WD-40: Not Just for That Squeaky Door

It’s not often that one gets into a conversation about that can of WD-40 that you have sitting up on a shelf in your garage or kicking around in a junk drawer in your house. Because, really, what do you use it for? To fix that squeaky hinge or to help loosen that rusted over nut on that bolt you need to take out.

Then it goes back to the shelf or into the drawer to be forgotten about till you need it again. But hold on a second before you do that because that little can of lubricant can do much more than you think it can and this just so happens to be a list of many of those odd little uses you would have never thought to try. Though it should be kept in mind that these uses are outside the designs of the product and are used “At your own risk”. Now with that out of the way let’s take a look at what else WD-40 can do to make your life a bit easier.

Cleaning:

Believe it or not WD-40 is one versatile cleaning agent as part of its design is to get under dirt, grime, and grease.

1. It can easily remove crayon off of walls and other surfaces with an application to a sponge or flannel cloth.

2. Some WD-40 on a sponge will wipe away tea stains easily.

3. For those unlucky enough to have a pen explode in their pants pocket simply spray, wait a minute or two and then rinse.

4. Did you get your brand new shoes covered in mud? Spray them down and wait, then watch as you’re able to slide the mud right off.

5. Well you stepped on some chewing gum, but don’t worry some WD- 40 and the gum can be pulled right off.

6. Someone forgot to put the cap back on the toothpaste tube and now the sink is stained but thankfully WD-40 has that covered as well.

7. If candle wax or glue has fallen onto your carpet get a can of WD-40 out and spray it. Let it dry and then take a sponge to it for easy removal.

8. When driving around, you’re bound to hit some bugs with your windshield and some just don’t want to come off. By spraying WD-40 onto them it can help quickly remove them.

9. Bathroom floors can often be the dirtiest places in the home with dropped mascara, nail polish or paint from a renovation spotting the tiled floor. But those can be cleaned as well with the spray.

10. It can also get rid of the ugly oil stain in the middle of the driveway from a leaky car.

11. Glue, or perhaps a ring stuck to a finger will slide off with some WD-40 but be sure to wash your hands right after.

12. It helps remove sticker residue off car windows.

Outdoor Work:

While many mechanical jobs around the home take place under the clear blue sky this section talks about those around the home jobs where one might not consider using WD-40 to aid them.

1. A bit of WD-40 to your shovel helps it slide easier into the dirt.

2. An interesting use, if you have this kind of problem, is you can use WD-40 to repel beavers from chewing on your trees. Though perhaps a more practical use is to use it on a bird feeder to repel squirrels from stealing from it in the same way.

3. WD-40 is also a mildew suppressant so feel free to spray it on those outdoor decorations that tend to get moldy, such as a fountain.

4. WD-40 actually is a very good insect repellant to keep such things as wasps from nesting on your house as well as keeping slug and snails from making a meal of your potted plants as well as keeping spiders away from your shed and since its water proof you don’t have to reapply after it rains.

5. If you’re doing some outside work and laid down some chalk lines but the sky is looking grey and rain is coming before you’re finished then spay down those lines with WD-40 and they will still be there when the rain passes.

6. While you might prefer to use grease on the chain of your bike that doesn’t protect the rest of it from being splashed by a mud puddle so spray the frame down to keep it mud free and while you’re at it do the same for your shoes.

7. Don’t you hate it when you start to mow and the grass is so thick that the underside and chute keeps clogging? Spray the underside to prevent that.

Looking for more uses

Check out a few WD-40 home and garden uses, compiled from WD-40’s official list of 2,000+ uses, below:

● Removes tree sap
● Apply on medicine cabinet closure to prevent sticking
● Brings back paint on faded house shutters and makes them look new
● Cleans adhesive tape residue on audio/visual cables
● Cleans and protects handcuffs
● Cleans and protects medicine door latches
● Cleans axe blades
● Cleans bed frame
● Cleans bed pans
● Cleans blades on box cutters
● Cleans chair wheels
● Cleans clogged Inkjet nozzle
● Cleans crayon off of rock walls
● Cleans dirty power cords
● Cleans gum from boots
● Cleans gunk from phone buttons
● Cleans mastic off floor tiles (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
● Cleans printer toner from unwanted places
● Cleans salt-impregnated ice from the soles of work boots
● Cleans scum from rubber gloves
● Cleans window caulking
● Coat door knobs prior to painting to keep paint from sticking
● Drive moisture from bottom of leaky coffee pot
● Drives debris from rototiller bits
● Drives moisture from moving garden tools to help prevent corrosion
● Drives moisture from shovel handles
● Eases assembly of vinyl fencing
● Eliminates squeaking from locks
● Eliminates squeaks from locks
● Erases marks caused by chair backs on running boards of wall
● Frees locking nuts on lawn mower blades
● Frees locking pins on tiller
● Frees rusted hinges on fire alarm boxes
● Frees sticky snow blower throttle cable
● Frees up extendable paint roller poles that get clogged with paint