30 Amazing Things WD-40 Can Do For You
If you use the WD-40 as a dissolver for fixing squeaky doors and loosening rusted screws, you should know that it can do more than just that. The lubricant can actually help you in more ways than you could have ever imagined. Did you get bubblegum on your hair? Are you annoyed by squirrels helping themselves to your bird feeder? Look no further for a solution. The WD-40 is very versatile and it can help you get out of a rut. It’s similar to duct tape in the way that the creators did not know the potential of their invention.
You might be wondering where the name came from. Well, the “WD” in the name actually means “water displacement”. The product was created in 1953 by Norm Larsen for this very reason! The digits, however, means that it is the 40th formula for the product. Now that we have that out of the way, you should know that the company was founded and continues to operate in San Diego, California.
It is true that almost none of us knows exactly what goes into this miracle product. We doubt it will honestly change things if we knew. The only thing important to know is that we know it works. Don’t go thinking that this is only useful for carpenters and handymen! In reality, you will find it helpful no matter what career you have. Are you a teacher, a motorcycle enthusiast, or a salesman? Read on to see why you should keep one on-hand at all times.
WD-40 For Shining Your Silver
If you are going to use your silver, you should take the extra effort necessary to make it shine bright like a diamond. Honestly, you can impress your guests with a little elbow grease. This is where the WD-40 comes in. Use one spray, wipe it using circular motions, and enjoy your shiny silver.
Shining Your Silver
Separating Stuck Glasses
What better way to celebrate a momentous life occasion than drinking a round of shots with your friends? Unfortunately, you will have a hard time doing this if your shot glasses won’t come apart. When this happens, spritz on some WD-40 and watch them come apart.
Separating Stuck Glasses
Loosening Zippers
Zippers might be one of the most amazing inventions in history! However, they are prone to getting stuck. This can be a huge deal – after all, none of us wants to be the person with their fly open. Spray on a little WD-40 to fix it!
Loosening Zippers
Shining Shoes
We all adore our precious white sneakers! Unfortunately, they are prone to dirt and this makes them a little hard to maintain. What do you do when it does not get clean enough with the use of hot water and soap? Just spritz on WD-40 and gently rub at the dirt!
Shining Shoes
Cleaning Tar Stains
Dirt and stains are easy enough to remove, but what about tar? They can be terrible eyesores when they get on your car, but you can do something about it using WD-40.
Cleaning Tar Stains
Defrosting Ice
Nobody likes frosty and icy windows, right? They can be a hassle to clean before you go to work. Fortunately, things do not have to be so hard. A little spray of WD-40 and you can wipe it off easily.
Defrosting Ice
Oiling Scissors
Scissors have been created as a tool to cut through all sorts of material. However, a stiff pair is basically useless unless you do something. Spray some WD-40 and you should be good to go.
Oiling Scissors
Guarding Bird Feeders
A birdfeeder got its name because you use it to, well, feed the birds. However, this can be hard to do if a certain marsupial keeps emptying it. They will have a hard time doing so on a slippery surface. You know what to do!
Guarding Bird Feeders
Removing Rings
Even though rings normally symbolize a permanent development in your life, wearing it should not be permanent. Are you having a hard time sliding it on and off? A little dose of WD-40 will definitely make your life easier.
Removing Rings
Removing Gum
Ugh, chewing gum on the sole of your shoes is yet another pet peeve of ours. WD-40 has made it much easier to get it out, however. Nonetheless, make sure you dispose of your chewing gum properly!
Removing Gum
Taking Out Lipstick Stains
Lipstick stains can be troublesome if you need to hide your indiscretions. If you get some on your clothes, you should spray WD-40. Just watch your application – a little can go a long way!
Taking Out Lipstick Stains
Cleaning Crayon Stains
Creativity in children is adorable, but not if they have started drawing on the walls! If you found crayon stains on the wall, what are you going to do? Well, get a can of WD-40 and spray! It will be much easier to get rid of it now.
Cleaning Crayon Stains
Clearing Stains From Wood
Coffee tables received their name for a very good reason. However, the presence of glass stains can be highly distracting. Spray some WD-40 on it to bid them adieu!
Clearing Stains From Wood
Opening Rusty Locks
Even though we appreciate a lock that intruders will have a hard time opening, it should not keep us out when we have the proper key! Try using a little WD-40 before you dial the number of the local locksmith.
