15 Genius Tips For Using WD-40 At Home
You may have heard of WD-40 as one of those products that can be used in multiple ways, even if you always turn to it for the same reason time and time again, such as lubricating a squeaky door hinge, for example. However, that can with the signature logo on the vibrant yellow background likely has way, way more uses than you would have ever thought — in fact, according to the WD-40 website, there are over 2,000 documented uses.
There's a use for just about every area in your house, and just about every tricky task on your list. To that end, if you don't already have a can of this product in your home maintenance arsenal, trust us — you'll want to go grab some from the store to have at home. It'll likely come in handy more often than you think. Here are just 15 of the many uses for WD-40.
Remove scuff marks from the floor
With regular use, even if you're careful, your flooring can get various scuffs and scratches over the years. Next time you spot an unsightly scuff in a high-traffic area, don't fret — as Family Handyman suggests, just reach for that can of WD-40. All you really have to do is spray the area and then wipe the scuff away, although you may want to follow up by cleaning the floor as you normally would to get rid of any WD-40 residue.
Get rid of residue from stickers, labels, etc.
Whether you've purchased a new glass vase from TJ Maxx or labelled various jars in your pantry that you later want to change, let's face it — nothing is more frustrating than painstakingly peeling away a sticker or label, only to be left with that tacky residue. However, the solution for that turns out to be WD-40, as per Family Handyman. With some WD-40 application and a few minutes of your time, you should be able to effortlessly wipe away any of that pesky residue from your item.
Prevent rust
If you're the type to always accidentally leave your metal tools outside in the rain or snow, there's an easy hack for that: When you spot those tools that were forgotten, simply coat them with some WD-40, as the brand's own website suggests. The lubricating substance should help to prevent rust from forming on those tools, so you won't be fretting about having to replace all the implements that you left on the lawn.
Remove any stains from your stainless steel sink
Stainless steel sinks are relatively easy to clean and sanitize, but occasionally you may end up with a particularly stubborn stain that just doesn't seem to budge. In cases like that, as Kitchn recommends, reach for a can of WD-40. The multi-use substance will help you tackle that stain, once and for all, whether it's because of rust, hard water, or grease, as WD-40 Australia explains. All you need to do is spray the solution onto the affected area and then wipe away — simple!
Tackle tile grout grime
Even if you clean your bathroom on a regular schedule, it can be challenging to clean the grout — we'd wager that very few people have the patience to scrub along every inch of the grout during their weekly deep-clean. That's where WD-40 can come in handy; as Kitchn indicates, you can spray it on the area you're looking to deep clean, and then wash it with soapy water. This tip applies to tile anywhere in your home, from bathroom floor tile to a kitchen backsplash.
Get permanent marker off a whiteboard
Whether it was you or someone else in your household who reached for the wrong marker, it can be frustrating to discover that you've accidentally made a permanent mark on your whiteboard. Before you go tossing the board out, or looking for something to cover up the mark, try reaching for WD-40. As The Spruce reports, you should be able to spray it on the marker, wait a few moments, and then easily wipe it all off as if it was a regular erasable whiteboard marker.
Clean the toilet bowl
Anything that makes the dreaded task of deep cleaning your toilet bowl easier is a plus in our book. According to Reader's Digest, WD-40 can be a great choice for the job, particularly if you're trying to get rid of lime stains or other stubborn marks. As with most tips for WD-40, all you really need to do is spray it onto the area you're looking to address — the bowl of your toilet, in this case — give it a few minutes to do it's thing, and then scrub away all that grime.
Condition leather furniture
Is your leather armchair looking a bit worse for wear? Before you go investing in expensive substances meant specifically to condition leather, you might want to try reaching for your can of WD-40 instead, according to Reader's Digest. The powerhouse product will apparently "clean, penetrate, lubricate, and protect," serving multiple functions to keep your leather looking as incredible as when you bought it. All you really need to do is buff the product into the leather surface and wait for the results.
Clean your grill
If you love to grill on a regular basis, but aren't the biggest fan of deep-cleaning your barbecue after each use, turn to WD-40 for a quick and easy solution. As Reader's Digest explains, the product can be sprayed onto a cooled grill that's looking a bit grimy and then scrubbed away with a wire brush. You may still want to rinse off the grill afterwards with some regular soap and water, but the WD-40 means you won't have to use quite as much elbow grease to get your grill gleaming.
Clean lawn mower blades
The last thing you want when you're pushing your lawn mower around the yard is for the blades to get all clogged up with grass, to the point where they're not functioning as they should be. Keep a can of WD-40 handy for that purpose, according to the WD-40 website. Apparently, the versatile substance can prevent those pesky blades of grass from sticking to the blades of your lawn mower, making the whole process a lot smoother.
Lubricate snow shovels
Just as WD-40 works as a lubricant in areas like door hinges, it can use those same lubricating properties to make certain tasks, like shoveling snow, a little more effortless. As per Expert Home Tips, if you live in a cold climate with plenty of snowfall and shoveling is a constant task, before you head out there, coat your shovel with a thin layer of WD-40. This will help prevent the snow from sticking to the shovel, and encourage it to simply slide off for an easier process.
Prevent splinters
Every material, from metal to wood to fabric, has its pros and cons, but there's one particular con that can arise with any type of wooden object: the risk of splinters. Whether you noticed a dangerous-looking area on the handle of a gardening tool you use, or whether you see a rough spot on a wooden table or chair, you can turn to WD-40. As per Expert Home Tips, the substance's lubricating properties will help tame that rough patch of wood and hopefully keep splinters at bay.
Clean collections
While you may think of WD-40 as something that can help enhance an item's utility, dealing with things like squeaky hinges, it can also help improve many objects' appearances. According to Bob Vila, WD-40 can be used as a polishing agent of sorts that you can spray onto a wide variety of items, from artificial flowers to natural items like seashells to metal items. After you buff away the excess, you'll be left with a sparkling final product.
Treat tannin stains
As any caffeine lover knows, if you happen to get a tea or coffee stain on a surface such as your light-colored countertop, it can be challenging to deal with. Luckily, it's yet another area where your trusty can of WD-40 can come in handy, as Lighter Side of Real Estate explains. Simply cover the stain with WD-40, and use a damp cloth or sponge to easily wipe away the stain.
Frost proof your windows
Anyone who lives in a chilly climate with plenty of snowfall knows that it can easily build up on your windows, which depending on placement can be challenging or nearly impossible to remove. If you want to ensure your view remains unobstructed during even the biggest blizzards, simply coat the exterior of your windows with a thin layer of WD-40, as Reader's Digest suggests. The lubricating substance creates a barrier of sorts, and the snow will just slide off rather than building up until you're snowed in.