18 Genius WD-40 Uses You Haven’t Tried Yet—But Should

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WD-40 was produce in the fifties by Rocket Chemical Company , which aim to make a line of degreasers and rust - prevention dissolvent to use in the aerospace industry . The familiar blue - and - yellow can debuted on store shelves in San Diego in 1958 . Once the party perfected the formula , the public began regain creative ways to put its secret portmanteau of lubricant with anticorrosion , piss - displacement reaction , and ground - remotion superpowers to estimable use .

Before testing out these clever America for WD-40 for yourself , commemorate to always test it on an invisible expanse before using it on a larger surface , cautions Shlomo Cherniak , owner of Baltimore - basedCherniak Handyman Services . Then grab the can , and make quick work of your around - the - house to - do list .

Can of WD40 with people in background.

Photo: amazon.com

1. Remove Marks on Walls

Is there an creative person - in - residence at your home ? Whether your tyke hasscribbled on a wallor tabletop , WD-40 and a fair , dry rag are a one - two poke against stains . It ’s even commend by Crayola in their mark removal scout and is particularly potent against crayons , clay , glue , tape , and gummed label . “ Spray WD-40 on wax crayon marks . countenance it sit down for a few proceedings , then pass over clean with a cloth or parasite , ” Cherniak tally .

2. Polish Household Surfaces

What do DVDs , mother - of - pearl , seashells , eating place booths , stethoscope , and artificial flowers have in common ? They all can be cleaned and svelte with WD-40 . This product is a life belt when traditional soap - and - water method fail . only spray on and use a unobjectionable , teetotal rag to off any excess .

3. Prevent Locks and Shovels From Freezing

When temperatures dip , spritz your vehicle locks with WD-40 to prevent them from freeze out — and while the can is in your hand , give your snowfall spadeful some love , too . “ Spray WD-40 on the shovel blade before shoveling snow to prevent Charles Percy Snow from stick to the blade , ” counsel Cherniak . You ’ll clear pavement with less effort , because snow wo n’t stick to the shovelful . Spray the handy rule on window , too , to forbid ice from build up and block innate light .

4. Defend Against Insects

A light software of WD-40 on doorframe , screens , and windowsills can keep bugs from crawling into your home . Many people even swear by the lube ’s power to provide pain relief from bee stings and fire ant and mosquito bites , although those with sore pelt should guide clear of this treatment .

5. Remove Cosmetics

“ WD-40 ” and “ cosmetics ” are n’t often note in the same sentence , but the nebulizer can treat a range of job make by the use ( and abuse ) of beauty products . For crank , it remove stubborn depilatory wax , make-up , and hair dye from carpet and article of furniture .

6. Create Art Projects

WD-40 is n’t only for cleaning and maintenance : It ’s also surprisingly utile when artistic inspiration strikes . WD-40 reacts with marker and key to create an interesting visual effect . For exemplar , spray it on a canvass and tolerate it to mix in with acrylic pigment dry a unique textured base for painting labor .

7. Break in (or Revive) Leather

WD-40 do loaded leather token feel more soft and supple . Dog collars , baseball game baseball mitt , workplace boots , shoes , and sandal all benefit from a spray . As a bonus , you ’ll take away stubborn stains at the same time , which stand for the lubricant is especially useful in treat vintage detail . It ’s also improves the look of leather - like material , such as boat upholstery .

8. Maintain Fishing Tools

You may have heard the rumor that fish are attracted to the scent of WD-40 . Though the rumour is unfounded , WD-40 is still deserving stashing in your tackle boxful because it lubricate spools ’ inner bearings to keep fishing reels twirl and issue with informality . It can soften and refresh plastic lures and remove the odour of your hands from them , making it more probable that Pisces will sting . Before applying WD-40 to sportfishing gear , however , you may desire to check local fish and wildlife laws — or at least bear in mind that line of a formula that you use to freshen a lure could also finish up in the water .

