I found a squeaky door so I got the oil and fixed it… Then did every door I could before my wife caught me.
Am I alone here? It’s so satisfying to just glide open!
Edit: She followed up with: “you’re enjoying yourself too much”
Damn straight I am. It’s the little things you have to enjoy!
For the first step to get old, hardened grease and dirt out of whatever you’re lubricating, it’s a good thing, because old grease can soak in it for a bit and soften up. But then flush with something that evaporates completely like brake cleaner and then as a third step use something like I recommended above. I love Würth HHS, it won’t even fly off a motorbike chain, but other companies offer equivalent products by now.
But then I wouldn’t get to do it as often! As OP knows, it’s a very satisfying chore.
I’m only half joking, and good ol’ Water Displacement, 40th formula is marvellous jack-of-all-trades. I also have gaffer tape.