I was talking with a neighbor about duct tape. We were actually joking about how it can be used for pretty much anything. She told me the other item she can’t live without in her home is WD-40. I had no clue that it had so many uses.
So I decided to find out more about WD-40. Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a “water displacement” compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. I have always just thought it was for squeaky door hinges.
Here are some of the uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that ‘just-waxed’ sheen without making it slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows…… that’s a funny one that I am not sure I personally will try
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. I have even been using it on my windshield.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes – of course that’s the one I knew before!
18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor!
19. Removes dead bugs from your car.
20. Gives a the swing set slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Removes gum from carpet, hair, or dog fur (yes I have tried that)
22. Removes crayon from carpet (be sure to test WD-40 on low visibility area of carpet before using)
The claim is that there is nothing in WD-40 that will harm a person, but I just want to say if you are using inside your home — open a window because it certainly doesn’t smell great.
More great uses can be found here.
bequi
It can also get crayon out of your clothes after they've been through the dryer. Check out crayola.com for the full instructions.
McKenna
Your husbands might be interested in this little known use…. My dad growing up would take me fishing. After baiting the hook he would spray his bait with WD-40…. It really attracts the fish!
Elizabeth
Original list of 2000+ uses for WD-40 from the WD-40 website:
https://www.wd40.com/files/pdf/wd-40_2042538679.pdf
I was astounded, and I've been using it for all sorts of things for years!
PeteS
You think WD-40 is good, you should try JB-80. https://justicebrothers.com/pages/products/products_specialty.htm I don't know anyone that carries it here in Utah, if you do let me know. They used the number 80 because it's twice as good as WB-40.
April
I once spilled a large amount of bacon grease on a pair of pants. I was able to save them by spraying on WD-40, rubbing in Dawn dish detergent, and washing in the washing machine. The grease was completely gone.
Diane
I thought it was just squirt-able oil. I didn't know it wasn't only oil, but other stuff too. I'm a little surprised it's okay on clothing. (back to the squirtable oil comment). I think I'll for sure try it on my shower door. I hate scrubbing the hard water off. Thanks!