39 Surprising Uses for WD-40
By Anglina RobertsOften called the liquid miracle due to its outstanding ability to deal with multiple things, WD-40 has been around for 67 years, and there’s no stopping it. From dealing with rusty metal, squeaky doors, and unwanted stains, WD-40 is a staple in households all over the world. In case you were wondering, this water-displacing spray was first released in San Diego, California, and in those early days, its inventors only described three uses for it.
Over the years, however, a lot of people have been able to maximize its application. Although some of their ideas are strange, they prove that there’s nothing WD-40 cannot do. With that said, it’s time to grab your notepad as we’re about to reveal some of the coolest ways you can use WD-40.
No More Skipping Records
In this day and age of endless connectivity, we are glad that some old-school things still have their place. Though we now have smartphones and streaming services, listening to music on a vinyl record is irreplaceable.
Scratches are a common issue with records, making the song skip, and driving you crazy in the process. With the help of WD-40, this never has to be a problem again. Just wipe the record with WD-40. Use a paper towel, and be sure to be gentle!
Fixing Those Stuck Zippers
This is one of the most annoying things, and it always seems to happen at the most inconvenient possible time. For some reason, if you are in a hurry or trying to get something important, those bag zippers seem to get stuck.
Pulling with force will either destroy the zipper line or even the bag. That’s where WD-40 comes in handy. By spraying a small amount on the zipper slider and moving it back and forth, you can unlock those zippers in no time.
Avoid Splinters While Using Your Favorite Wooden Tools
This is applicable to those who love woodwork, but it can be used by gardeners and many other people as well. As wooden handles age, your chances of getting splinters from them can increase. Unless, of course, you have some WD-40 on hand.
Splinters are no joke, and if not treated immediately, they can cause septicemia or blood poisoning. Instead of throwing these tools in the trash, try spraying the handles with WD-40 and letting the miracle spray do the work.
WD-40 As A Hairbrush Cleaner?
There’s an ongoing debate regarding this surprising use of WD-40. Apparently, if you spray the right amount of liquid into a hairbrush, it will make its bristle soft. After that, you can easily remove the excess hair that is piled up on the hairbrush.
The question is, will you do more damage to the bristles? More important still, will the WD-40 affect your hair? Please be careful if you decide to try this hack, and make sure you clean off the WD-40 thoroughly before brushing your hair again!
Can You See The Writings On The Wall?
Children bring unparalleled happiness into a home, but at the same time, these kids have the ability to graze every nerve we have left. One of the most infuriating things a parent can find is a wall covered in crayon creations.
Of course, you can’t be too mad. After all, they were only trying to be creative. Still, that doesn’t help with the mess! Thankfully, WD-40 can come to the rescue. Instead of using expensive cleaning products, simply wipe the wall over with WD-40 and let the miracle liquid work its magic.
Keeping The Leather Furniture In Great Condition
There was a time when this kind of recommendation was considered an anomaly. Indeed, many experts refused to recommend using WD-40 on precious leather. However, as time progressed, WD-40 continued to pop up in leather care posts and recommendations online.
Who would have thought that a small amount of WD-40 and a cloth are all you need to help your leather last longer. Since WD-40 is a moisture displacer, it makes the leather look brand new.
No More Squirrels On The Bird Feeders
To those who are living with a beautiful backyard and trees, having bird feeders is a must. This is a simple way for us to make sure these birds have something to eat, and it’s lovely to see them coming back to your garden again and again.
Having bird feeders doesn’t only attract birds but squirrels as well. To stop the squirrels from hogging all the food, simply spray a layer of WD-40 on the center pole. This will make it too slippery for the squirrels to climb.
Say Goodbye To Those Annoying Grass Jams
If you’ve ever tried cleaning your backyard with a lawnmower, you will surely understand what we are talking about. It doesn’t matter if you have the latest, fanciest lawnmower – grass jams are expected to happen.
To fix this, we usually have to manually remove all the accumulated grass. This will get the job done, but there’s a quicker way – applying WD-40. A good spray will clear out the grass, and as a bonus, it helps prevent rust.
