Fix Loose and Squeaky Bathroom Cabinet Hinges

Loose cabinet doors don't just annoy you—they wear out faster and can damage the hinges beyond repair. A squeaky hinge is usually telling you one of two things: the screws have backed out, or the hinge needs lubrication. The good news is that neither problem requires replacement. A few minutes with a screwdriver and a can of lubricant will restore your cabinet to working order. Done well, your doors swing smooth and silent, and stay where you close them.

1. Inspect the hinge and tighten visible screws. Open the cabinet door fully and look at the hinge barrel. Using a screwdriver that fits the screw head snugly (don't force an undersized driver), turn each screw on the hinge a quarter turn clockwise. Check the two screws that hold the hinge plate to the door, and the two that anchor it to the cabinet frame. Tighten each one until snug—not cranked down hard, just until resistance meets your driver.
2. Test the door and identify the noise source. Close and open the door several times slowly. Listen for where the squeak originates. If the door is now quiet and doesn't sag, you're done. If it still squeaks, the noise usually comes from the hinge barrel where the pin pivots. If the door still sags or moves, one or more screws need more tightening.
3. Clean out debris from the hinge barrel. Look closely at the hinge barrel—the cylindrical part where the door pin sits. You'll often see dust, toothpaste residue, or soap scum packed into it. Use a small stiff brush, an old toothbrush, or even a dry cloth to brush and wipe away buildup. Work from the top of the hinge down. If the barrel is very dirty, dampen your brush slightly with water and scrub gently, then dry it completely with a cloth.
4. Apply lubricant to the hinge barrel. Spray a light coating of silicone-based lubricant directly into the hinge barrel, or apply a drop of lightweight machine oil. A 3-in-1 oil works well; avoid heavy greases. You only need a small amount—a thin film is enough. Wipe away any excess with a cloth to prevent it from dripping onto your countertop or cabinet interior.
5. Work the hinge by opening and closing the door. Open and close the door smoothly and slowly several times. This distributes the lubricant through the hinge barrel. Listen as you work it—the squeak should fade with each cycle. Keep going until the motion is silent. If a squeak lingers, apply one more light spray of lubricant and repeat.
6. Check door alignment and make final adjustments. Once the hinge is quiet, stand back and observe how the door sits in the frame. It should hang straight and close flush against the frame without rubbing. If the door still sags noticeably at the bottom, one or more screws may need tightening again. Tighten the upper hinge screws first, then the lower ones if needed. Small adjustments go a long way.
7. Repeat for all cabinet doors. Work through each bathroom cabinet door the same way—tighten, clean, lubricate, and test. Bathrooms often have multiple cabinets, and doing them all at once means you won't need to hunt for your tools again next month.