Household

Best Lubricant for Plumbing O-Rings & Valves

Looking for the right lubricant for your plumbing o-rings & valves? We compared 4 options for this use case — including common searches like faucet, valve stem, o-ring, pipe fitting, plumber. Here's what works and what to avoid.

Dow Corning Molykote 111

Grease Base: Silicone Viscosity: NLGI #2 Form: Squeeze Tube

NSF H1 food-grade silicone grease. Industry standard for O-ring and seal lubrication.

Best for O-rings, plumbing valves, dive equipment, pneumatic seals, food-processing gaskets
Avoid Not a motion lubricant for bearings; won't work for metal-on-metal under load
For this use NSF food-grade, ideal for faucet O-rings and valve stems
Amazon ↗
$$ USA Manufacturer ↗

Inox MX6 Food Grade Grease

Grease Base: Synthetic Viscosity: NLGI 2 Form: Tube

NSF H1-registered PAO synthetic grease with a bentone (organo-clay) thickener. Smooth light-tan EP grease with corrosion and oxidation inhibitors; -30°C to 250°C continuous (300°C peak), dropping point >300°C. Made in Australia by Inox Supreme Lubricants.

Best for Food-machinery bearings, chains, hinges, O-rings, and slides — anywhere incidental food contact is possible (mixers, conveyors, freezers, cold rooms)
Avoid Mixing with non-clay-thickened greases (incompatible thickener system); oven interiors and direct flame
For this use NSF H1 alternative for heavier-loaded valve stems and pump bearings; overkill for a basic faucet O-ring
Amazon ↗
$$$ Australia Manufacturer ↗

Permatex Dielectric Grease

Grease Base: Silicone Viscosity: NLGI #2 Form: Squeeze Tube

Protects electrical connections from moisture and corrosion. Essential for automotive work.

Best for Electrical connectors, battery terminals, spark plug boots, light bulb threads, O-rings
Avoid Metal bearings under load (insufficient film strength); surfaces to be painted
For this use Good for non-food plumbing seals
Amazon ↗
$ USA Manufacturer ↗

AGS SIL-Glyde Silicone Lubricant

Grease Base: Silicone Viscosity: NLGI #2 Form: Squeeze Tube

Silicone-based compound safe on all rubber and plastic. Popular in automotive and HVAC.

Best for Brake caliper pins, weatherstripping, rubber bushings, door seals, sunroof tracks
Avoid Not for high-load metal bearings
For this use Budget silicone option for general plumbing
Amazon ↗
$ USA Manufacturer ↗

Other Household Fixes

See the full lubricant guide →