30 Ways WD-40 Can Make Your Life A Lot Easier
There is more to WD-40 than you might think. This wonderful lubricant actually offers more uses than meets the eye! Aside from fixing rusty screws and squeaky doors, it can also help you get chewing gum out of your mane or keep your bird feeder safe from furry scavengers. It is incredibly versatile, and this list barely scratches the surface as more and more uses are discovered with each passing day. Like duct tape, the creators did not predict how much consumers would love the product.
A lot of people have no idea how the product received its name. The “WD” actually stands for “water displacement”. This was what Norm Larsen, the creator, had in mind when he invented it back in 1953. The 40, meanwhile, refers to the fact that it was the 40th formula. It was created in San Diego, California. Apparently, the employees do not tend to ‘stick around’ for a long period of time… Get it?
Even though we have no idea what it’s made of, we doubt it truly matters. We don’t think it will change anything when we learn the technical details. We just need to learn how it works effectively and that it is reliable. Now, it doesn’t matter what career you are in. Motorcycle enthusiasts, teachers, and world travelers alike will definitely find a use for this product. What are we waiting for? Let’s see what benefits are waiting for you!
WD-40 For Shining Your Silver
When you bring out the silver, don’t you want it to shine as brightly as possible? Finely polished silver will definitely leave a good impression on your guests, so you better get to work. WD-40 can help you with such an endeavor. Simply spritz it on, wipe in a circular motion, and see the difference for yourself.
Shining Your Silver
Separating Stuck Glasses
When we had some guests one time, someone thought of drinking a round of shots. After taking them out of the cupboard, we found that they were stuck together. One of our friends suggested giving it a spray of WD-40. What did you know? It worked!
Separating Stuck Glasses
Loosening Zippers
We all know how annoying it is when your zipper gets stuck. Luckily, it is not the end of the world. You can fix it right away if you have WD-40 with you. A tiny spritz will ensure that you can bring it up and down without a hitch.
Loosening Zippers
Shining Shoes
White sneakers have become popular recently, but they can be a pain to clean. It can only take a matter of seconds before they are covered in dirt! As you will find, water and soap might not be enough. Spray on some WD-40 and rub at it gently to make it all go away.
Shining Shoes
Cleaning Tar Stains
Ugh, tar is one of our biggest pet peeves. Don’t you hate seeing it on your car? Luckily, all you need is some WD-40 and your vehicle will soon be spotless.
Cleaning Tar Stains
Defrosting Ice
Winter can be terrible when you have icy windows. Honestly, who has the time to scrub the frost off first thing in the morning? Well, just spritz on a little WD-40 and your life will be a lot easier.
Defrosting Ice
Oiling Scissors
We all know that scissors are made for cutting, though sometimes a stiff pair can be useless. If this happens to you, simply spritz on a little WD-40 onto the center and you’ll be good to go!
Oiling Scissors
Guarding Bird Feeders
It isn’t called a birdfeeder for no reason! However, squirrels don’t seem to care for labels. If these furry animals won’t stay away, why not use WD-40 to slick things up a little?
Guarding Bird Feeders
Removing Rings
We all know that rings typically symbolize something permanent, though you should still be able to remove it whenever you want. If your ring gets stuck on your finger, spray some WD-40 and it should slip on and off easily.
Removing Rings
Removing Gum
We sure hope you aren’t one of those people who spit your chewing gum on the sidewalk! Perhaps you were the unlucky victim who unknowingly stepped on it. Don’t worry, WD-40 has your back.
Removing Gum
Taking Out Lipstick Stains
Lipstick stains often lead to revelations of love affairs. We don’t recommend you cheat on your partner, but in case you need to wipe off the evidence, lightly spray WD-40 and you will have an easier time getting rid of it.
Taking Out Lipstick Stains
Cleaning Crayon Stains
Even though you should encourage creativity in your child, there needs to be a limit. The wall is definitely a no-no! Unfortunately, some children like to draw on the walls and stain them. When this happens, this spray should fix things for you.
Cleaning Crayon Stains
Clearing Stains From Wood
Did your coffee table get some glass stains? It is not the end of the world. Can you guess what we recommend spraying on the stains to have it sparkling new again?