Getting Rid Of Those Annoying Backyard Thistles
Weeds are every gardener’s nightmare, and thistles are no exception. Yes, they look cute and colorful, but those experienced in dealing with thistles know exactly what we are talking about.
Did you know that some thistles are considered noxious weeds? That’s where WD-40 comes in. It won’t just knock the tops off, like a lawnmower. It will kill the whole thistle. Sadly, some lovely plants are so prickly they need to be controlled.
Finally, A Dependable Aid For Cleaning The Toilet
Okay, how many of us have tried multiple products in trying to clean our toilet? How many times have we failed at getting the bowl sparkling white? Some of these cleaning products are not only expensive but they have a strong chemical smell that can’t be good for you.
We are not suggesting that you ditch all of your cleaning agents, but if all else has been failing, try spraying WD-40 around your toilet bowl. Leave it for about 5-10 minutes, then start cleaning. Get set for a pleasant surprise!
Gum On Your Shoes?
No matter how careful you are, there are just days that don’t work in your favor. You may, for example, be walking to work when that tell-tale tacky tug reveals that you’ve stepped in gum. This is one of the most infuriating situations, especially when you have somewhere important to be.
Normally, we remove the gum by force or using a stick, but this could damage the sole of your shoe in the process. Instead, just spray WD-40 around the gum and then slip it right off.
Lipstick Stains? No Problem!
Another clever usage of this miracle liquid is its ability to remove lipstick stains in an instant. We feel like almost every popular sitcom from the 80s and 90s featured a scene in which a character is caught with a lipstick stain on their collar.
Spraying WD-40 on a lipstick stain sounds like a desperate move, but in this case, it’s a desperate move that works. Don’t let stray makeup ruin a perfectly good outfit. Instead, lift the stain with WD-40.
Ring Removal
Regardless of what age you are, getting a ring stuck on your finger can cause you to panic, cry, or both. We wouldn’t blame you either. Having a ring stuck on your finger can be traumatizing.
The common solution is to use hand soap or oil to lubricate the ring. That may work fine, but you might want to try using WD-40 next time as it will do the same thing with less mess.
Making Shower Heads Looks Good As New
It is no secret that showerheads only last so long before they need to be replaced. This might be due to rust, blocked jets, or simply the desire to give the bathroom a makeover. Rather than throwing an old showerhead away, as most people do, here’s a quick hack that will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Spray WD-40 into your showerhead. It doesn’t matter if it’s an old metal one or a newer design – WD-40 will make it look brand new.
Another Trick For Petrol Heads
This usually happens when you drive around construction sites or freshly tarred roads on a regular basis. Those specks of tar might seem innocent enough, but once you try to move them, you’ll realize they’re not interested in leaving you anytime soon.
Luckily, there’s a much better and more economical way to remove this black goo. Spray WD-40 all over the affected area. Get a soft cloth, and wipe it gently. The tar should come away relatively easily.
Separate Stuck Glassware
Here’s another maddening situation that seems to happen at the most inopportune times. If you pile glasses up after washing them, there’s a risk that they will get stuck together.
The most common remedy to separate them is by using a water and soap solution. However, the success rate is not that good. Instead, apply WD-40 around the glasses and gently move them from a clockwise to a counterclockwise position. Voila – another surprising use for WD-40!
Can WD-40 Repair Cracked Phone Screens?
This hack may seem like it’s too good to be true, and that’s because it is. Sadly, there’s no secret special way to use WD-40 to repair cracks on your phone screen. If you ever see a thumbnail claiming it can, we don’t suggest wasting your time on it.
The lesson here is that the internet is full of enticing thumbnails and headlines claiming products like WD-40 can do all sorts of miraculous things. While we’re clearly fans of WD-40, it’s important to be realistic about what it can and can’t do.
For those who use scissors daily, here’s a clever hack that you need to implement ASAP. There are two things that make us want to throw our scissors in the trash. First, the blades are no longer sharp. Second, sticky residue keeps collecting on the blades.
Keeping Scissors Clean And Sharp
Thankfully, there’s no need to worry about those things ever again. WD-40 will eliminate these issues. Spray them down once a week for best results. Just don’t forget to rinse the scissors with water and dry them afterward.
