How to Keep Locks Clean

Door locks must be clean and functional. In a different case, they will betray you one day and you'd better wish it would be in the form of a house lockout and not a break-in. In other words, locks of all types require some kind of routine maintenance. Don't wait for problems to surprise you before considering what to do. Lock problems do not come empty handed. They have repercussions and are all related to security issues. Why should you go through trouble, nightmares, and anxiety? You can't imagine what some good cleaning can do to your door lockset!

Problems are solved with lock repair, but what's really the point? Do you want to deal with problems or take action to prevent them? Although it is hard to prevent all issues with either keys or locks, one can still avoid some trouble which is truly unavoidable over the years with proper care. Why do you think so many people are locked out so often? Apart from forgetting or losing their keys, they additionally suffer through an apartment lockout due to broken keys and damaged locks. Taking care of them both is essential!

The right way to clean locks

It might sound funny to say that you are going to clean your locks but it's truly very important. Actually, it's not a very easy task since it involves removing the bolt from the door in order to remove the dust. If you have a simple lock, remove the screws on the doorknob, pull the cylinder, and clean it. If you have a deadbolt, you must remove the outside and inside cylinders until the deadbolt assembly is exposed. Then remove it and the bolt, too.

Customers need to clean the bolt system with canned air. It's the most effective way but if you don't have one use a hairdryer. The basic idea is to blow off the bolt dust and debris. Focus on the cylinder and the pin holes and don't blow too close or there is a chance that moisture will grow on the bolt. That's the last thing you need since moisture enhances the possibility of mold build up (and that will simply mean lock change).

Once dust is gone, take care of grime with an old toothbrush. Make sure it is not wet so you won't have mildew issues in the future. Then blow canned air again and lubricate the mechanism before putting every part back in place.