Replace a bathroom cabinet door hinge

Swap a worn or broken bathroom cabinet door hinge for a matching replacement, keeping the door supported throughout.

BC-01Check the hinge type and buy a matchOpen the cabinet and look at the existing hinge. Most bathroom cabinets use small concealed (cup) hinges or simple surface-mounted butt hinges screwed into the door and the carcass. Take the old hinge to a hardware shop or photograph it so you buy an exact match, including the same hand (left or right) if it's a concealed hinge.

1 each · Replacement cabinet hinge (concealed or butt, to match)

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BC-02Protect the area and remove cabinet contentsLay a towel in the sink or on the floor below the cabinet to catch dropped screws. Take everything out of the cabinet so it's light and nothing falls when the door comes loose. If the cabinet is over a basin, put the plug in.

1 each · Old towel or dust sheet

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BC-03Support the door and remove the faulty hingeHold the door steady with one hand, or get someone to hold it, before you undo any screws. Using a Pozidriv screwdriver, remove the screws holding the broken hinge to the door first, then the screws holding it to the cabinet frame. Keep all screws together in one place.

1 each · Pozidriv screwdriver, small

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BC-04Deal with stripped or enlarged screw holesIf the old screw holes are chewed out and the screws just spin, they won't grip a new hinge properly. Push a little wood glue into the hole, pack it with a broken matchstick or cocktail stick, snap it flush, and let it dry for 30 minutes before refitting. This gives the new screw something solid to bite into.

1 each · Wood glue (small bottle)

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4 each · Matchsticks or cocktail sticks

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BC-05Fit the new hinge to the doorPosition the new hinge in the same recess or location as the old one. Start the screws by hand so they don't skid off-centre, then tighten with the screwdriver until snug — don't overtighten, as this can crack thin MDF cabinet doors.

4 each · Hinge screws (usually supplied with hinge)

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BC-06Fit the hinge to the cabinet frame and rehang the doorWith the door supported, line up the hinge with its fixing points on the cabinet carcass and screw it in place. Check the door swings freely and closes flush with the cabinet edge before you let go.

BC-07Adjust the hinge and test the doorMany concealed cabinet hinges have small adjustment screws for depth, height and side-to-side alignment. Turn these gradually and test the door after each small adjustment until it sits level and closes without rubbing or gapping. Open and close it a dozen times to be sure it feels secure.

BC-08Tidy up and put contents backWipe down the cabinet and door with a damp cloth to remove any dust or wood shavings. Put the toiletries and contents back in the cabinet, and dispose of the old hinge and any leftover matchstick bits.

1 each · Cloth for cleaning

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