How to Unstick a Door Lock (And How to Keep It That Way for Good)

A stubborn, sticky door lock can definitely be a nuisance. It’s extremely aggravating to engage in a constant wrestling match with your door lock, not only are you stuck outside in the cold, but if you’re not careful, you could either break the key off inside the lock (which can make matters much worse) or damage the surrounding parts of the door, making the entire lockset loose and unsafe. Consider the following tips to help you unstick that aggravating door lock.

1. Steer clear of spray lubricants.

Spray lubricants are one of the most commonly recommended solutions for unsticking a stubborn lock, and while they may temporarily get the job done, many times they can do more harm than good.

They’re messy to work with and they can leave a greasy residue on door knobs, as well as trap dirt and dust inside the actual lock itself. This dirty, greasy conglomeration of gunk will eventually gum up your lock, producing the exact opposite effect of what you originally intended.

2. Try graphite powder instead.

Most hardware stores carry this very handy lubricant, which does a fantastic job of lubricating your lock without all the fuss of dealing with sprays or liquids. It typically comes in a squeeze bottle or tube with a needle-nosed applicator to provide ease of use. 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.

If there’s no graphite powder to be found at your local hardware store, even the old classic #2 pencil can do the trick; take a quick trip back to the standardized test days of your youth and generously color both sides of the key using your pencil. Then, put the key into the lock and slowly work it in and out until you hit smooth sailing.

3. Ditch both of the above tips altogether and get a keyless lock.

This is by far the best choice. If never having to worry about sticky locks again sounds appealing to you, it’s time to go keyless. The reliability and functional efficiency of keyless locks simply can’t be beat; all you have to do is type your personal access code into the keypad, and you’ll open the door without having to move heaven and earth to do it.

The Lockey M210 is a perfect example of a keyless lock that’s easy to use, works every time and never gets stuck. Not only is it the ideal “no-maintenance” lock (no wires, batteries or AC/DC needed), but it’s tough as nails as well, since it is equipped with pick-proof and bump-proof technology, as well as a hacksaw-proof hardened steel roller pin deadbolt. Simply put, any attempt to compare traditional locks to keyless locks such as the Lockey M210 is like comparing apples to oranges.

When it comes to choosing how to best secure your home or business, you have two options: You can either stick with a partially reliable, easily pickable, prone-to-get-stuck-all-the-time old-school lock, or you can make the switch to a keyless lock.

Lockey M210, M210-EZ Keyless Push Button Deadbolt Lock