They say there are just two things a person needs to fix something, duct tape and WD-40. If it moves and shouldn’t, use duct tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use WD-40. Those wise words are pretty sure to do the trick, but just like there are tons of additional uses for duct tape, there are plenty of genius WD-40 uses that you’ve probably never thought to try. From removing gum on shoes or in hair and keeping squirrels away from bird feeders to defrosting windshields on cars, WD-40 doesn’t need to be relegated to just loosening that rusty bolt.
1. Leftover Adhesives
Have you ever taped something and when trying to remove the tape, the adhesive stays on the surface? Well, WD-40 will help rid you of that leftover substance. Just spray and wipe it off (some elbow grease may be required).
2. Defrosting
Originally designed to protect missiles from rust and corrosion, it’s not hard to see why WD-40 makes the perfect water repellant for vehicle windshields. Just spray a light coating on the glass and wipe it around. Any frost or ice buildup should come off much easier in the morning.
3. Remove Gum
The viscous oil and hydrocarbons that make up WD-40 are ideal to remove sticky gum from the soles of shoes. Additionally, should you be so unlucky as to find a gob of gum in your hair, WD-40 should help remove the gum without too much cutting (if any at all).
4. Lipstick Stains
Few things complete a look like perfectly matched lipstick, but there are also fewer things that are more difficult to remove from clothing should it stray there. Lucky for us, WD-40 can act as a great pre-wash for lipstick stains to help lift it from the fabric.
5. Rusty Locks
Well, obviously WD-40 helps loosen rusty bolts, but it can also come in handy for rusty padlocks and keys. Like a rusty bolt, try to work the WD-40 into the rusty parts and a little tinkering should loosen the rust right up!
6. Keep Scissors Smooth
Not many things are as satisfying as a smooth cut with a pair of scissors. However, scissors can get dull and dirty and begin to stick together. Use your trusty WD-40 to smooth those blades out and keep those cuts sharp.
7. Clean Sneakers
WD-40 was originally intended to keep the mechanics on missiles from rusting and corroding from dirt, which means this same idea can be applied to many other things. Need a way to keep your new “kicks” looking fresh, apply WD-40 to help keep dirt off, or easily remove dirt that’s already on an older pair.
8. Polish Silver
Many people love the look of silver dishes or silverware, but the metal can tarnish easily over time. Like its use to keep dirt off surfaces, WD-40 can help you polish that silver to give it that like-new sheen all over again.
9. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Depending on the water in your community, your toilet can get those hard-to-clean streaks and stains on the bowl. But thanks to WD-40, you can spray those down and clean off those hard-water stains, as well as add a protective layer to keep them from building up so fast.
10. Keep Wasp Nests Away
Wasps and yellow jackets love to surprise you in the summertime, but WD-40 can help you keep their nests away. Just spray the underside of eaves and overhangs, and the little stingers won’t be able to build their nests there.
11. Water-Resistant Shoes
Just like you can use WD-40 on a windshield as a barrier against rain and snow, you can spray your new shoes to help keep them more water-resistant. Obviously, this won’t work on the mesh parts, but the rubber and foam parts will definitely repel the elements better than before.
12. Free Stuck Legos
Are the kids upset that their Legos are sticking together? Give the pieces a little spray of WD-40, work it around a little, and they should come right apart. Just remember to wash the chemical from the toys with soap and water before giving them back to the kids.
13. Cockroach Killer
Got a bug problem? According to Reader’s Digest, WD-40 will instantly kill cockroaches with just a light spray. Or a lot of spray. Whatever makes you feel confident that they’re not coming back
14. Better Filters
If you’re looking to add a little boost to your air conditioner’s filtering power, WD-40 will do the trick. Spraying the filter gives it extra stickiness that will catch more particles of dirt and dust. “Breathe cleaner with WD-40!”
15. Remove Bumper Stickers
Just like adhesive residue or gum, old bumper stickers have finally met their match when up against WD-40. The secretive WD-40 recipe, known only to the makers because they never patented the formula, helps remove adhesive from your delicate car paint.
16. Remove Road Tar From Your Car
Similar to removing stickers from your bumper, another damaging substance that can make its way onto your vehicle is road tar. But, you guessed it: WD-40 is your saving grace against the nasty substance.
17. Remove Crayon From Walls
When little Susie or Jack inevitably gets their hands on the crayons and ruins your dining room walls, don’t fret over getting a new bucket of paint. Just reach for your trusty WD-40 and a rag. Add a little elbow grease and voila! no more crayon.
18. Fridge Mildew
Mildew in a refrigerator can be a gross and pesky problem. You can think you’ve got it taken care of, but it keeps coming back month after month. However, WD-40 is said to help protect against mildew growth. Just spray the area and wipe it down. The oil should help keep the mildew away.
19. Keep the Bugs Away
WD-40 can be used as an unnatural insect repellant. Many users have said WD-40 around their windowsills helps keep little creepy-crawlers away from your windows. That can be a real blessing in disguise during the warmer summer months!
20. Stuck Rings
We’ve probably all had a ring stuck on our finger at one point or another. The most common substance to try and get it off is soap, but if that doesn’t do it, then give the WD-40 a couple squirts on your finger. Work the oil beneath the ring and it should slide off much easier than if you were using anything else. Just try to limit contact with skin, as the substance can irritate it with repeated contact.
21. Protect Your Bird Feeder
Have a pesky squirrel who keeps stealing the birds’ food? Use WD-40 on the string or shaft that hangs the feeder. The squirrel will have trouble climbing the slick surface with its tiny claws.
22. Remove Water Stains
Water stains in the bathroom can be a ghastly thing to behold every time you get into the shower, and regular washing either doesn’t do the trick or you have to scrub and scrub. But WD-40 can help remove those stains far easier than regular soap and water.
23. Remove Tea Stains
Tea has so many healthy benefits for humans that we all should be drinking it on the regular, but it unfortunately tends to stain surfaces almost as easy as coffee. If you have dark rings on your countertops that just won’t come off with soap and water, give WD-40 a try. We’ve seen reports that this can do the trick and help you get rid of the stains.
24. Spray Your Shovel
Got a hole to dig? Or a trough in your garden? Spray WD-40 on your shovel, spade, hoe, or whatever garden tool you use. The soil should slide right off and make your dig that much easier.
25. Prevent Snow Buildup
For the winter months, WD-40 doesn’t need to hibernate. If your windowsills usually capture a few inches of snow buildup, you can spray them down ahead of that impending snowstorm and the snow shouldn’t be able to accumulate there. You: one; nor’easter: zero.
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