How to clean keyholes clogged with 3-in-one oil?

Question

So I have a realy dumb sister who thought itd be a good idea to put 3-in-one oil in the keyholed cause her key wasnt working. Any normal person wouldve known the hole is fine and the key is the problem... not her. Anyway, now everyones keys dont work, and someone must always be home to open the door. This is very incovinient, and my hands are greasy and stained. It's been 2 days now, but I cant take it. I have no idea how to clean the keyhole, and I dont want to do anything that might mess it up even more.

Someone please help me.

Answer 1

I would flush the key hole out with vinegar, or some paint thinner to remove the oils. That should take care of it. Best of luck on your project!

Answer 2

Flush it out with a large amount of WD-40. The solvents in the WD-40 will thin the oil and wash it out of there. Don't be shy- use lots of it. You are going to have a mess, so try to catch as much of the gunk as you can with paper towels before it runs down the door.

Answer 3

WD40 ,then clean that out with lighter fluid. You can buy lock lubricant at the hardware store to put in after the lighter fluid evaporates..

Answer 4

First try twirling a wood tooth pick in the hole.Then dip the pick in a lighter fluid such as Zippo  (Ronsonal) fluid.  And if that doesn't work, try putting the lighter fluid on the key and insert it.  If that doesn't work, change the lock or call a locksmith.

Answer 5

I used WD-40 once to remove some sticky oil/tar gunk.  It worked pretty well as a solvent (and light lubricant).

Answer 6

WD-40 is not bad. Alcohol is a good solvent.

But just filling it with oil won't cause the other keys to not work.  It won't clog it up. It would take months if not a year or two for the oil to get old and gummy, collect dirt, and cause a problem.

I think you have a bad lock cylinder.