Clearing Stains From Wood
Opening Rusty Locks
A lock that remains locked when you have a key is not a good lock at all. However, there is one thing you should try before you get in touch with the locksmith. We’re thinking of WD-40, of course!
Opening Rusty Locks
Removing Stickers
You might think stickers are a great platform for showing off your advocacies. It’s all fun and games until the time you need to sell your car and they won’t come off. Spray on some WD-40 and watch its value rise.
Removing Stickers
Protecting Shower Heads
Any idea how many pores there are in your shower head? We have no clue. Anyway, it can be a pain when the pores get clogged up. WD-40 will prevent this from happening and extend its longevity.
Protecting Shower Heads
Keeping Your AC Clean
This only applies if your AC unit is still at the pre-installation stage. Don’t forget to lightly spray WD-40 onto the AC unit in order to prevent dust and particle build-up from forming in the vents.
Keeping Your AC Clean
Cleaning Water Stains
Don’t you hate finding water stains on the mirrors? What a pain! If you find that they remain there despite all your effort, don’t be discouraged. All you need is WD-40 and your problem will be fixed in no time.
Cleaning Water Stains
Maintaining Fridge Gasket
The gasket is the rubber piece you will find on the door of the fridge. It has been put in place to separate the door from the frame, so you are correct in thinking that it will not be a pretty sight. Get rid of the gunk by spraying some WD-40 and then wiping it away.
Maintaining Fridge Gasket
Exterminating Bugs
It seems like cockroaches will never go extinct. However, you can exterminate them one-by-one with the use of WD-40. We hope bugs are ready to take on their newest enemy.
Exterminating Bugs
Getting Gum Out Of Hair
The only thing worse than gum on your shoes is gum in your hair! If you were unlucky enough to experience this, get a can of WD-40! Spray it to the affected spot right away. Don’t forget to close your mouth and eyes while you are it.
Getting Gum Out Of Hair
Shining License Plates
Sure, you might benefit by keeping your license plate dirty, but it is simply not worth it. Grab a dry cloth and a can of WD-40 to have a license plate as good as the day you got it.
Shining License Plates
Removing Super Glue
Well, well, well. It seems like the super glue has finally met a new challenger for the throne. If you have to remove super glue, WD-40 is the way to go!
Removing Super Glue
Protecting Guitar Strings
WD-40 can help clean the strings of your guitar and keep it safe from damage. How? All you need to do is spray it onto a cloth, hold onto the strings, and then slide your fingers up and down.
Protecting Guitar Strings
Preventing Splinters
Not unlike a varnish, it can also keep your single-stick utensils strong and free from splinters. Whenever you notice your broom, mop, or rake looking worse for wear, you can extend their lives with the use of WD-40.
Preventing Splinters
Breaking In Baseball Gloves
A baseball glove can make for a nice gift, but it can be troublesome to break it in. Some turn to different oils to help soften it up. However, WD-40 can help make the sturdy leather suitable for even the most delicate hands.
Breaking In Baseball Glove
Preserving Leather Sofas
It seems like WD-40 is good for all kinds of leather! Just keep in mind to use it in moderation. Lightly spray some on a cloth and then wipe down the leather piece of furniture to ensure that it is healthy, shiny, and clean.
Preserving Leather Sofas
Attracting Fish
You read that right. There are fishermen who swear that their trips have gotten better when they sprayed WD-40 on the fishing lures. We don’t know how, but it’s worth checking this out!
Attracting Fish
Cleaning Your Grill
Isn’t it a pain to scrub off the gunk that has collected on the grill? WD-40 will be your best friend. Use it to spray the grill before you scrub the grease off with a wire brush!
Cleaning Your Grill
Separating Lego
Did you grow up with LEGO? If so, you must know how frustrating it is when LEGO pieces get stuck together. Sigh, don’t you wish you knew that WD-40 could fix all your problems back then?
Separating Lego
Separating Flower Pots
The same goes for flower pots. If ever you find them stuck together, it might be hard to pull them apart without breaking anything. Obviously, there is no better way than to do it than by using WD-40!