Opening Rusty Locks
Removing Stickers
Stickers are simply timeless, though there comes a time when you need to peel them off. If you slapped on some “Save The Paperclip” or “Green Peace” sticker, take it off using WD-40 before you sell your car!
Removing Stickers
Protecting Shower Heads
Do you ever get so bored inside the shower that you begin counting the pores on the head? Well, you will definitely notice that not all of them are letting water pass through. WD-40 will get rid of the clog as soon as possible!
Protecting Shower Heads
Keeping Your AC Clean
Our next tip only applies to people who are in the middle of getting an AC unit for the home. Before you install it, don’t forget the give the body a quick spritz of WD-40. This way, you can ensure that no dust will build up in there!
Keeping Your AC Clean
Cleaning Water Stains
Water stains can be annoying, especially the ones that just would not budge no matter how hard you scrub at them. Luckily, you can use something that will make it go away in record time. We bet you know what we’re thinking right now!
Cleaning Water Stains
Maintaining Fridge Gasket
If you don’t know what the gasket is, it is basically the rubber portion that separates the fridge frame and the fridge door. As you can imagine, some nasty stuff collects in there. When the time comes to clean it, do not forget to spray WD-40 and wipe it off.
Maintaining Fridge Gasket
Exterminating Bugs
Do you have a fear of cockroaches? If so, there is another use WD-40 offers that you will be able to appreciate. Let’s just hope the bugs in your household are ready for an unexpected enemy.
Exterminating Bugs
Getting Gum Out Of Hair
Our least favorite thing in the world is gum in our hair. Those are the moments when you want to ask a higher being why you need to suffer so much. However, WD-40 will help you out. Simply spray a little of it and pull it out.
Getting Gum Out Of Hair
Shining License Plates
We are not denying the fact that a dirty license plate does have its benefits. However, it is easy enough to clean it if you want to. All you need is a dry cloth and a little WD-40!
Shining License Plates
Removing Super Glue
Whoa, can you believe that the super glue has finally found its match in WD-40? Slather on a little WD-40 if you need to undo the adhesive.
Removing Super Glue
Protecting Guitar Strings
WD-40 is great for your guitar in more ways than one. First of all, you can use it to clean the strings. In addition, it will also protect them. Just spray it and use a cloth to slide it up and down the length of the strings.
Protecting Guitar Strings
Preventing Splinters
You can also use this miracle product in the same way you would use a varnish. If you think your mops, brooms, and similar household equipment need a boost, you can do wonders for them by applying some WD-40.
Preventing Splinters
Breaking In Baseball Gloves
Did you just get a new baseball glove as a present? That’s awesome, but you should not slip it on and play with it right away. You need to soften the hard leather first! You can use oils for this… Or you can simply use some WD-40!
Breaking In Baseball Glove
Preserving Leather Sofas
Well, WD-40 is really good for leather, apparently. All you have to do is spritz some on a cloth and use it to wipe down the leather sofa. This is a great way to keep it in tiptop shape. Make sure you do it in moderation, of course.
Preserving Leather Sofas
Attracting Fish
Uh-huh, we said ‘attracting fish’. Apparently, some fishermen claim that WD-40 is the key to a successful fishing expedition! They spray it on the lures before putting it in the water. Try it next time!
Attracting Fish
Cleaning Your Grill
We all know how annoying it can be to get rid of the gunk on the grill. When this happens, grab a can of WD-40. Spray your grill and then scrub all the grease away with the use of a wire brush!
Cleaning Your Grill
Separating Lego
LEGO was one of our favorite things about our childhood. We enjoyed making houses, vehicles, and the like. Unfortunately, they simply would not “lego” sometimes… WD-40 could have fixed the problem!
Separating Lego
Separating Flower Pots
The very same principle applies to flower pots, too. When they get stuck, you will have a hard time separating them. Not if you bring out WD-40! Apply it to the pots and peel them off with ease.
Separating Flower Pots
Digging Faster
Are you confused what this has to do with anything? If you want to dig smoothly, you simply need to spray your spade or shovel first!
Digging Faster
Removing Tea Stains
Did you know that it can also help get rid of those tea stains on the sink or counter? It’s true! Wow, is there anything WD-40 can’t do?
