How to Fix a Squeaky Door: 6 Methods

Of all the common door problems that exist, a squeaky door might just be the most annoying. Not only is it grating to the ears, but it’s also a sign that your door might not be functioning properly. You do want to ensure its functioning safely, and perhaps, silently. If your door is starting to sound a bit mouse-like, read on to learn six ways to fix a squeaky door.

What Makes a Door Squeaky?

A door might be squeaky for a handful of reasons. The most common cause of a squeaky door are squeaky hinges. However, it could be that the wood of the door is rubbing against the wood of the door frame, the hinge pin or other parts of the door. A lack of lubrication in the hinge, or a build up of debris like dirt and dust can also make for a squeaky door.

How to Fix a Squeaky Door

The method you should use for fixing a squeaky door will depend on the reason why your door is squeaky. Here are some different methods for fixing a squeaky door suited to a variety of door issues.

1. Clean the Door Hinge Pin

Sometimes the culprit of a squeaky door is dirty hinges that have accumulated debris and dirt, and sometimes even rust. To clean a door hinge pin, make sure you know how to remove a door hinge pin so you can do so properly—this only takes about five minutes. 

Simply place an object–like a book–underneath the door to keep it in place, and then tap out the hinge using a hammer, chisel, or other similar tool. Once the hinge pin is removed, clean it by rubbing it with steel wool and a household cleaner, and then reinstall it.

2. Use Petroleum Jelly

Because it has oily properties, petroleum jelly can act as a lubricant to fix a squeaky door. Plus, it clings well to the hinge, limiting any residual mess.

All you need to do is rub the outside of the door hinge with the petroleum jelly. If a more thorough job needs to be done you can remove the hinge pin completely, put petroleum jelly directly on the hinge pin and re-attach the hinge.

3. Apply Olive Oil

This method for how to fix a squeaky door is great, since you probably already had it out to cook dinner. To keep the olive oil concretated to the hinges, use a pipette or similar device. If you have olive oil in a spray can, that’s even easier.

Simply apply a few drops of olive oil to the hinges, and you should lubricate the squeaks away.

4. Rub Bar Soap on the Hinges

Bar soap has a lot of fat and oil in them that make them a great lubricant for treating a squeaky door. All you need to do is rub the bar of soap all over the hinges until they’re fully lubricated. When you do so, open and close the door a few times to help fully work the soap in.

This is a great fix seeing as it's affordable, and you might already have it in your home. However, you do want to be sure to avoid bar soaps that contain glycerin, since these can attract moisture to the hinge, potentially causing rust.

5. Use a Spray-On Lubricant

If you’d rather not use your household items on your squeaky door, you can use a spray-on lubricant. Silicone sprays can be found in most hardware stores and can be used on your door hinges. Start by removing the hinge pin and then simply spray both the hinge and the hinge pin with the silicone spray and re-assemble.

6. Replace the Hinges

If the above methods don’t seem to work, you may need to replace your hinges. This doesn’t mean you’ll have to shell out for the full interior door installation cost, but rather just purchase new hinges to install yourself or hire a professional door repair service near you.

If you decide to DIY, you’ll need the following materials:

• Doorstops

• New hinges

• Tape measure

• Screwdriver/drill

It can be helpful, especially if you’re doing this as a one-person project, to use doorstops to keep the door steady as you replace your hinges. 

First, you’ll need to measure your current hinges to determine what size you’ll need. With one  hinge open, use your tape measure to measure from the top to the bottom of the hinge. You’ll also need to pick a finish, which is a personal preference. Popular finishes include bronze, nickel, and brass.

Using a screwdriver or drill, unscrew all the screws on one door hinge and screw in the new hinge. Repeat this process for each hinge, one at a time.

How to Prevent Squeaky Doors

• Lubricate door hinges routinely—approximately every six months—to limit the chance that they become squeaky.

• Clean door hinges and the space between the door and the door jamb to keep debris at bay.

• Install door hinges made of rust-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or brass, to avoid rust overgrowth that can lead to squeaking.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Squeaky Door? 

The cost to fix a door depends on the type of repair and your location, which impacts the labor costs. Minor repairs start at around $50 but can quickly go as high as $700 for significant alterations that affect the door frame. On average, homeowners can expect their costs to hover around $235 to ensure the squeaking is gone.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Fixing a squeaky door is a very doable DIY task. Most methods involve using items you likely already have in your home, or that you can easily pick up at a hardware store. On average it will cost up to $25 to fix a squeaky door yourself.

Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable completing this task or more significant work is required–such as replacing the hinges–you may want to hire a pro. In this case, you may have to pay the full door repair cost associated with the laborer of your choice depending on their fees.

Deirdre Sullivan contributed to this article.