Killing Those Nasty Slugs
If you have a garden, or even just a small plant, one way or another, slugs will find their way into your greenery. Yes, there are pesticides that can control them, but this aggressive method isn’t the only effective approach.
Animal-loving gardeners may wish to try using WD-40. Slugs don’t like crawling through it, and as a bonus, it’s cheaper than pesticides. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about kids or pets getting exposed to anything toxic.
Removing Cup Stains Easily
Wooden furniture creates a cozy aesthetic, and it is durable compared to plastic or metal. However, being durable doesn’t mean that it can’t be damaged. For instance, simple cup stains not treated immediately will surely leave a mark on your woodwork.
Water and other cleaning agents never seem to work, and some people go as far as repainting or applying a wood stain. However, there’s an easier way, and that is to simply apply WD-40 and then wipe away the stain.
Removing Gunk From Carpets
Yet another nightmare for homeowners is when you accidentally spill glue or candle wax on your precious carpets. If this happens, we usually spend a whole lot of time or money trying to fix the problem.
Rather than wasting a minute on other avenues, simply turn to WD-40. It will magically remove the glue or wax spill while maintaining the quality of the carpet.
Removing Heavy Dust Particles
Having an air conditioning unit is a lifesaver, especially during summertime. To fully experience the capacity of your AC, you have to make sure that it is clean and dust-free.
Heavy dust particles often end up in your air conditioning units. Removing them is not that hard, but not that easy either. Before you call in the experts, try spraying WD-40 on your AC filter.
Instant Mildew Remover
Did you know that mold and mildew can cause health problems with prolonged exposure? They contain mycotoxins which can cause mild to severe symptoms in humans. To clean mildew and mold, many people turn to bleach and water.
Experts seem to be unable to agree on whether bleach is truly helpful against mold and mildew. Thankfully, we don’t need to worry because WD-40 will remove these fungal invaders with ease. Just WD-40 to the affected area then clean it with a paper towel or cloth.
Ice On Your Windshield?
If you live in a cold region, this is a trick you need to know. The windshield of your car will inevitably develop a layer of ice during the coldest nights of the year.
There are a lot of ways to remove or break the ice on your windscreen and windows. Of these, rubbing alcohol seems to be the quickest and most effective. WD-40 can act as a water repellant, preventing ice from forming. However, it’s best to use it only on metals like your license plate.
Lego Problems Solved
Who doesn’t love building things with Legos? They might look like a simple toy, but with the right technique, you can create a masterpiece. Did you know that the largest set of Lego art consists of more than 10,000 pieces of interlocking plastic bricks?
While playing with Legos can be fun, it can be maddening as well, especially when those bricks get stuck together. Having a separator is great, but having WD-40 on hand might be even better.
Piano Perfection
Tired of gunk and grime building up on your piano keys? Well, you’ve come to the right place. A simple water solution can remove these sticky substances but it won’t be able to repel them.
Spraying WD-40 on your piano keys and wiping them gently will do the job for you. However, be cautious in applying it as it might affect your piano keys. Applying one layer of the liquid spray is enough.
WD-40 For Polishing Silverware
This water-displacing spray is indeed a miracle worker. It seems to work on almost any material, including wood, metal, and even plastic. If you have silverware at home and you are not comfortable using a solution of vinegar, baking soda, and water, we’ve got your back.
Make sure the silverware is dry before you do anything. Then, start spraying a small amount of WD-40 on your silverware. Finally, get a soft cloth and gently polish your silverware.
Tangle-Free Fishing Lines
Imagine you are on your vacation and ready to go fishing. The sky is clear, the water is calm, and the only thing left to do is to drop your line into the water. However, as soon as you do so, you notice that your fishing line is hideously tangled.
Instead of throwing that tangled mess of fishing line away, try this magic trick first. Spray WD-40 on it and carefully start pulling the strings. Voila!
Deflect Insect Splatter
Anyone who spends a considerable amount of time on the road, especially those who venture outside the city limits, will tell you insect splatter is the worst. The whole front end of your car becomes an insect graveyard, and if you don’t clean it off right away, it can do more damage than most of us realize.
You can prevent this by simply spraying WD-40 on the car’s grille. Don’t do it too often, though, as it might damage the grille.
