14 Ways To Use WD-40 In Your Home

Odds are, you already have a can of WD-40 in the pantry or under the sink. If you only use your WD-40 once in a blue moon though, you’re missing out on this super product’s full potential. This multi-use must-have is a cleaning and home-maintenance powerhouse. 

Why Is It Called WD-40?

The “WD” in the product’s name stands for “Water Displacement,” and at its core, that’s what WD-40 does. However, it is also effective at degreasing as it’s a lubricant dissolved in a solvent. It’s taken 40 iterations to get the formula just right (hence WD-40), but like a magician, the company behind this miracle product won’t reveal its secrets and tell the world exactly what’s in WD-40. It’s a bit of a mystery, but it works like a dream. 

Even though she’s not completely sure what’s in it, chemist Alexis Rochester says that WD-40 is one of her “favorite chemistry inventions of all time.” It comes in handy all around the house and even out into the yard, she says. However, there are some instances when WD-40 should not be used. Keep this spray away from appliances with heat and from coming in contact with food, as it is flammable and non-edible. Other than that, the home is WD-40’s oyster. From the product’s most well-known functions to surprising applications, here are many WD-40 uses around your home. 

Eliminate Squeaks

WD-40’s signature function is lubricating creaky hinges. Spray it on a squeaking door hinge, drawer, or otherwise to make opening and closing it smoother and quieter. If the problem at hand is that the hinge is caked with dirt or dust, WD-40 can fix that, too.

Remove Sticky Residues

Duct tape, sticker residue, labels, and stepped-on gum are no match for WD-40. Spritz on some to de-gunk any sticky residues or make it easier to detach something that has been stuck on. 

Make Stainless Steel Shine

Stainless steel can’t be cleaned with any old cleanser. Clean your appliances with WD-40 which can also polish and protect stainless steel. All those pesky fingerprints will simply vanish.

Remove Stains

Normally, grease stains can be a nightmare to remove, and one slip of tomato sauce onto your favorite blouse or ink spill onto the white carpet can be catastrophic. WD-40 makes cleaning up these messes almost too easy. 

“It’s definitely really good for grease stains,” agrees Rochester. “I’ve also used it on things that have a waxy substance like crayon and lipstick. It works really well for that.”

Clean Tools

Spray on WD-40 to remove dirt and grime from shop tools and lawn and gardening tools. It will also work to prevent rusting, but don’t worry, WD-40 won’t damage your plants if used on the tools.

“WD-40 is safe for any type of garden tool because it does evaporate pretty quick,” says Rochester, “so you don’t have to worry about it hindering plants or anything like that.”

Repel Pests

It’s as though WD-40’s possibilities know no bounds. In addition to it’s cleaning pursuits, WD-40 will also drive away wasps, snails, and slugs. 

“WD-40 doesn’t share what exactly is in their formula, but it does have mineral oils which are known to repel insects,” explains Rochester. “One of the ways that I use it is on potted plants. If you spray it around a potted plant, the mineral oil will keep the bugs from coming to that area.”

Bring Life To Artificial Plants

In addition to keeping the creepy crawlies off your real plants, artificial plants may benefit from WD-40’s charms, too. Spritz on just a little and polish with a rag or cloth to make the leaves of artificial plants shine, giving them the illusion of being real.

Protect Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture rusting is a tale as old as time. Coat iron pieces with WD-40 to get ahead of the rust and maintain the comforts of your outdoor living areas.

Conceal Tile Scratches

Ceramic tile, marble, and linoleum surfaces are beautiful, but homeowners may avoid them due to fears of chips and scratches. WD-40 is a miracle worker, but it can’t completely fix or prevent these things from happening. It can, however, camouflage the look of any scratches so that you can show off your floors and countertops worry-free. Remember that WD-40 should not be ingested and shouldn’t be sprayed on surfaces where you prepare food.

Remove Nuts And Bolts

Similarly to how it works on door hinges, WD-40 can also come in handy for lubricating nuts, bolts, as well as screws and nails that need to be removed. In addition to greasing up the parts to make them easier to pry out, the product will help prevent rust from forming.

Protect Good Silver

Just when you thought this product couldn’t get any better, we’re here to tell you that WD-40 can also protect Grandma’s good silver from tarnishing. However, as Rochester advised, don’t go putting WD-40 on anything that will come into direct contact with food. For this reason, silverware and silver serving platters can’t be helped by WD-40. Stick to those heirloom candlesticks and picture frames, instead.

Protect Hardware When Painting

Painting can result in a real mess when stray streaks and drips land on handles, knobs, and pulls. Apply WD-40 to all your hardware before you pull out your brush, and it will be exceptionally easy to wipe up any messes.

Keep Squirrels Off Your Feeders

Those rascals are determined to get into your bird feeders, whether they have to climb, drop, or leap to get there. Coat any poles as well as the top of bird feeders with WD-40 so that squirrels will slide right off.

Protect Your Lawn Mower

A coating of WD-40 will protect your lawn mower parts from rusting and corrosion. Applying it to the blade can also keep grass from sticking.