 45°F to 95°F | Moderate |
When to Replace Hinges
- Replace hinges when they're warped or bent. Lubrication doesn't fix structural damage.
- Replace them when pins won't remove due to rust fusion or when excessive rust has eaten through metal. You can't lubricate away holes in metal.
- Replace them when doors won't stay aligned after multiple adjustment attempts. That means the hinge structure failed.
- Replace them when grinding noises continue despite proper lubrication. Worn barrel surfaces or damaged pins can't be fixed with grease.
Match replacement hinges to door weight, usage frequency, environmental exposure, and finish. Heavy doors need heavy-duty hinges. Exterior doors need rust-resistant finishes. Don't cheap out on replacement hinges or you'll replace them again in a year.
Final Recommendation
So yeah, lithium grease. That's the one you want for exterior and heavy-duty doors. Silicone spray for interior applications. These two options cover pretty much everything except maybe some weird specialty situation, but I can't think of one off the top of my head.
Keep household alternatives for actual emergencies only. They don't work long enough to be reliable solutions.
Follow the 5-step application process. Don't skip cleaning. Don't use too much. Don't forget to wipe excess.
Takes 5 minutes per door, maybe 10 if you're careful. Lasts 6-12 months with proper product selection. Stop ignoring squeaky hinges or you'll pay for replacement hinges instead of a $6 can of lithium grease.