Removing Tea Stains
Shining Plants
It would be wrong to assume that plastic plants will look fresh forever. Dust and dirt accumulate so bring out WD-40 and freshen them up.
Shining Plants
Removing Ink Stains
Don’t you find it annoying when your ballpoint pen leaks? Not only did you lose a piece of writing equipment, but it has also stained your clothes as well! It’s time to bring out that can of WD-40.
Removing Ink Stains
Cleaning Dog Poop
Ugh, stepping on dog poop is yet another misfortune that can ruin your entire day. Well, maybe not if you have WD-40 with you.
Cleaning Dog Poop
Erasing Sticker Marks
Remember when CDs and DVDs were still the norm? Sometimes, they came with price tags and labels on the underside. Just spray and wipe!
Erasing Sticker Marks
Pulling Hairs Out
No, not from your scalp! We are talking about removing the strands of hair from your hairbrush! Spray some WD-40, soak the brush in water, and pull out the dead hairs.
Pulling Hairs Out
Waterproofing Your Shoes
Can you believe that WD-40 can waterproof your shoes? Just apply the spray and you’re ready to head out into the rain.
Waterproofing Your Shoes
Clearing Toothpaste Stains
Those toothpaste stains on the sink or counter can stay there forever unless you apply some WD-40 to the area!
Clearing Toothpaste Stains
Cleaning Bugs
If you own a car, you already know how annoying it is when a splatter of bugs has made its way to the front of your car. Get a cloth, spray a little WD-40, and start wiping!
Cleaning Bugs
Washing Bathroom Tiles
Another nasty area that is prone to nasty gunk? Your bathroom tiles. Don’t forget WD-40 when you clean them!
Washing Bathroom Tiles
Unsqueaking Squeaky Shoes
Squeaky shoes are the bane of our existence. For some reason, they make you look ridiculous. A tiny spritz of WD-40 should be all you need.
Unsqueaking Squeaky Shoes
Preventing Snow Buildup On Windows
One of the best things about the winter is the view outside your window. However, misted windows will only get in your way. Spray some WD-40 and then enjoy the view!
Preventing Snow Buildup On Windows
Repel Wasps
Once the weather begins to warm up towards the summer, wasps and bees start looking for the best place to set up their nests. This might be great for them, but for you a little less so if they decide to nest in your house or backyard. Seeing as wasps and bees aren’t fans of WD-40, you can spray areas in and around your house to keep them from nesting there.
Repel Wasps
Toning Down Floor Shine
There are times when you want to clean your floor and make it really shine. To do that you can use some varnish, but the floor might become a bit too shiny. If this is the case, spray some WD-40 on a cloth and then wipe down the floor to reduce the shine ever so slightly. Then you’ll be left with perfectly shined floors!
Toning Down Floor Shine
Removing Prosthesis
If you or someone you know has a prosthetic limb, then you must know how difficult it can get to remove it sometimes. If you have someone nearby to help you out then it can be fine, but if you need to do it alone, it can be a struggle. In this case, you can simply spray a little WD-40 on the area and see how easily the prosthetic comes off.
Removing Prosthesis
Clean Glue
It can be such a struggle to remove glue you spilled on a surface that should not come in contact with the glue. It’s even worse once it’s dried up. To save you that hassle, WD-40 can be used to help the situation. Just spray the area, wait a few minutes, and see how the glue will loosen up, allowing you to clean it without a hitch!
Clean Glue
Cleaning Grease Off Hands
If you work at a job that entails you to get your hands greasy like in a garage, then you must be familiar with how hard it is to clean up all the grease at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter how many times you wash your hands with soap, it doesn’t help much. We’re here to tell you not to give up – all you need is some WD-40. Spray a small amount and wipe your hands with a paper towel or cloth and then wash it all away with soap.
Cleaning Grease Off Hands
Carpet Stains
At times, you need to accept the fact that the stain on your carpet isn’t going anywhere. Well, that problem was over the moment you got a can of WD-40. Spray some WD-40 on the stain and wipe it away!
Carpet Stains
Tomato Stains
While tomatoes make a great addition to many dishes and sauces, they are not so great when they stain clothing or tablecloths. Especially white clothing or tablecloths. Avoiding the stains can be pretty impossible at times, but now you don’t need to worry too much since you can clean them! Use some WD-40 to wipe away the stains.
