How to Pick a Lock With Household Items

Have you ever been caught in a tight situation? Do you constantly find yourself on the wrong side of doors? Be it a Sledge Deadbolt or a domestic brand of locking doorknobs, you can easily find ways around these pesky items.

Approach your lock and assess what tools you might need. Depending whether it is a deadbolt, padlock, (these locks' sole purpose is to keep the door closed and inaccessible, and removed when unneeded), turn-style knob lock, doorknob-style lock, (these locks' purpose is to keep the door closed, but to still allow easy opening when necessary because it is built into the door, instead of being removed like the previous locks, hence they are easier to pick) etc.

If it is one of the above, do the following:

• • If it is a simple doorknob-style lock with a push button, get a paper clip, hair pin or similar object. If you are using a paper clip, straighten it first. Then push your 'pick' into the hole. (Either on front or to side of knob) This should unlock the door.
  • If it is a turn-style knob lock, get a flat sided hair pin, insert it into the hole on the front of knob, and turn. This will unlock this type. If it doesn't open, use a dull knife to go between the door frame and the lock. This will push the little metal bar in, bypassing the lock, and you should be able to open the door.

Tips

• If all else fails, take off the hinges. This will ALWAYS work if you are on the right side of the door.
• It is not possible to try and fish the handle of a deadbolt with a thin string or fishing line. It does NOT work, no matter how desperate you are. It is better to learn to pick locks in the time you have wasted.
• If you have a small flat screw driver, push it in the lock then pull up and turn.
• Another way, without the damage is using a credit card, id card, library card,ect... and force between door and door frame at level with the handle, if done right, it will push the latch back, opening the door
• Hammering very hard at the doorknob makes the locking mechanism eject from the device and you can then enter the room.
• You can also get a small screwdriver and put it in the hole and turn and it should work.
• ONLY DO THIS IN YOUR OWN HOUSE...IT IS ILLEGAL TO DO IT ON SOMEONE ELSE"S PROPERTY WITHOUT HIS/HER PERMISSION!!!

Warnings

• Afterwards, pick the lock back. This can be done by resetting the hole to the position with the tumblers locked, and then you must pick the lock clock wise or just re-lock it from the inside(if possible).
• Do not attempt this if you are not the owner of the door or do not have the consent of the owner.
• Using these techniques and almost definitely any others always has the possibility of damaging the lock, or even rendering it unusable. Keep this in mind before attempting anything.
• It is still technically breaking and entering if you pick a lock. Breaking and entering is a crime and can be a fine or jail time.
• Although you may want to rise up to the challenge of picking a lock, if you look suspicious, someone may contact the authorities. It's very easy to look suspicious when picking a lock.

Things You'll Need

• A paper clip or similar object
• Or A flat sided hairpin