Have you ever put a key into a door lock and had it get stuck or found the lock was hard to turn? How about trying to open a padlock that’s been outside a while or stored away, and it’s so hard to open it hurts your fingers? This has happened to me so many times, especially here in Fl. Did you know this is easy to prevent? Today I’m going to share with you a simple way to lubricate door locks and hinges so this doesn’t happen to you.
Our salt air is especially brutal to locks, hinges and moving metal parts, even more so on the ones that are exposed to outside elements. Around here it doesn’t take long before things freeze up, stick or are ruined from being outside. I’ve put this simple home maintenance item on my seasonal to do list and beat the problem, for good.
How to lubricate door locks and hinges
Lubricating door locks and hinges only takes a few minutes and can help extend the life of your locks and keep them working smoothly. I’m using 3-IN-ONE® Lock Dry Lube for today’s task.
Follow these simple steps to lubricate door locks and hinges.
1. Shake well.
Mix the Dry Lock Lube well by shaking the can.
2. Assemble the spray straw and line up the spray indicators.
Dry Lock Lube comes with a straw that’s taped to the can. Pop the top off, line up the arrow on the spray nozzle with the dot on the rim of the Lock Dry Lube, and insert the straw into the spray head. The straw will help the Lock Dry Lube get deep into the nooks of the lock.
3. Expose the latch opening.
To lubricate a door lock, turn the doorknob so the latch recesses into the faceplate.
4. Apply the lubricant.
Place the end of the straw into the latch opening and apply a quick squirt of lubricant. Turn the doorknob back and forth to help work the lubricant into the lock. Next, line the straw up to the keyhole and give a brief squirt into the keyhole.
Last, squirt a small amount of Lock Dry Lube onto the hinges. Be sure to wipe any lubricant that drips with a clean towel.
When you’re done, re-tape the straw back on the can or use the recessed notches in the lid to hold the straw and store it until the next door lock maintenance schedule.
One of the best features to me is is that Dry Lock Lube isn’t greasy. It dries fast and is colorless. I made a quick video to share with you guys how easy it is to lubricate door locks and hinges in just a few minutes.
Since I already had my Lock Dry Lube out, I did a quick pass around the inside and outside of my home looking for more items that needed some protection from the elements and lubrication.
Lock Dry Lube is also fantastic for unsticking stuck locks and more! Our kayak seats have clips that are always hard to open or frozen shut because the salt water is so corrosive. One quick squirt and I was able to unfreeze the stuck ones and get all of them to operate smoothly. One can of Lock Dry Lube cost way less than purchasing new clips for the kayaks!
Dry Lock Lube lubricates and protects these items too
- outdoor locks and padlocks
- mailbox hinges
- car door locks
- toolbox hinges
- drawer glides
- sports clips
- window tracks
How often should you lubricate your door locks and hinges? Unless your door lock came with specific instructions, there’s no set schedule. Once a year may be fine for your inside door locks, knobs and hinges. Locks that are exposed to the elements outdoors should be lubricated as needed. Don’t forget to put this item on your seasonal maintenance checklist or mark your calendar.
You’ll find lots of other useful home maintenance uses on the 3 IN One Handy U website too!
Do you have locks and hinges that stick too?
Geri Ann says
Hi Wendi,
Thank you for posting this. It was timed perfectly for me. My dead lock and door knob started sticking and making the door increasingly hard to open and close. I thought I’d have to replace the lock and deadbolt because it had seen better days. I live in Florida near the intracoastal so metal rusts in this climate (as you know). But then, I read your post, followed your advice, and viola it worked!!! Thank you so very much… 🙂 Geri Ann
Wendi says
Hi Geri! You’re so welcome! I’m thrilled my tip was useful for you. I know how bad metal rusts on the intracoastal we have that problem too. I’ve also sprayed my indoor metal lights with a clear poly sealer (spray paint can) and it’s protected them from rusting too. I wish I’d done that for my outside lights. I love getting notes like yours, thanks so much for taking the time to send it 🙂
Geri Ann says
Wow, never thought about the indoor lights, I do have one that rusted. Wendi, you’re a genius!!!
