Fix Squeaky Bathroom Cabinet Hinges

Squeaky cabinet hinges are one of those small annoyances that get worse the longer you ignore them. That creak every time you open the medicine cabinet under the sink becomes background noise, until one day you realize you're wincing at your own bathroom. The fix is straightforward. Most of the time, squeaks come from friction—hinges that are dry, slightly misaligned, or held loose by screws that have worked themselves free over months of opening and closing. Because bathroom cabinets get used constantly and humidity can work against metal fasteners, hinges wear faster here than anywhere else in the house. Fixing it properly means the hinge will operate silently for years, and you'll have eliminated one of those persistent little house sounds that chips away at how a space feels.

1. Spot the Source. Swing the door open as far as it will go. Look at the two hinges—one at the top and one at the bottom of the cabinet frame. Check for any visible gaps between the hinge barrel and the frame, or between the hinge leaf and the door. If the door sits slightly crooked or doesn't close flush against the frame, you've found the alignment problem. Take your time with this step because what you see now determines your fix.
2. Take Up the Slack. Using a Phillips or slot-head screwdriver (depending on your cabinet hinge style), tighten each screw on both hinges. Turn clockwise slowly—you're not muscling these down, just taking up the slack. Tighten the screws that connect the hinge to the frame first, then the screws on the door side. Do one screw on each hinge, then come back and do the second screw. This prevents the hinge from shifting sideways as you tighten.
3. Listen for the Squeak. Swing the cabinet door open and shut slowly three times. Listen for the squeak. If it's gone, you're done. If the squeak is still there, move to lubrication. A door that squeaks after tightening is dry, not loose.
4. Oil the Barrel. Open the cabinet door fully. Locate the barrel of the hinge—the cylindrical part where the pin sits. Apply a light spray of silicone-based lubricant or a few drops of household oil (3-in-1 oil works well) directly to the barrel. You only need a small amount. Let it sit for 30 seconds to work into the hinge mechanism.
5. Work It In. Open and close the cabinet door slowly, five or six times. The movement helps the oil penetrate the hinge pin and the barrel. Go slowly—don't snap the door shut. You'll feel the friction decrease as the lubricant spreads.
6. Keep It Clean. Use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe the exterior of the hinges and the cabinet frame around them. Excess oil on painted surfaces can attract dust and look grimy. A clean hinge looks intentional; a wet-looking one looks like you just poured oil everywhere.
7. Verify the Fix. Open and close the cabinet three more times, slowly. The squeak should be completely gone or reduced to a faint whisper. If there's still an audible creak, the hinge may have a bent pin or internal corrosion that lubrication can't fix.
8. Fix Stripped Holes. If one of the hinge screws spun freely without tightening (from step 2), remove it completely. Take a wooden toothpick or wooden golf tee, apply a thin line of wood glue to it, and tap it into the stripped hole. Let it dry for 10 minutes, then trim the excess flush with a utility knife. Reinstall the screw—it should now bite properly.
9. Smooth Operation Wins. Close the cabinet door slowly and listen for any rubbing or binding, not just squeaks. If the door binds partway through the swing, the hinge is bent or the frame is warped. A properly working hinge should feel smooth from fully open to fully closed.