How to Use Vaseline on Door Hinges to Stop Squeaking

As door hinges continually rub against one another, the resulting friction causes an irritating squeaking. Proper DIY maintenance can easily stop the hinges from making rattling noises. But can you apply petroleum jelly to stop door hinges from squeaking?

Vaseline petroleum jelly acts as a lubricant and will stop door hinges from squeaking. Apply a generous amount of Vaseline onto the noisy hinges using a q-tip and swing the door a few times for the jelly to work its way into the hinge and work as a lubricant.

Petroleum jelly is a quick fix for noisy hinges but you still want to ensure you have the right lubricant and door hinge tool such as Hinge Hero for the job if you want to stop the problem for good.

Can you use Vaseline on squeaking door hinges?

Yes, you can apply Vaseline or any other petroleum jelly product as a fix for noisy, squeaking door hinges. The jelly does not run off and will work its way into the hinges after a few swings to provide lubrication. Once it settles and distributes, the door hinges will be quiet.

Vaseline is a product brand whose line includes various skincare products, including petroleum jelly. Over the years, Vaseline petroleum jelly has found more unorthodox uses. For example, if you don’t have a lubricant at hand, you can apply Vaseline to silence squeaky door hinges.

It can also silence many other parts that make noise, such as rattling ceiling fans. However, it may not last as long as high-quality lubricants such as LiquidFix Door Lock and Hinge Lubricant and WD-40. You still want proper oil for your door hinges and garage doors.

How to Use Vaseline on Door Hinges

Here’s how to use Vaseline to lubricate door hinges:

1. Remove the door hinge pins

First, close the door and find where the hinge pins are located. Then, free the hinge pins from the door hinge using a nail and a hammer. Once the pins are free, take them out using the hammer claw. I prefer to use a door hinge pin remover.

With the door now free from its frame, you can now start working on cleaning and lubricating it using Vaseline. To prevent any unwanted injuries, it’s advisable to lean the door against the wall. You can also work as a team of two, with the other person helping you to hold the door.

2. Clean the hinge pins

It’s not only friction that causes door hinges to produce a squeaky sound. Sometimes, rust, dirt and dust particles build up between the hinges, causing them to produce the same kind of noise. Therefore, before applying Vaseline to the hinges, we recommend cleaning the hinges to get rid of the gunk and dirt.

A steel wool pad will easily scrub the rust, dirt, and gunk off the door hinges. Add a few drops of household cleaning solution onto the steel wool pad and rub against the hinges in circular motions.

3. Apply Vaseline petroleum jelly

After cleaning the hinge pins, coat them with Vaseline. It works to stop the squeaking sound by minimizing friction at the points where the hinges rub against each other.

Simply rub the Vaseline onto the pins using your hand. Once you’ve worked the jelly into the hinges, reinstall your door.

The main advantage of using Vaseline petroleum jelly over liquid lubricants is that you won’t have excess lubricant spilling on the floor. Lubricant spills can cause floor damage. In addition, Vaseline doesn’t attract dirt and dust as much as lubricants like WD-40.

4. Put the pins back into their hinges

Wiggle the pins back into the hinges until steady. Finish off by hitting against the pins with a nail and hammer.

5. Test the door hinges

Once you’ve replaced the hinge pins and reattached the door to the frame, test it to ensure there’s no more squeaking sound. Open and shut the door multiple times and listen out for any noises from the hinges. If the door hinges are still squeaking, you may need to remove the pins and apply more Vaseline.

If this fix does not work for you, replace the noisy hinge with a new one.

Can you use Vaseline on sliding doors?

It can be frustrating when your sliding doors don’t open as easily as they used to. Fortunately, you can use Vaseline to make your sliding door track slide more smoothly.

Here’s a quick, two-step procedure on how to use Vaseline on sliding doors:

1. Clean the sliding door track

Built-up dirt and grime usually make it difficult to move a sliding door. That’s why cleaning the sliding door track is important before applying Vaseline petroleum jelly. A multipurpose spray cleaner will effectively do the job.

Simply apply it on the sliding track and let it sit for half an hour to soak up all the grime. Afterward, wipe off all the grime and cleaner residue using a piece of cloth.

Another great option is to use a vacuum cleaner if you don’t have a spray cleaner. The device’s crevice attachment can easily fit into the sliding door’s track and suck up dirt and dust particles.

2. Lubricate the sliding door track with Vaseline

Use your finger or an old toothbrush to apply Vaseline along the sliding door’s track. Then, move the sliding door back and forth to ensure the petroleum jelly is evenly distributed on the track. At this point, your sliding door should be able to open and close smoothly.

Alternatives to Vaseline for Door Hinges

Many homeowners prefer using Vaseline for their squeaky doors as it’s usually readily available, thus helping them cut expenses. However, if money isn’t an issue, you can opt for other solutions to fix your squeaky door hinges. We’ve gone through the most common ones below:

  • Commercial lubricants – these are the most common solution for squeaky door hinges. One particularly popular product is WD-40.
  • Bar soap – coating your door hinges with bar soap will also get rid of the squeaky sound when opening or closing it.
  • Fish Oil – an eco-friendly alternative to commercial lubricants.
  • White lithium grease
  • Silicone spray
  • Plumber’s grease

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