Tomato Stains
Clean The Fridge
Since the fridge tends to be in constant use, it doesn’t get cleaned as often as it really should. If you’re in the middle of moving or you simply have some free time to deep-clean your fridge, it can be a hard task. Grab a can of WD-40 to help make the job a bit easier. Spray a little on dirty areas and use a cloth or paper towel to wipe the grime away.
Clean The Fridge
Blood Stains On Clothes
While this might sound a bit odd, hear us out. The next time you or someone you know accidentally grazes or cuts themselves and has a blood stain on their clothes, spray a little WD-40 as a pre-treatment. This will make removing the stain much easier later.
Blood Stains On Clothes
Old Wax On Gear
One thing that can be problematic with skiers and snowboarders is cleaning the old wax that accumulates on the gear. If you have this problem, you can use some WD-40 to get the last bit of stubborn wax off.
Old Wax On Gear
Prevent Your Boat From Rusting
At this point, we’re almost sure there isn’t anything WD-40 can’t do. Another way to make the most of your can of WD-40 is to keep your vessel from corroding. All you need to do is spray the stern each time you use it.
Prevent Your Boat From Rusting
Barnacles On Boats
If you own a boat then you know the struggle of removing barnacles that are stuck to it. They can be one of the most stubborn things to get off a boat. All the same, we have some good news – WD-40 can help you with this problem. Spray the entire area, and if the barnacles are still stubborn, you might need to use a knife to scrape them off. If they still aren’t budging, spray them some more and then sand the area with sandpaper.
Barnacles On Boats
Keep Golf Clubs Rust-Free
Once you invest in a great set of golf clubs, we’re sure you want to keep them in tip-top shape and prevent them from rusting. One way to do that is to spray each club with WD-40 after each use. Make sure to wipe them down before storing them.
Keep Golf Clubs Rust-Free
Remove Spark Plugs
WD-40 is so popular, even NASCAR (National Association Stock Car Racing) uses it to help remove spark plugs! All you need to do to remove stuck spark plugs is spray a bit of WD-40. You’ll see how easily the plugs come apart.
Remove Spark Plugs
Saw
If you tend to work with a round saw, hand saw, or mechanical saw, then you know how dirty they can get in no time. WD-40 can help with this particular issue. Spray some on the saw as well as the blade and simply wipe the dust off. It can work for cleaning off tar as well.
Saw
Wicker Furniture
Relaxing in a wicker creaky wicker chair is pretty impossible. The sound can get irritating quickly. In order to solve this issue, you can spray some WD-40 on the areas that are squeaking. Now you can sit back and relax in the peace and quiet.
Wicker Furniture
Wheeled Toys
WD-40 can even help keep your kids occupied and busy for hours. How? Well, if they happen to have wheeled toys like cars that aren’t running as smoothly as they used to, you can spray a little WD-40 on the wheels. This will restore them and allow them to run smoothly again!
Wheeled Toys
Stuck Sliding Doors
If you’ve ever had to struggle opening a stuck sliding door, then you know how difficult and frustrating it can be. To keep you from working so hard and possibly breaking something, you can spray the bottom of the doors where the strip is. Wipe away the grime and dust or whatever was blocking the doors and you’ll be good to go!
Stuck Sliding Doors
Keeping Wind Chimes Rust-Free
When you buy them, wind chimes can look amazing. However, over time they can become rusty. At that point, they tend to look more like a Gothic piece of decor rather than what you wanted in the first place. To keep this from happening, just spray some WD-40 and wipe the grime off.
Keeping Wind Chimes Rust-Free
Plastic Shelves
While putting together a set of plastic shelves can be relatively simple. On the other hand, taking them apart can be a real struggle. They tend to get stuck together which makes it tough to pull the pieces apart. This is where WD-40 can help. Spray the areas you want to separate and see how much easier the task will be!
Plastic Shelves
Fiberglass Bathtubs
If you have a fiberglass tub, then you know how it can accumulate stains over the years. Those stains can be difficult to remove a lot of the time. To make the task easier, spray some WD-40 on the stained areas and wipe off the dirt.