Separating Flower Pots
Digging Faster
We understand the confusion. Let us clarify. Spray the spade or shovel first before you begin digging a hole for whatever reason!
Digging Faster
Removing Tea Stains
What if we tell you WD-40 can remove those tea stains on the counter or sink with ease? Yup! It is as easy as spraying and then wiping.
Removing Tea Stains
Shining Plants
Even plastic plants need some TLC. How do you do this, you ask? With the use of WD-40, of course. Wipe down the leaves and it will look even better.
Shining Plants
Removing Ink Stains
Isn’t it annoying when your pen leaks? They can ruin bags and pockets in the most terrible way. Can you guess what will make them disappear?
Removing Ink Stains
Cleaning Dog Poop
Regardless of what you do, it can be a nightmare to get dog poop out from the bottom of your shoes. WD-40 is what you need for the task!
Cleaning Dog Poop
Erasing Sticker Marks
Do your CDs and DVDs still carry those price tags and labels? Squirt some WD-40, wipe, and voila! It’s gone.
Erasing Sticker Marks
Pulling Hairs Out
As a disclaimer, we want you to know that we are talking about pulling out the hair that got into your hairbrush! Spray the brush, soak it in water, and tug at the dead strands.
Pulling Hairs Out
Waterproofing Your Shoes
WD-40 can actually protect your shoes during the rainy season! Spray them and they’re good to go.
Waterproofing Your Shoes
Clearing Toothpaste Stains
The toothpaste stains present on the bathroom counter or sink will be around for a while if you don’t do something about it. Just give it the WD-40 treatment and go!
Clearing Toothpaste Stains
Cleaning Bugs
Ugh, the splatter of bugs on the front of the car can make it hard to drive properly. Moreover, it does not make for a good look! Take a rag and wipe it away!
Cleaning Bugs
Washing Bathroom Tiles
Bathroom tiles also tend to collect all kinds of gunk with the passage of time. The solution? Get a bottle of WD-40!
Washing Bathroom Tiles
Unsqueaking Squeaky Shoes
Squeaky shoes do not make for the most graceful entrance. Just spritz a tiny amount and you can walk around in peace.
Unsqueaking Squeaky Shoes
Preventing Snow Buildup On Windows
Misted up windows will obscure your view of the winter wonderland. Spray the windows and the snow should slide off!
Preventing Snow Buildup On Windows
Protecting Against Wasps
As spring turns to summer and the weather heats up, it’s also the season that wasps and bees start searching for the best location to set up their nests. This is great for them, unless they choose to nest in your home or under the rafters of your home. So, since bees and wasps aren’t the biggest fans of WD-40, it’s a good idea to start spraying areas of your house or around the house that you think might be a potential nest-trap.
Protecting Against Wasps
Toning Down Polyurethane Shine
If you want to make your floors sparkle, then varnishing them will give you a beautiful finish. However, it might be a little to shiny to handle. So if this is the case, then you can simply spray your magical formula onto a cloth and start wiping down the varnished floors with it. You’ll soon have the perfect shine in no time.
Toning Down Polyurethane Shine
Removing Stuck Prostheses
If you or someone you know has a prosthetic leg or limb, then you might know by now that it can be tricky to remove it. While it might be OK if there’s someone around to help, it might be hard to do it alone. So you might not realize it, but a little spray of WD-40 can actually ease the process and help you take it off more quickly.
Removing Stuck Prostheses
Cleaning Dried Glue
If you’ve ever sprayed glue onto a surface or accidentally sprayed it on something you shouldn’t have, then you’ll know the struggle is real trying to un-glue it. So this is where WD-40 can save the day, once again. Whether it’s wet, dry or just plain stubborn glue, then you can just simply spray it on the area and sit back and wait for the glue to loosen itself.
Cleaning Dried Glue
Degreasing Your hands
If you work as a mechanic, in a bike job or just had to change your own tyre, then you’ll probably have to deal with another greasy problem at the end of the day, greasy hands. And no matter how many times you clean them with soap, they just don’t get clean. Alas don’t give up just yet. You just need another dose of of that magic spray. Then simply wipe your hands with a paper towel or cloth and try to wash them with soap again. It’s really that easy!
