No, you should not use Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to lubricate a door lock because it attracts dust and dirt, creating a gummy mess that clogs the lock mechanism and causes more problems long-term, making it worse than before. Instead, use a dry lubricant like graphite powder or a PTFE (Teflon) spray for best results, as these won't attract grime and will keep the lock working smoothly and reliably.
Door Locks
If you don't have a magnet handy, stock up on Vaseline, as this product can melt ice and prevent build-up. You can dip your key in it and insert the key into the lock for thorough coating. Done once a week, this trick will keep your locks in working condition all winter.
Dry Graphite Lubricant
Powdered dry graphite is a great option. Lubricate the deadbolt by placing your key in the graphite, then in and out of the lock; turn the key clockwise and counterclockwise to distribute the graphite evenly.
Teflon Dry Lubricant
Teflon-based dry lubricant is preferred by some locksmiths over other options. It's a great option because, as well as lubricating your lock, it repels water and dust. Meaning that once you fix a lock with this type of lubricant, you can expect the lock to be in good shape for a long time.
What's the best lubricant for your lock? When choosing the best product to lubricate locks, dry lubricants like graphite powder and PTFE lubricants are best. As mentioned above, oil-based products can attract dust and dirt which can damage the delicate internal mechanism of your lock.
Fortunately, this is often an easy fix. Simply grab a can of WD-40, silicon-based lubricant, graphite spray, or a dry lubricant and spray it into the keyway.
Don't use oil.
The oil will just combine with any grime already in the mechanism and compound the situation.
So, Can You Use WD40 For Door Locks? The short answer: no, you shouldn't use standard WD40 on locks. Many people try using WD40 on locks to loosen them when they get stuck, since it works as a lubricant for many things. But standard WD40 actually does the opposite.
Graphite lubricant or silicone spray: These lubricate the locks, helping to keep the internal component working smoothly. Avoid using oil-based products like WD-40, as they can attract more dirt.
Car hinges and door locks need lubrication to function without getting damaged. There are multiple types of lubricant: penetrating oil, silicone lubricant, white lithium grease, and graphite lubricant.
DO NOT USE SILICONE SPRAY ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, SWITCHES, RELAYS, ETC. There have been numerous reports that silicone spray can cause contact problems in switches, noted in multiple posts regarding automotive problems.
For the best door lock lubricant with excellent friction reduction and dirt resistance, choose Teflon-based (PTFE) lubricants. This will create a dry film atop the internal components of the door lock, leading to smooth operations. You can choose it for both outdoor and indoor locks.
If you don't have access to graphite powder, this might be the right time to have a pencil handy! You can fix a key that sticks in a door lock by rubbing the surface of the key with the pencil lead. This is because the lead in pencils is of course not lead but graphite, and the graphite should act as a lubricant.
You should not use WD-40 on things that require proper lubrication (like bike/drive chains, gears, locks), anything with rubber or plastic (it degrades them), electronics (attracts dust, damages components), car parts like O2 sensors or dashboards (causes damage/silica buildup), or anything food-contact related (not food safe). It's a water displacer and degreaser, not a long-term lubricant, and its petroleum base damages many materials.
Just gently squeeze a very small amount of graphite powder into the keyhole, and then use your key to slowly work the lubricant into the lock. Another way to do it is to coat your key with the graphite powder first, and then simply insert it into the lock.
Yes, you can use Vaseline instead of WD-40 if you need a quick substitute. However, keep in mind Vaseline may not work for all applications, including inside locks.
You can try lubricating the lock with graphite spray or silicone based lubricant as mentioned above. If this doesn't help it could be that there is a misalignment of the lock and door (similar to UPVC problem above) or there could be a problem with the lock cylinder.
This pantry staple is another lubricant alternative to WD-40 that can be easily applied without having to purchase another product. Mostly any cooking oil can be used, and vegetable oil has the added perk of being safe to use on most surfaces, including metal and plastic.
If your deadbolt or door lock jams, it can be due to dirt buildup or general dryness. Exterior doors get exposed to the elements, and tiny particles can get into the lock, making it hard to get the key in or turn it to unlock the door.
Lack of lubrication is a common reason keys get stuck in locks. Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate inside the lock, hindering smooth operation. Applying a lock lubricant into the keyhole may help.