Fiberglass Bathtubs
Wheelbarrows
Seeing as wheelbarrows are typically kept outside, they tend not to age too well. They become worn and rusted over time and look like they attacked by some kind of termite colony. To combat this bleak outcome, spray some WD-40 all over the wheelbarrow to keep it from rusting.
Wheelbarrows
Tape Marks
Moving into a new place is very exciting, you get to personalize it and decorate it however you want to. You can tape posters to the walls and do pretty much whatever you want with the space! The only problem is when you want to take down the posters or are moving. Tape typically leaves behind residue on the walls. To clean it up, spray some WD-40 and wipe the glue away with ease.
Tape Marks
Swings And Playground Equipment
If you find that whenever you take your kid to the park, the swings and see-saws seem to squeak and groan with every movement, then we can help. Bring along your WD-40 next time and spray the areas that squeak to fix the problem.
Swings And Playground Equipment
Ashtrays
If you or someone you know smokes, then you must know how dirty an ashtray can get. Since they can be hard to clean, the smell of ashed can linger for a while after the cigarette was put out. Now you won’t need to worry about that, just spray some WD-40 in the ashtray and wipe it down.
Ashtrays
Untangle Fishing Lines
If you have a tangled fishing line that you want to loosen, spray it with some WD-40. You can also use the spray to extend the life of curled – but not too old – fishing lines. Take out the first 10 to 20 feet of line and spray it with WD-40 the night before a trip.
Untangle Fishing Lines
Coat Truck Bed
Before installing the liner in a truck bed, make sure to spray it with WD-40. This will make it much easier to remove the liner. Once you want to remove it, it will slide out with no problem.
Coat Truck Bed
Clean Oil Stains
Having oil stains on the concrete driveway can be a real eyesore. To top it off, they can be difficult to remove the stains, leaving you with dark splotches all over the pavement. To get rid of these stains, spray them with a good amount of WD-40 and hose it down with water.
Clean Oil Stains
Keep Shovel Snow-Free
A simple way to ease the task of shoveling snow in the winter and make it less strenuous is to use some WD-40. Instead of having the snow stick to the shovel and weigh it down, spraying a thin layer of WD-40 on the blade will ensure the snow will slide right off. If you use a snow thrower, simply spray WD-40 inside the chute for the same effect.
Keep Shovel Snow-Free
Remove Cat’s Paw Marks
We know that your cat feels like a part of the family most of the time, but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t cause some messes you have to deal with. For instance, when you have to clean paw marks off patio furniture or the hood of your car, use some WD-40. Spray some on the marks and wipe them with a clean rag.
Remove Cat’s Paw Marks
Maintaining Lawnmower Blades
Here’s a fact that you should be aware of if you’ve ever bought yourself a lawnmower. The blades are not cheap at all. In fact, without the right kind of care, you can find yourself spending a fortune on them. When the lawnmower is turned off (yes, we need to tell you that) give the blades a little spray of WD-40 to make sure they last longer.
Maintaining Lawnmower Blades
Removing Chair Marks
Some chairs have the annoying habit of leaving marks on wooden or tiled floors. While this might make you feel like you’ll be with those nasty marks forever, we’re here to tell you that there’s hope. Spray the marks with WD-40 and wipe away the mess with a cloth.
Removing Chair Marks
Cleaning Luggage Handles
Nobody is arguing with the importance of having stickers on your luggage. We can’t think of anything worse than arriving at your vacation destination without your luggage. But when you’re trying to get those stickers off afterwards, it can be quite difficult. Try to spray the residue with WD-40 and then simply wipe away whatever remains.
Cleaning Luggage Handles
Removing Stickers From Plates
If we’re already talking about annoying stickers then why stop there? When we buy new plates or dishes, oftentimes we find that they have a label or sticker firmly attached to their bottoms. Apply the same spray and wipe rule as you learned when it comes to luggage stickers and you’re good to go.
Removing Stickers From Plates
Removing Dust From Mosquito Screens
Mosquito screens are an absolute must where I live. I can’t imagine going a summer without them! However, it is important to point out that these screens need a good cleaning every now and again. The best way to clean these mosquito screens is with a light spray of WD-40.
Removing Dust From Mosquito Screens
Polishing Gold And Brass Lamps
Have you ever wished that you could rub a lamp and have a genie shoot out and grant you three wishes? Well, we have good news and bad news. You can certainly rub your gold or brass lamps with WD-40 to make sure that they shine bright, but we can’t promise you anything about a genie and his wishes.