Degreasing Your Hands
Removing Carpet Stains
Sometimes you just have to accept defeat with carpet stains, and just accept the fact that they are a feature in living room and a part of your family forever. But that’s before you discovered WD-40. Really, we didn’t realize this miracle spray also works wonders on carpet stains. All you have to do is spray it on the area and wipe away the evidence in no time.
Removing Carpet Stains
Getting Rid Of Tomato Stains
Whilst tomatoes and tomato-based sauces are always a welcome and delicious ingredient to any dish, there must be some kind of tomato conspiracy out there. How do they always, manage to work their way onto our favorite clothes, especially when they’re white? Well even though we can’t always stop them, we can find a solution for tomato stains. As you might have guessed by now, you can simply wipe down the stain with a spray of WD-40 and wait for it to work it’s magic.
Getting Rid Of Tomato Stains
Wiping Down Your Fridge
Since we always have to store food in our fridge, we usually need to always use it. So it’s pretty hard to find the time to clean it properly, unless we’re going away or moving. So when you do finally find the time to spring clean your fridge, it can be hard to clean. Especially when all the gunk growing in the hard to reach areas. But don’t fear, your trusty can of WD-40 can save the day again. Simply spray the formula and wipe the grease and grime away.
Wiping Down Your Fridge
Pre-treating Blood Stains
Though it might sound strange, here is another reason to arm yourself with WD-40 at all times. The next time you or a family member accidentally cuts, bruises or grazes themselves and has a blood stain on their clothing, you can simply spray the wonder can on the area as a pre-treatment. This way you can begin to treat the pre-stained area before it actually becomes a real stain.
Pretreating Blood Stains
Cleaning Off Old Wax
Totally unrelated, but we can’t think of cleaning wax off without associating it with the classic one-liner “wax on, wax off” from the Karate Kid movie. But anyway, if you ever need to clean off wax…maybe you found your skiing or snowboard gear from last year and there’s some stubborn leftover wax that’s really tough to take off. Well WD-40 can come to the rescue once again, and can provide a helping hand to ‘wax it off’.
Cleaning Off Old Wax
Protecting Your Boat From Corrosion
Seriously, is there any frontier WD-40 can’t conquer? You can even use it at sea to stop the vessels from corroding. It’s really that strong and protective! All you have to do is spray the stern each time you use it. And voila, you can help protect you boat from permanent corrosion.
Protecting Your Boat From Corrosion
Removing Barnacles From Boats
You may not be familiar with barnacles unless you’ve ever owned a boat, been at sea, or watched the adventures of Tin Tin – but they are one of the most stubborn things to ever stick to your boat. A handy trick to get rid of these is to generously spray the entire area with WD-40. The barnacles might still be a bit stubborn, so might have to scrape them off with a knife. If there are any that still won’t budge, then you can always spray some more WD-40 and sand the area with sand paper.
Removing Barnacles From Boats
Protecting Golf Clubs
If you’ve already invested in a top of the range golf set, then you’ll probably want to keep them looking fresh and clean, and protect them from rust, wear and tear. An easy way to ensure they stay in tip-top condition is to spray each golf club with WD-40 after every use. You just have to wipe them down and make sure they look glistening and shiny for the next time you play.
Protecting Golf Clubs
Removing Stuck Spark Plugs
Interestingly, the wonder spray is even used by NASCAR (National Association Stock Car Racing) mechanics to help remove spark plugs. You would think they would use a specialist spark plug spray? Well nope, a spray of WD-40 does the trick once again and can help them pull the sparks out at lightning speed!
Removing Stuck Spark Plugs
Renewing Saws
If you’ve ever worked with a hand saw, round saw or mechanical saw, you’ll soon find it can get dirty pretty quickly. Well another nifty use for WD-40 is that it can help keep your saws in tip top condition. Simply spray it on the saw and the blade and you can wipe the dust off. You can also use the spray to help wipe off any excess gunk or tar.
