ᐅ What can help if the doors of Billy bookcases squeak when opened?

Hello everyone, I have a problem that many might be familiar with: the doors of my Billy shelves squeak when opening and closing. The noise is quite unpleasant and sounds like wood rubbing against wood or the fittings not working properly. I have been wondering whether the hinges need to be lubricated or if it might be due to the positioning of the doors. Are there any proven methods or home remedies to reliably eliminate this annoying squeaking? I would appreciate any tips on how to get the Billy doors silent again without having to carry out major repairs.

Hey, I know that feeling all too well! :-) With my Billy shelves, it helped to carefully spray a small amount of high-grade silicone spray onto the hinges first. Not too much, or it will run everywhere. This reduces the friction between the metal parts and the wood, and the creaking usually stops immediately. It’s important to open and close the shelf a few times afterward so the lubricant spreads well. If you don’t have silicone spray, graphite powder works pretty well too. Good luck!

That's brilliant! 🙂 I had the same problem, and a combination of lubricant oil for the hinges plus a bit of wax on the contact points completely eliminated the squeaking! You just shouldn't be too sparing, then it works really well. But be careful: Do not use heavy engine oil or WD-40, as they can become sticky and actually cause more noise. It’s great when it’s as quiet as on the first day again!

reoWilhelm schrieb:
With my Billy shelves, it helped to first carefully spray a bit of high-strength silicone spray onto the hinges.

This is indeed the best approach. It is important to thoroughly clean the hinges beforehand, as dirt and dust often cause the creaking. A dry cloth or a brush can help remove residues from the hinges before applying the lubricant. It is also worthwhile to check the screws to ensure they are tight, as loose hinges can also cause creaking noises.

Spray the hinges with silicone spray after cleaning them. Tighten the screws. Done.

Duna63 schrieb:
Are there any proven methods or home remedies that reliably eliminate that annoying squeaking?

Home remedies? Sure, but honestly: it seems Billy focused more on quantity than on the quality of the hinges. If you want long-lasting silence, replace the hinges with branded ones and that’s that. Everything else is just a temporary fix with a scent. But hey, if you like that, enjoy spraying and hoping 😉