How to Open a Locked Bathroom Door

A locked bathroom door can wreak havoc on a family when a toilet becomes needed.

At sometime or another, your bathroom door may become locked by family members forgetting to unlock the door when exiting, or by children who accidentally lock themselves inside. When this situation occurs, knowing how to promptly unlock the door when the toilet is required could elevate you to VIP status. Because most bathroom door locks are designed for privacy, rather than security, they can be easily unlocked from the outside using common household objects such as a paper clip or credit card.

Instructions

1. Determine what type of lock is installed on your bathroom door. Some locks have a button that pushes in while others are locked by turning a button on the door knob.

2. Slide a thin, plastic card such as a credit card or drivers license between the door jamb and the doorknob, if your lock is the type that locks by turning a button. The card should be pushed into the area where the lock enters the crevice of the door jamb. As if you are swiping your card on a credit card terminal, push the card into the jamb and attempt to swipe it forcefully. It may take several tries, but the door should pop open.

3. Push a straightened paper clip end into the small hole of the doorknob, if your bathroom door lock is the type that locks by pushing in a button. Continue to push the paperclip in the hole until you hear the button dislodge and pop out on the other side of the door. Cocktail straws, wire coat hangers or similar objects can be used in this method.

References

• Cockeyed: Easy, Illustrated Instructions on How to Unlock the Bathroom Door
• All Experts: Locksmithing - Unlocking Our Bathroom Door