How to clean a rusty lock that keeps jamming. Detailed instructions for cleaning rusty or dirty locks. How to unlock a lock or clean an old lock.
Contents hide
1 How to Clean a Lock That’s Stuck
2 Lubricant to clean and unlock the lock
3 How to Clean an Antique Lock
4 How to clean an old lock
5 How to Clean a Lock with Natural Products
How to Clean a Lock That’s Stuck
If you are dealing with a modern lock that, due to oxidation or dirt, does not allow you to turn the key easily, in addition to a cleaning job you will need to do a lubrication job. How? Using a dry cleaning lubricant!
If you already have an oily lubricant at home such as Svitol (Arexons), WD-40 , Ambrosol…. check the composition. The classic ones you find on the market are generally oily, so if your lock is dirty they would make the situation worse. How? These lubricants, even if they have an apparently positive effect (in fact after use it becomes easier to open and close the door), by greasing and wetting the lock mechanism, they end up incorporating dust particles and flaking rust on the mechanism itself. As long as the lubricant remains wet, the lock works… but when it dries, not only does the problem recur but the blocked lock will be more difficult to fix.
Dry lubricants, on the other hand, are PTFE- based , so to speak… if there are any women reading this, it is Teflon, the same substance that until recently was used to make the non-stick coating on pans! This material does not grease or “mess up” the lock mechanism but will create a protective coating that is not accustomed to friction (therefore indirectly lubricated!). By reducing the friction between the lock components, it will be easily unlocked. So, if you are wondering how to unlock a lock blocked by dirt and rust, you just need to use the right Teflon-based product.
Lubricant for cleaning and unlocking the lock
If you go to a trusted hardware store, make sure they are giving you a PTFE-based lubricant. It usually says so on the packaging, but brands like Svitol don’t specify.
For example, in addition to the classic Svitol, at the hardware store you can find “dry Svitol” with the wording “Dry”. While if the hardware store offers you the WD-40 lubricant, make sure it says “PTFE Lubricated”, while many other manufacturers simply add the wording “ dry lubricant ”.
In addition to the hardware store, you can also find specific lubricants on Amazon to clean, protect and above all unlock a dirty lock. All the brands mentioned so far are there. I would like to point out that IdeeGreen.it has no connection with the manufacturers mentioned in this article, so feel free to choose the dry lubricant you prefer (or maybe simply the cheapest one!).
On this Amazon page you can, for example, find the Svitol multifunctional lubricant in various formats.
Below is a picture of the product.
How to clean an antique lock
If you intend to clean an old lock and perhaps it is an antique, it is better if you step aside and contact a restorer expert in metals. The old lock , if rusty, should be dismantled and appropriately treated. How? It depends on the state of conservation.
If it is simply rusty, some recommend letting it “rest” in water for 72 hours so that the excess iron oxide can come off naturally, without filing. Yes, sandpaper is banned in the restoration and recovery of antique locks ! After 72 hours, the lock should be cleaned inside with a specific product and outside with a protective wax.
If the old lock is very rusty even inside the hole, experts in the field use oxalic acid or electrolysis processes to facilitate the detachment of rust and accumulated dirt.
How to clean an old lock
If the lock is simply old and your goal is simply to make it work (so that it can allow you to use the key effectively), you can use a can of compressed air (you can find it on Amazon or at the hardware store) and clean the gap that allows access to the key. Once this is done, you can pass some dry lubricant over it as I will explain for cleaning the classic blocked lock .
How to clean a lock with natural products
There are several ways to clean a lock using natural products. Here are some suggestions:
Citric Acid : Take some citric acid powder and dissolve it in warm water. Dip an old toothbrush into the solution and clean the lock. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
Baking Soda : Mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Spread the paste on the lock and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then, wipe the lock with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
White Vinegar : Dampen a cloth with white vinegar and gently wipe the lock. Be sure to rinse well with clean water and dry completely.
Coconut Oil : Apply a little coconut oil to the lock and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, using a dry cloth, wipe off the excess oil and wipe the lock clean.
It is important to use these products without using abrasive brushes or toothbrushes because otherwise you could scratch the lock beyond repair, especially if it is a chrome lock.