Snowboard Wax Remover
Putting wax on a snowboard keeps your board from drying up, essentially hydrating it in the same way we need to hydrate after a few long runs down the hill.
Regarding the best frequency for waxing your snowboard, it really depends on the material it’s made from and how often you give it a workout. Eventually, the wax will create a gooey sticky structure that you should remove. In order to do that, apply WD-40 and use a small cloth to wipe it off.
A Quick Solution For Cobwebs
Dealing with spiders can be a nightmare, and that is why we let professional pest controllers do the job for us. Finding the creatures inside your house is alarming, but finding a web is worse.
To prevent this from happening, try spraying some WD-40 in the corners where spiders like to lurk. They won’t be able to latch on with their webs, so they’ll seek out an alternative place to set up camp.
Protecting Your Chalk Art Drawings
This style of artwork is on a rise due to the influence of famous people and the fact that chalk is a non-expensive material. Chalk art is often used in restaurants and shops, but due to the nature of the material, this artwork can be easily erased.
If you want to preserve your precious chalk artwork, you might need to start investing in WD-40. This sounds strange, we know, but it’s an effective method for making your beautiful works of art last.
Stop Trashing Those Plastic Monoblock Lawn Chairs
If you think we are crazy about this next feature, then we can’t blame you. After having a successful barbecue or party, it is time to clean those lawn chairs and pile them over to the side. However, as time progresses, even the most conscientious cleaners may start to see their outdoor chairs degrade.
While their stability isn’t affected, they do look pretty ugly. To prevent this from happening, after cleaning them and letting them dry, apply some WD-40. You’ll soon see the difference in how long their fresh, clean look lasts.
Oh Barnacles
Before we proceed with this clever hack, did you know that barnacles are edible and delicious? That’s right, these creatures, commonly considered to be pests of the sea, can be harvested and prepared like any other seafood.
Delicious though they may be, one common issue every boat owner encounters is having barnacles sticking on their boats. To remove them, many people use force or a pressure washer. However, there’s an easier way – spraying WD-40 on the affected areas of the boat.
Having Problems With Rust? Look No Further Than WD-40
How many of us are tired of trying to eliminate rust from our daily lives? Seriously, the constant battle with rusting tools is cumbersome. Yes, there are certain solutions that might help in removing it, but most of them are too pricey. Soaking rusty metals in vinegar works fine, but here’s another way that’s even easier.
Introducing the power of WD-40. Not only does it work on simple rust but it also works on tools that seem too far gone to save.
Gardening Hacks 101: Using WD-40
No, we are not going to use WD-40 as a fertilizer to grow your plants. This trick has been introduced many times by experienced landscapers, and we can’t thank them enough. If you don’t have a hoe to shape or clear the soil, using a shovel works fine.
However, if you have a hard time utilizing it, you might need to apply some WD-40 to the shovel’s blade. Doing this will make it easier for the shovel to penetrate the soil.
Another Trick For Removing Stickers
The most common method for removing stickers is to use a blow dryer to dry out the glue. The concentrated heat from the blow dryer reduces the adhesiveness of the sticker, and they usually flake right off.
What if you don’t have a blow dryer handy? Will you take the risk of peeling the stickers manually, or are you open to a clever suggestion? That’s right, you can use WD-40 to remove stickers effortlessly, with no sticky residue left behind.
There’s No Stopping The Magic Of WD-40
We are nearly at the end of this showcase of the brilliance of WD-40, and this one is not surprising at all. There was once a show on HGTV called Design On A Dime. The show was all about demonstrating techniques for making our houses beautiful.
There was an episode in which they were in a rush but had to clean an entire house. One of the members of the show suggested using WD-40 to clean the tiles, and boy was he correct! It did a phenomenal job.
Cleaning Dirty Shoes
We are divided on this one as shoeaholics love their sneakers so much, they don’t want unproven cleaning materials touching their shoes. We totally understand them, but for those who are open to a cheaper suggestion, now is your chance.
If you are not that meticulous with your shoes, and you just want them to be squeaky clean, try applying WD-40. Wait for about a minute, then start scrubbing with a toothbrush. After that, rinse the shoe with water and wipe it clean with a cloth.