9. Wipe Away Bird Droppings

You ’ve probably heard the honest-to-god superstition about how it ’s good fortune when a shuttle poops on you — not so , however , when bird droppings hit your railcar . The next clip birds bring “ good luck ” on your vehicle , entrust WD-40 on the place for 30 seconds or so , which will help loosen even dried - on messes . Attend to the muck as soon as you notice them , though : Bird feces are also high in uric acid , which can damage your auto ’s pigment job if they ’re not clean up promptly .

10. Eliminate Fingerprints

Stainless steel applianceslook sharp , but they ’re magnets for fingerprint . pass over with a steady cloth can depart streaks behind — and leave the electric refrigerator , toaster , ordishwasherlook less than pristine . rather of reaching for a parasite and soapy cleansing agent , “ Spray WD-40 on a cloth and pass over appliances to remove fingerprints and smirch . Buff with a sporty , dry cloth for a refined conclusion , ” advises Cherniak .

11. Remove Paint

DIYers seem to either enjoy love painting or abhor it entirely . Even when usingdrop cloths , Felis concolor ’s tape , and other protective measures while painting , drop of key will terminate up on the trading floor . If drop and drabs stop up on yourtile floor , blast it off with a few sprays of WD-40 and wipe it white .

you may also use WD-40 to loosen pigment can lids , and refresh dry - out paintbrush bristle . Before commence a paint job , spray room access knobs and handgrip with WD-40 : It ’ll keep errant drop of paint that hit the metal from sticking .

12. Unknot a Necklace

If you have a jewellery loge with treasure and baubles , chances are , there ’s at least a mates of tangled necklaces in the mix . A little lubrication goes a long way in help rejuvenate order to your chains and pendants . Spray some WD-40 on the naut mi , and the fibril will arrive apart smoother , faster , and with less aggravation . After extrication , ensure toclean the jewelry , peculiarly if you have sensitive skin .

13. Tackle Duct Tape Residue

When you want an adhesive that ’s unassailable , long - lasting , and reliable , duct tape is your full acquaintance , but its fixes are typically temporary . If you ’ve everremoved channel tapethat stayed on too long or baked in heat or sun , you ’re conversant with the sticky and difficult residue it can lead behind . Spray on the WD-40 , give it a duet of minute to inebriate in , then wipe away the tackiness . This trick work for stickers and other tape or gum residue , too .

14. Restore Wood

If you have scratched or brave Grant Wood furniture that you desire to mend , wipe on some WD-40 . Make certain to soundly scavenge the wood first , then spray a small amount of the original WD-40 formula on a dry , clean cloth and rub it onto the spoilt area . Do n’t enforce too much — you do n’t want to oversaturate the Grant Wood .

15. Protect Outdoor Furniture

spray on a thin bed of WD-40 can ensure that terrace article of furniture can resist the factor , and all of the grime and debris that results from outdoor use . Thoroughly clean everything to take away any built - up dirt and generously spray the WD-40 on any metal , wood , or plastic finish to help defend off moisture and Lord’s Day damage .

16. Remove Gum From Shoes

Stepped into a viscid situation ? A spritz of WD-40 and some nail burnish remover can help oneself pry away gum from the sole of your shoe . Pour a capful of nail polish remover on the gum tree and allow it sit around for 5 hour . Then take theoriginal WD-40 formulaand use the smart straw to spray it on the gum . Wipe off the gingiva with a white cloth , double as necessary .

17. Loosen a Stuck Key

We ’ve all been there : You seek to unlock a door and the primal sticks — or worse , it snarl off , leaving the other one-half inside the lock . A spritz of WD-40 through its straw can help loose it from the lock . Jiggle the key gently until the primal yields .

18. Lubricate Luggage Zippers

Zip through airdrome security checkpoint with a spritz of WD-40 . There ’s nothing bad than having astuck zipperon your travelling bag . To make packing and unpacking a breeze , practice the fresh straw to spray WD-40 onto the slide fastener , avoiding the fabric , to ensure easy access .

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Person scrubbing crayon marks on wall with sponge.