Polishing Gold And Brass Lamps
Lubricating Folding Chairs And Ironing Boards
Folding chairs, folding tables, ironing boards, and anything else that has metal “joints” will always need to be maintained to ensure that they don’t get rusty. Apart from the rust issue, these items also need to work well – there’s no point in having a folding table that doesn’t fold. WD-40 is the perfect answer for these things.
Lubricating Folding Chairs And Ironing Boards
Restoring Metal Figurines
Many people love to keep metal figurines. Some like them to be displayed indoors whereas others prefer to keep them outside. Regardless of where your choice location is for them, you most probably don’t want them crusting away with rust. This is why WD-40 is perfect for figurines because it cleans and maintains them long-term.
Restoring Metal Figurines
Enhancing TV Signal
For some, it might seem ridiculous to still be talking about TV antennae, but if you still have them then we have a great solution for you. For one, you should wipe them down with WD-40 so they don’t look like they’ve traveled from the 1950s. The best part of cleaning them is that you will actually get better TV signal!
Enhancing TV Signal
Cleaning Toilets
We don’t have to be the ones to tell you that toilets should always be spotlessly clean. One of the best ways to maintain a clean toilet bowl is by using WD-40 on all the gross parts. Use a brush to scrub away the muck and you’ll be a happy camper.
Cleaning Toilets
Fighting Off Animals
Before we say anything else, we don’t want you to spray WD-40 on any animals, please! We mean you can use it to keep little rascals out of your garbage bins. The same way squirrels won’t be able to climb up bird-feeders, other animals won’t be able to get into your trash.
Fighting Off Animals
Removing Stubborn Oils
Oil can stain so many different things, and I don’t just mean your clothing. Think about the marks they leave on paving from your car, for example. You can clean them up entirely with WD-40. Spray the affected area and let the WD-40 do the work. Next, simply wipe it up.
Removing Stubborn Oils
Clearing Drains
Clogged drains are on the highest rungs of the annoying things ladder. When you want your water to go down there should be no reason that it comes up. A great way to tackle this problem is to spray down the drain that keeps getting blocked. Wait a while and then open the tap to drain whatever else is still there.
Clearing Drains
Protecting Your Speakers
A good stereo system doesn’t come cheap at all, so here’s a fantastic way to keep it in great condition. Lightly spray a cloth with WD-40 and then wipe the rubber parts that are a part of your subwoofer. This will prevent it from cracking as time goes on.
Protecting Your Speakers
Protecting Your Car Doors
On our car doors, we have rubber lining that prevents water from seeping in when it rains or snows. Just like the way we described maintaining the rubber part of your subwoofer, you too can do this for the rubber on your car doors. You can keep your car doors waterproof for longer.
Protecting Your Car Doors
Removing Gum From Lint Screen
The lint screen in a washing machine has a very important role. But what are you supposed to do when the lint screen is violently attacked by a stray piece of gum? Well, we know what you should do. WD-40, spray, wipe, clean. Next issue, please…
Removing Gum From Lint Screen
Cleaning Cookie Tin Rust
Cookies in tins are as exciting as cookies not in tins. But rusted tins don’t exactly raise the level of appealingness. You can keep any kind of tins rust-free by giving them the well-known WD-40 treatment. You know it by now, that’s for sure.
Cleaning Cookie Tin Rust
Fighting Off Mildew
Wooden furniture certainly adds character to a living room or patio. The problem is that when you wash the floors, or when it rains onto the patio, wooden furniture doesn’t always stand up well against the elements. You can spray the furniture with WD-40 to keep its “immune system” stronger for longer.
Fighting Off Mildew
Getting Silly Putty Out Of Furniture
We have to give credit to children for being so adventurous. The problem is that their creativity and appetite for adventure sometimes results in less-than-pretty results – like when you find silly putty in your couch. Fear not, WD-40 can get rid of that too.
Getting Silly Putty Out Of Furniture
Cleaning Piano Keys
We must admit that there is something special about seeing a piano that looks like it has lived through the ages. But when it is dirty it might not carry that same character. Get out your WD-40 and spray the dirt right off. Then give it a wipe and you’ll be ready to play!
Cleaning Piano Keys