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Frozen locks are an annoying fact of life during the winter. You definitely don’t want to be left out in the cold, so naturally you want to do anything you can to prevent your outdoor locks from freezing on you. Luckily, there are lots of ways to do this! Whether you’re trying to protect door locks, car locks, or padlocks, these tricks should prevent you from getting locked out this winter.

1

Spray the lock with WD-40.

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  1. If you’re expecting a cold snap or snowstorm, squirt some WD-40 into the lock. For cold winters, spray all locks 1-2 times per week to keep them in good, working order.[1]
    • This only works if you get the lubricant inside the lock. Get the nozzle right up to the lock opening and give it a good squirt.
    • You could also use this trick for combination locks. Spray any openings so the lubricant gets into the lock mechanism.
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3

Smear some petroleum jelly on the lock.

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  1. Smear some onto your key, then insert it into the lock and shake it around a bit to coat the inner lock mechanism. Repeat this a few times throughout the winter to keep the lock lubricated and moisture-free.
    • This trick is a good replacement if you don’t have WD-40 or a similar lubricant.
    • This trick won't work for combination locks, since you can't use a key to coat the interior.
    • Petroleum jelly could also loosen the lock if it does freeze. Coat the key in it and slide it into the lock to see if you can open it.
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5

Cover the lock opening with a magnet.

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  1. Get a strong magnet and stick it to the lock opening. Make sure it covers the entire opening so moisture can’t sneak in. When you’re ready to open the lock, just pop the magnet off and slide the key in normally.[4]
    • This is a good way to follow-up with a compressed air treatment, since it stops more moisture from getting in the lock.
    • It’s also a good trick for car locks. You can keep the magnet in your glove box and pop it onto your lock when you know it’ll be cold.
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6

Wrap padlocks in socks.

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  1. Slip it over the lock and twist it so it’s tight and snug. Then tie the sock into a knot so it doesn’t fall off.[5]
    • This works best along with another method, like lubrication. The sock alone might not be warm enough to stop water from freezing, especially in a cold area.
    • Make sure the sock is totally dry! If it gets wet, it could freeze around the lock and then you'll really be out of luck.
    • This trick won’t work for door or car locks. The sock has to wrap around the lock entirely to keep it warm enough.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What can I use to prevent my lock from freezing?
    Ryaan Tuttle
    Ryaan Tuttle
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.
    Ryaan Tuttle
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You can spray WD40 or lithium spray on your door lock. It will help to loosen the door lock and also prevent it from freezing.
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Tips

  • If you can, try to locate your locks in the sun. If your car lock freezes a lot, try to park in a sunny spot.
  • It helps to keep some de-icing spray around at all times during the winter, especially in your car. This will help you in a pinch if your lock does freeze.
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Warnings

  • Do not pour hot water on the lock to defrost it! You might melt the ice in the short term, but all that water you just poured into your lock will be frozen solid before too long.[8]
  • Don’t try to open a frozen lock by turning the key very hard. You could break the key off, and then you’ll have an even bigger problem on your hands.[9]
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About This Article

Ryaan Tuttle
Co-authored by:
Home Improvement Specialist
This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. This article has been viewed 64,396 times.
27 votes - 78%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: September 25, 2024
Views: 64,396
Categories: Home and Garden
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 64,396 times.

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