Doors, locks & repairs

Lock care, sticky keys and frozen locks in a Jersey winter

A lock that is starting to stick is asking for a little attention. Give it the right kind and it will run for years. Give it the wrong kind and you will be calling us in January.

By Timmy Creighton, founder and licensed locksmith · Major Key Locksmith · October 2026

What to use

Use a lubricant made for locks: dry graphite powder or a dry PTFE lock spray. A small puff into the keyway, then work the key in and out and turn it a few times. Once or twice a year is plenty for most exterior locks.

What to avoid

Heavy household oils and general-purpose sprays leave a film that collects dust and grit. Over time it turns into a paste inside the cylinder, and the lock sticks worse than before. If something like that has already been sprayed in, a locksmith can clean the cylinder out.

The key might be the problem

Keys wear. A key that has been on your ring for fifteen years has rounded edges, and a copy made from it is a copy of the wear. If the lock works smoothly with one key and fights you with another, the stiff one is worn. New keys cut properly, rather than copied from a worn copy, often fix a “sticky lock” completely.

A frozen lock

• Warm the key in your hand or with a lighter for a few seconds, then insert it gently and wait before turning.
• Use a lock de-icer, the small cans sold for car locks, if you have one.
• Never pour hot water on it. It works for a minute, then the water inside refreezes harder than before.
• Do not force the key. A frozen lock plus force is how keys snap off inside the cylinder.

Once it is open, dry it out and use a dry lubricant so water has less to cling to next time.

When it is more than maintenance

If a lock is clicking, needs jiggling or only works at a certain angle, the mechanism is wearing out. That is the time to call, because a worn lock keeps working right up until it fails shut. Our lockout prevention guide explains why waiting costs more.

Questions people ask

Is it bad to use a general-purpose spray in a lock?

It is not ideal. It can free a stuck lock in the short term, but the residue attracts dirt. Use a dry graphite or PTFE lock lubricant instead.

How often should I lubricate my locks?

Exterior locks once or twice a year, and before winter is a good time. Interior locks rarely need it.

Should I lubricate a smart lock?

The key cylinder can be treated like any lock cylinder. Do not spray anything into the electronics or the motor housing.

Keep reading

Any price mentioned here is the one published on our pricing page as of October 2026. The final price is always confirmed with you before any work begins. More answers from the blog →