A squeaking hinge is metal rubbing on metal with nothing in between. Any oil will quieten it for a day. The trick is an oil that creeps into the joint and stays there without turning sticky or collecting dust.
Door hinges
Open the door fully so the hinge knuckle is exposed. Spray a short burst of Ballistol into the top of the knuckle, where the pin goes in, and swing the door back and forth until the squeak stops. Wipe off the drips straight away.
If it still squeaks, tap the hinge pin up with a nail set and a hammer until it is halfway out, wipe the pin clean, oil it and tap it back in. That fixes nearly every stubborn hinge.
Locks and padlocks
Stiff locks are usually full of dust and old grease rather than short of oil. Spray into the keyhole, insert the key and turn it a few times, then pull it out and wipe it. Repeat once or twice. Padlocks on sheds and gates benefit from a spray every autumn, because water in the shackle holes freezes and rusts the mechanism.
Frozen car and gate locks
Prevention is easier than cure. Spray door locks, boot locks and gate padlocks before the first frost. Ballistol displaces water, so there is nothing left to freeze. If a lock has already frozen, warm the key in your hand (never with a naked flame near an aerosol), push it in gently and spray around it.
Sliding doors, windows and drawers
Clean the track with a brush and damp cloth first, because grit is usually the real problem. Then put a thin film of oil on the runners or rollers, not the whole track. For wardrobe and patio doors that need a dry finish, PTFE spray won't attract dust.
Other quick jobs
- Letterbox flaps and door closers.
- Garage door rollers and springs.
- Squeaky office chairs and bed frames (oil the bolt joints).
- Scissors and secateurs (see our garden tool care guide).
- Stiff zips on bags and coats (apply with a cotton bud, then work the zip).
Mind the floor: put a cloth or newspaper under the hinge before you spray. Oil on carpet or a wooden floor is harder to remove than the squeak.