Wendi says
Oh my gosh, you have to try a clear coating on your lights! I did this to a super cheap light fixture thinking I didn’t really ruin anything if it didn’t work. It’s been five years and it’s held up better than my expensive lights. Let me know how it goes if you try it and feel free to ask any questions if you need more help on it 🙂
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Great tips – great video, Wendi!
Wendi says
Hi & thank you Marie. This is such an easy & necessary task. Plus, I love this stuff. I’ve used it on everything the last few weeks and it works like magic!
Lisa says
I need this in my life like right now. My front door could use this application.
Thanks for the video too!
Wendi says
Hi Lisa! I know how you feel, my door locks are old and were sticking before this post. I’ve used this stuff on everything ever since, even a rusted ladder that wouldn’t open! Thanks so much for your visit!
Angie @ Knick of Time says
Thanks so much for this tip, Wendi, and the video!
Wendi says
Hi Angie and thank you for your visit! I always overlook the easy home maintenance items like this one but they make such a big difference… especially when I’ve ignored it and our doors are sticking!
Patti says
Looks like a handy product to have and I probably would never have heard of it if I wasn’t reading your blog. Thanks.
Wendi says
Hi Patti! All of the 3 IN One products are awesome. Funny thing is, our parents probably had or have a can of the oil somewhere in their toolbox. It’s been around that long! Thanks so much for your visit!
gail says
Great tips Wendi! I rarely do this kind of maintenance. WAIT! rarely? who are we kidding-more like never. 🙂
thanks for the tips!
gail
ps I love the video too!
Wendi says
Me too Gail! This was so easy and I unstuck several locks while I had my Lock Dry Lube out. This is on my seasonal maintenance list now. Thanks so much for your visit!!
Patty says
Great tips Wendi as always. thank you.
Wendi says
Hi Patti! Thank you as always too! p.s. This really is a good maintenance item to put on the to do list:)
Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says
Such a great post – I have a lock that sticks in our house (it’s an old house with mostly old locks!) and this is a good reminder and way to fix it! I’ll add it to my fall home checklist! Thanks!
Wendi says
Hi Karen! Lubricating locks and hinges is a good seasonal item to add to the to do list. We’ve used the Lock Dry Lube on a handful of things this last week since I still had it out. It saved us some $$ already 🙂 Thanks so much for your visit!
Jeanie Emmert says
I never thought about maintaining my locks – good idea! Thanks for sharing!
Wendi says
Hi Jeannie, I didn’t either until I tried this. Now It’s in my seasonal bin. Thanks so much for your visit!
Serena @ Thrift Diving says
Oiling my hinges and locks isn’t something I ever think about….UNTIL they squeak! LOL. I like the idea of adding this into the mix of other seasonal things you do. I was just thinking about this the other day when my garage screen door was squeaking. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder!
Wendi says
Hi Serena… Squeaky garage doors are really loud! 3-IN-One also makes a garage door hinge lube, it’s in a can and really easy to use. This is a quick fix when it’s added to seasonal maintenance:) Thanks so much for your visit!
Kim Six says
This is great advice. My kids always have trouble getting the door locks open, and this will help. Locks that are difficult are a real fire hazard! Thanks for the tutorial!
Wendi says
Wow Kim, I didn’t think about that part. That is a huge potential hazard! Especially with little kids or elderly people who may have trouble opening locks. Smart point…as always! Thanks so much for your visit:)
Debbie says
Great tips Wendi! Love the video!
Wendi says
Hi Debbie 🙂 Thanks! I think most of us shy away from the “seasonal list of maintenance” work because it feels like it will be a big task. Heck, this is so fast & easy anyone can do it:) Thanks so much for your visit!