The one-drop olive oil hinge fix

You will need

• Olive oil (or any cooking oil) · Already in your pantry — or $3 at Woolies
• Cotton tip or small paintbrush · $2–$3 at Woolies or any chemist
• Old rag or paper towel · From around the house

Step 1

Find the squeak

Open and close the door slowly while listening closely. Usually one hinge is the culprit — it'll sound louder and feel slightly stiff compared to the others. Mark it with a sticky note so you don't forget which one.

Step 2

Apply the oil

Dip a cotton tip or small paintbrush in olive oil and work it right into the gap between the hinge pin and the barrel — that's the cylindrical part where the two hinge leaves meet. You only need a tiny amount, like one or two drops. Open and close the door a few times to work the oil deep into the joint.

Step 3

Repeat up and down the pin

Run another oiled cotton tip along the full length of the hinge pin, top to bottom. The squeak usually comes from the pin rubbing the barrel, so coating the whole length gives you the best result.

Step 4

Wipe away the excess

Use a rag or paper towel to dab any drips off the hinge and the door frame. Excess oil can attract dust and look grimy over time, so a quick wipe keeps things tidy.

Step 5

Test and repeat if needed

Swing the door back and forth five or six times — most squeaks vanish immediately. If it's still a little noisy, apply one more drop and repeat. Olive oil works surprisingly well and won't damage your paintwork or timber.

The stop point

If the hinge is visibly bent, cracked, has loose screws that won't grip even with a longer screw inserted, or the door is sagging and dragging on the floor → stop, you need a carpenter or handyman.

If that is where you are, it is a job for a handyman pro. See handyman costs.

Mendy calls tradies for you. Your first booking is free, then $3.50 a booking.

Get quotes instead