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For many of us, purchasing WD-40 is often prompted by the need to silence a squeaky door, only for the can to be shelved and forgotten. If you find yourself in this category, chances are you have a can of WD-40 stashed away in the pantry or beneath the sink, quietly collecting dust.
If you thought WD-40 was only good for loosening rusty bolts or stopping squeaky hinges, think again. You might be overlooking the potential of this versatile product.
Although the exact ingredients remain a bit of an enigma, the abbreviation “WD,” representing “Water Displacement,” is just the starting point of its potential. This well-known spray has numerous practical uses.
Here are 15 uses for WD-40 around the home.
WD-40 protects metal from rust and corrosion, drives out moisture, and quickly frees stuck or sticky parts with ease. It also lubricates moving components and removes grease, grime, and other tough residues from a variety of surfaces.
1. Chewing Gum Removal
You can use WD-40 to remove gum that’s stuck to your shoes, clothes, walls, floors, and yes, even your hair.
First, try to get rid of as much gum as possible before applying the WD-40. Then, apply WD-40 to the area and remove the gum from the area.
2. Crayon on Walls
If your child decides to use crayons on the wall, WD-40 will be there to help. Simply spray the affected area with WD-40, wipe off the crayon with a clean cloth, and your wall should look as good as new.
3. Remove Permanent Marker from Whiteboard
Similar to crayons, you can use WD-40 to remove permanent marker from a whiteboard. This is especially useful if you somehow grabbed the wrong marker and left a permanent note you want to erase from the whiteboard.
All you need to do is spray the WD-40-marked area of the whiteboard and then wipe it away.
4. Rusty Tools
If you have rusty tools stashed away in the garage or garden, WD-40 is a great option for bringing them back to life. WD-40 will remove rust from your old tools, restoring their original shine.
5. Remove Scuff Marks from the Floor
If mopping isn’t doing the trick to get rid of those scuff marks on your floor, try using WD-40. A little spray on the marks, followed by a wipe, can work wonders.
WD-40 is particularly great at tackling dirt and scuffs on ceramic and luxury vinyl plank floors.
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6. Getting Rid of Stickiness
There is no need for heavy tools like chisels or razor blades to deal with leftover residue from old decals, stickers, tape, labels, or bumper stickers.
A quick solution is to spray it with WD-40, wait for a minute, and then wipe off the residue with a cloth. WD-40 works its magic to tackle sticky leftovers effectively, making it easier to remove whatever’s stuck without much hassle.
7. Clean Inside the Toilet
To remove lime stains from the toilet bowl, try spraying it with WD-40. After that, a good scrub using a toilet brush followed by a flush should do the trick.
WD-40 will work its magic to break down the grime and lime deposits, making the job much easier.
8. Make Your Stainless Steel Shine
Fingerprints, smudges, and water spots can mar the beauty of your stainless steel surfaces. To keep them looking their best, stainless steel requires a specialized cleaner.
WD-40 is a reliable option for cleaning, polishing, and safeguarding stainless steel surfaces. It effectively restores the shine and effortlessly wipes away those annoying fingerprints from stainless steel appliances.
9. Remove Oil Stains
Dealing with stubborn grease stains can be quite a hassle, whether it’s a blotch on your blouse or an oil mark on your garage floor. Fortunately, WD-40 simplifies the process of tackling these messes.
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10. Liven Up Your Artificial Plants
Give your artificial plants a natural-looking boost by sprucing up their leaves with WD-40. A light spritz of WD-40, followed by a gentle polish with a cloth, can make a significant difference. This simple trick will help to make the fake plants look like the real deal.
11. Deep Clean the Car
WD-40 is a versatile choice for thoroughly cleaning your car, both internally and externally. It works wonders as a pre-scrub treatment for the exterior, effortlessly dissolving dirt and grime.
When it comes to the interior, a spray of WD-40 on the leather seats and other surfaces can bring back that fresh, new look.
12. Loosen a Stuck Zipper
We’ve all experienced the frustration of a stuck zipper. Whether it’s on a jacket, a bag, luggage, or a pair of jeans, it can be incredibly annoying. WD-40’s lubricating properties can help loosen stubborn zippers and get them back in working order.
To fix a stuck zipper, start by spraying a small amount of WD-40 along the length of the zipper. Then, gently pull the zipper up and down to distribute the WD-40 evenly.
13. Clear Away Glue
Whether on your hands or a hard surface, removing dried glue is a breeze with WD-40. Just spray WD-40 on the spot, let it sit for at least 30 seconds, and then wipe it clean.
14. Winterize Your Boots
Protect your boots and shoes during the winter season with WD-40. It forms a barrier that prevents water and other liquids from seeping into the material, effectively extending the life of your footwear.
Spray WD-40 on your shoes and wipe them with a clean cloth to apply this extra layer of protection.
15. Remove Stickers and Decals
Sticker residue can be quite stubborn to remove; typical methods, such as soap and water, chisels, or razor blades, often struggle to eliminate the sticky residue. A simple solution is WD-40.
WD-40 can easily remove old decals, bumper stickers, sticky tape residue, or stubborn price tags with no problem.
Other posts you might like:
- 12 Genius Ways to Use The Pink Stuff Cleaner
- Don’t Toss Your Rusty Cast Iron Pan. Here’s How You Can Bring it Back to Life
- 15 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds
Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
