A Spray that Seemingly Does it All
WD-40 was created for the aerospace industry, but it’s become a household staple because it’s so versatile in and around the home. Inside the familiar blue-and-yellow can is a secret blend of lubricants with anticorrosion, water displacement, and soil removal superpowers.
This handy spray first was produced in the 1950s. Once the company perfected the formula, customers began finding creative ways to use it.
Grab a can today to solve some of the nagging household problems that follow.
Surface Stain Removal
Is there an artist-in-residence at your home? Whether your child has scribbled on a wall or tabletop, WD-40 and a clean, dry rag are a one-two punch against stains. The formula (which is recommended by Crayola in their stain removal guide) is particularly potent against crayon, clay, glue, tape, and stickers. Just test on an inconspicuous area first—spray on, then wipe off.
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Keep Animals Away
Keep squirrels off your bird feeders by spraying poles with WD-40. While birds will still be able to enjoy the feeders, squirrels won’t get enough traction to climb them. The lubricant also works as a pigeon repellent on balconies and roofs, because the birds hate its smell.
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The Perfect Polish
What do DVDs, mother-of-pearl, seashells, restaurant booths, stethoscopes, and artificial flowers have in common? They can all be cleaned and polished with WD-40. This product is a lifesaver when traditional soap-and-water methods fail. Simply spray on and use a clean, dry rag to remove any excess. WD-40 will leave many of your hard-to-clean items looking like new.
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Cope with the Cold
WD-40 is a true cold-weather friend. Spray your locks with WD-40 to prevent them from freezing. Add a coat of it to your snow shovel, and you’ll clear sidewalks with less effort, because snow won’t cling to your shovel. Or spray it on windows to prevent ice from building up and blocking natural light.
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Defend Against Insects
A light coating of WD-40 on doorframes, screens, and window sills keeps bugs from crawling into your home. If they find another way in, a quick shot immediately kills most problematic insects. Many people even swear by the lubricant's ability to provide pain relief from bee stings and fire ant and mosquito bites, although those with sensitive skin should steer clear of this treatment.
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Health and Beauty Aid
WD-40 can treat a range of problems created by the use (and misuse) of cosmetics. For starters, it removes stubborn depilatory wax, makeup, and hair dye from carpets and furniture. It can even help you ease chewing gum out of your hair.
Arts and Crafts
WD-40 isn't only for cleaning and maintenance—it can also be used to make art projects. WD-40 reacts with marker and paint to create an interesting visual effect. For example, spraying it on a canvas or poster board and allowing it to dry makes a unique textured base for painting projects.
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Break In Your Leather—Or Revive It!
WD-40 makes stiff leather items soft and supple. Dog collars, baseball gloves, work boots, shoes, and sandals all benefit from a spray. As a bonus, you’ll remove stubborn stains which means the lubricant is particularly useful in treating vintage items. It’s equally useful on leather-like materials, such as automobile and boat upholstery.
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Fisherman's Friend
Rumor has it that fish are attracted to the scent of WD-40. That's not true (unfortunately), but you should still stash some in your tackle box. WD-40 keeps reels spinning and releasing with ease. It softens and refreshes plastic lures, and removes the scent from them, making it more likely that fish will approach. Before using this formula on your fishing gear always check local laws first, since chemical baits may be prohibited.
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When You Have Enough Luck
There’s an old saying that when birds poop on you or your property, it’s good luck. In reality, when bird droppings hit your windshield or hood, it’s a menace to clean, and it clings as if it’s determined to stay put. Unfortunately, bird feces are also high in uric acid, which can damage the paint if left too long. When birds use your car for target practice, leave WD-40 on the droppings for 30 seconds, which will magically loosen even dried-on messes.
Leave No Trace
Stainless steel appliances look sharp, but let’s face it, they’re magnets for fingerprints. Wiping with a regular cloth can leave streaks behind, which leaves the fridge, toaster, or dishwasher looking less than pristine. Instead of reaching for a sponge and soapy cleanser, spray a little WD-40 on a microfiber cloth and wipe away fingerprints easily.
RELATED: How to Clean Stainless Steel
Help for Messy Painters
Painting the walls of a home can be very polarizing: DIYers seem to either enjoy it or loathe it entirely. Even with drop cloths, painting tape, and other protective measures, drops of paint can inevitably land on your floor. If you have a tile floor, don’t panic. Even if the paint has dried, you can blast it with a few sprays of WD-40 and wipe it clean. If the paint is stubborn, spray it again to help loosen any dried paint.
You can also use WD-40 to loosen paint can lids, refresh dried-out paintbrush bristles, and even preventively spray door knobs and handles, so any drops of paint that hit them will wipe right off.
Unknot That Necklace
It’s common to find tangled necklaces in your jewelry box, but it can be frustrating trying to undo the knots, especially if they’re pulled tight. A little lubrication goes a long way in helping restore order to your chains and pendants. Spray some WD-40 on the chaotic areas, and the strands will come apart smoother, faster, and with less aggravation. After untangling, make sure to clean the jewelry, especially if your skin is sensitive to WD-40.
Tackle Duct Tape Residue
When you need adhesive that’s strong, long-lasting, and reliable, duct tape is the DIYer’s best friend. However, duct tape fixes might not be permanent. If you’ve ever removed duct tape that was intended as a temporary solution, you’ll be familiar with the sticky and difficult residue it leaves behind. Spray on the WD-40, give it a couple of minutes to soak in, then it should wipe away the tackiness and leave behind a clean surface. This trick works for stickers and other tape or glue residue, too.
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