My 2001 white iBook hinge was getting sticky to the point I couldn't even open it fully. Evaluating my various lubricants, I selected silicone spray, "foodsafe" although it still contained petroleum distillates.
I want to report my hinge has gone from unable to open to opening better than it ever did and as well as newer iBooks, 2001 500mhz g3 iBook didn't have as good a hinge as later models.