# Any way to "un-oil" a hinge? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875 "2010-04-12T19:36:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/21 "2010-04-13T12:43:56Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > If the problem is access to the basement for the cats, why not put a cat-flap in the door? I like the way you think. Though, we don’t plan to be in this house for more than another year or two, and I don’t think I want to go cutting holes in stuff at this point. > [@Dynamo](#): > > He could also just replace them all together. Schlage sells a nice set of hinges (3.5" to 4" sizes - you more than likely have one or the other) for just under $9. There’s a chance the screw holes won’t line up and you may need to use a drill to drive them in there (with an appropriate chuck setting) but other than that it’s relatively straight forward. Now that I’ve thought about it, I think this is what I will do. I’ll take a rubbing of the hinge in the hope of finding a set with matching screw holes. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/22 "2010-04-13T13:07:13Z")
[twin draft door guard.](http://www.asseenontvguys.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=349) ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/23 "2010-04-13T13:11:59Z")
Get a long hook and eye door latch. Like [this one.](http://dailyhomerenotips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/stanley-hook-eye-latch.jpg) Set it up so when latched it holds the door open a few inches for the cats. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/24 "2010-04-13T15:07:39Z")
So, no one’s going to suggest putting a little rubber doorstop under the door, preventing it from swinging open farther than you want, but where you can still easily reach around and grab it to open the door? They cost like 90 cents at Wal-Mart. Seems easier to me than bending hinge pins or buying degreasers. Edit: Aha, I overlooked **aceplace57** , the voice of reason. ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/25 "2010-04-13T15:20:43Z")
If you want to get fancy with your doorstops, you could get one of the door-mounted fold-down ones - I have one on my bedroom door (which is hideously off-level), and I can just kick it up or down, no bending over required. Somewhat more trouble than having the door just stay put, but easier than replacing the hinges. ---
**Author:** ![tallcoldone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@tallcoldone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tallcoldone)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/26 "2010-04-13T16:13:57Z")
My FIL “fixed” a bedroom door that would always swing shut by pulling the hinge pin and putting a small wad of tissue into the hinge, then replacing the pin. Created just enough resistance that the door would swing freely with no squeak, but would also stay put if you wanted it partially or fully open. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/27 "2010-04-13T16:19:48Z")
Spray it with WD-40(_i_) ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875/28 "2010-04-13T18:11:42Z")
> [@runcible\_spoon](#): > > If you want to get fancy with your doorstops, you could get one of the door-mounted fold-down ones - I have one on my bedroom door (which is hideously off-level), and I can just kick it up or down, no bending over required. Somewhat more trouble than having the door just stay put, but easier than replacing the hinges. Oooh, I think I like this. I’m not going to have a rubber wedge lying around my kitchen, but this idea seems less obtrusive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-un-oil-a-hinge/535875.md?page=1)