How to Clean and Maintain your Locks and Hinges

When it comes to cleaning doors and windows, understandably, most people are more concerned with the bits you can actually see! However, it’s equally important to clean and maintain the locks and hinges of your doors and windows, to ensure they remain secure and in tip top condition. Plus, it doesn’t need to be difficult, as our tips below show!

Cleaning Your Locks

Locks can stick, rust, or become jarred over time. To avoid this, you can fill a bowl of hot soapy water to wipe off any stains, dirt or debris that can build up in your door locks. It’s important not to soak your cloth with the water, but rather use a damp cloth to clean the lock. This will avoid too much water from getting into the locking mechanism which could subsequently be hard to dry completely. After this, use a dry, soft cloth to remove excess water and put in your keys or turn the locks to see the difference!

If you do the above a couple of times a year, it will make a remarkable difference to the lifespan of your locks. It’s also important to note that you should avoid chemical-based cleaning solutions, as these can cause irreparable damage to the locks.

Consider a Lubricant

We recommend lubricating your locks to keep them working seamlessly at least once a year. You can spray lubricants such as WD40 or spread petroleum jelly into the lock then turn your key around inside it to remove any dirt or debris. Be sure to wipe off your key so you don’t redistribute any grime back into the locks. For latches and bolts, you can simply spray these and give it a wipe over with a cloth.

Ensure Your Locks And Hinges Are Still Attached Properly

If the above techniques don’t work, you might find that over time a lock or hinge has become knocked out of placement. If there are any screws holding this together, you may want to reposition your lock to where it was before and tighten this with a screwdriver. This process can sometimes take a bit of trial and error, so keep making small adjustments until you find the locking mechanism works like new again. If you have internal door locks that are not working correctly, check to see if your warranty still covers a callout. If not, we’d be more than happy to help if you live in our catchment area of Bingley and the surrounding areas.

Don’t Force the Locks

If you notice any issues with your locks, don’t use excessive force trying to open or lock up. Try out our top tips first or this may damage the locking mechanism, which can leave your home unsecure and end up costing more money to replace locks and call out charges etc.

Consider New Locks

If your locks really don’t make the cut anymore and you’re concerned about their security, it might be time to consider new lock installations. Whilst it’s true that cleaning and lubricating locks will prolong the lifespan of your doors and window mechanisms, sometimes, if there’s been a substantial amount of neglect of maintenance, it can be a better option to simply change the locks. Although this of course comes with more of a cost implication, it’s much easier than attempting to repair a damaged lock.

Call Us

If you’ve tried out these tips and are still experiencing issues, seek the help of a professional such as ourselves to make sure your home’s security is up to scratch. Feel free to contact us on 01535 958 183 or fill out our online enquiry form and we will do our best to answer any questions.

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