Renewing Saws
Making Wicker Quiet
How does WD-40 manage to provide a multipurpose hack for almost everything? Well, if you’ve ever tried to sit back and relax in a creaky wicker chair, you’ll know how un-relaxing and annoying it can be. But all your problems can be solved by spraying some WD-40 on those squeaky parts. Then you can happily kick-back, relax and finally enjoy some peace and quiet.
Making Wicker Quiet
Lubricating Toys With Wheels
The magical spray can even keep your kids happy for hours, like a babysitter in disguise. If your kids have any toys, rollers or cars with wheels that are feeling a little tired, then simply spray everything with wheels with WD-40. Then your kids can happily play around the house for hours, and you can have some well-deserved ‘me’ time.
Lubricating Toys With Wheels
Cleaning Sliding Doors Sliding Strip
If you’ve ever tried to elegantly drag a sliding door open, only to find out it’s stuck or jammed in some places, then you’ll know it’s not fun. It might lead to a balancing door act as you try to slowly jam the door open half-way and even slide through the crack. But you don’t have to give up, especially if it’s a sunny day outside. Simply spray it and wipe away any dust or mess that might be blocking the strip and voila, you can smoothly open your door like a doorman.
Cleaning Sliding Doors Sliding Strip
Preventing Wind Chimes Rust
Wind chimes can look beautiful and shiny when bought new. However, if you don’t take care of them, they can easily look like a rusty Gothic centerpiece straight out of a zombie movie. While it’s easy to be defeated and just accept your new rusty Gothic feature, there’s actually something you can do to prevent it getting so rusty. We know what your thinking. And you’re right – just a spray of WD-40 and you can wipe that grime away.
Preventing Wind Chimes Rust
Joining Plastic Shelves
While the process of joining plastic shelves together can be fairly simple to work out, breaking them down is a different story entirely. They actually stick together pretty well and it can be tough to pull each piece apart. That’s where your trusty formula can help. Simply spray it on the parts that need to go into the shelf sockets and you can glide them apart like a pro.
Joining Plastic Shelves
Whitening Fiberglass Bathtubs
Who would have thought that WD-40 can even provide a miracle cure for your bathtub? While your new fiberglass bathtub can look shiny and white when you first move in, over time there’s usually a few stubborn stains that appear out of no-where. And no matter how hard you scrub, they might seem impossible to remove. Well we don’t want you to spend all your spare time scrubbing, you can simply spray the miracle formula on the area and whiten the stain away.
Whitening Fiberglass Bathtubs
Protecting Wheelbarrows
Now we know wheelbarrows spend most of their lives outside, and don’t usually age so well – so they can normally look a bit under the weather and rusty with time. However they don’t always have to look like a termite colony attacked it. You can think of WD-40 as your wheel barrow sunscreen. Simply spray it all over the barrow to help protect it from rust and keep it as clean as you can.
Protecting Wheelbarrows
Removing Tape Marks
When you move into a new place, you’ll probably want to make it your own by sticking a poster with tape on your white wall. It can instantly add an impressive focal feature to your room and impress all your visitors. However when you want to change it or have to move houses, you’ll soon be left with a sticky residue all over your walls. But you can simply spray your trusty can of WD-40 and wipe away the evidence completely (before your landlord finds out).
Removing Tape Marks
Lubricating Swings And Other Playground Equipment
It might be usual to go to a public playground and push you child in a squeaky swing or watch them sit on a squeaky see-saw. However, if you’ve learned anything by now, you don’t have to just settle for squeaks and creaks. If you make sure you always arm yourself with your trusty WD-40 formula, then you can simply spray it on any squeaky areas. This way you and your family can always enjoy a smooth ride wherever you go.
Lubricating Swings And Other Playground Equipment
Cleaning Ashtrays
Whether you smoke, or have a partner than smokes, then the ashtray can easily become a pit of ashy evidence. Since ashtrays can be tricky to clean, the smell of ashes and butts can linger long after you’ve finished your cigarette. However that’s all no sweat if you have your trusty can of WD-40 by your side. Simply spray the ashtray before you smoke and wipe it down, and you can easily clean away any ashy trails.
Cleaning Ashtrays