39 Surprising Uses for WD-40

Often 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.