How to De-Ice a Lock

You can defreeze frozen locks using heat and alcohol.

Liquid moisture develops from rain, sleet and snow and can enter your car or home locking systems, causing solid ice to freeze within the lock during cold temperatures and winter storms. Defrost your locks using household items such as hand sanitizer and a hair dryer. The alcohol content of hand sanitizer helps loosen frozen ice, and the application of heat from a hair dryer melts frozen precipitation so your key can enter the keyhole and open the de-iced lock.

Things You'll Need

• Hand sanitizer
• Cotton swab
• Hair dryer
• Extension cord
• Car keys

Instructions

1. Squirt one to two drops of hand sanitizer into the door lock. Use a cotton swab to direct the sanitizer into the lock. Apply hand sanitizer along both sides of the key that fits into the frozen lock.

2. Put the key in the lock. The alcohol content of the hand sanitizer should loosen or melt the ice that has built up inside the lock.

3. Plug your hair dryer into an extension cord so it can reach your car door or home door lock. Turn the hair dryer onto high and hot heat.

4. Point the heat from the hair dryer at the frozen lock for 3 to 4 minutes to melt the ice within the lock. Apply heat to the part of your key that slides into the key hole.

5. Insert your key to see if the lock is de-iced and working. Continue the process of heating the lock and checking it until it de-ices.

Tips & Warnings

• Check other car or house doors to find another way to access the space before trying to de-ice the lock. Door locks will de-ice after exposure to the heat of a car engine or home heating system.

• Do not use the blow dryer while standing in a puddle of water or wet area, as this can cause electrocution.

References

• Locksmith Staten Island: Un-freezing Your Car Door Lock
• Full Issue: How to Thaw Frozen Car Doors and Locks