How to Loosen a Sticky Door Lock

A quick tip on loosening that sticky lock.

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A stubborn or sticky lock can often be eased by rubbing the edges of its key with a soft-lead pencil, thus transferring graphite onto the key. Work the key gently into the lock, moving it in and out to loosen the graphite into the works.

Another way of doing this is to squeeze powdered graphite (available in a tube at hardware stores and home centers) into the keyhole. Do not use lubricating oil, which over time can make a dirty lock even dirtier and more difficult to operate.

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