15 Brilliant 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 break it out once in a blue moon though, then you’re missing out on this super product’s full potential. This multi-use must-have is a cleaning and home maintenance power house. 

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 and can act as 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 their 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, she says, all around the house and even out into the yard. 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’s how to use WD-40 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 go 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 Stickiness

Duct-tape, stickers, 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. Follow our steps here to clean your appliances or go in with WD-40 which can clean, 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 Garden Tools

Spray on WD-40 to remove dirt and grime from 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.”

Clean Concrete And Ceramic

Grimy sidewalks on the edge of your property can be frustrating, but WD-40 can clear any mess right up. The same goes for ceramic floors which may be susceptible to scuff marks that may be easily removed with some WD-40. Similarly, this product can be used to clean ceramic pots in your container garden.

Remove Mildew From Metal

One of Rochester’s favorite ways to use WD-40 is to revive metal that has begun to mildew. It’s a calamity she knows all too well and happens especially to the bottom of her refrigerator. Other cleaners just weren’t doing the trick, either. That’s why she keeps a can of WD-40 on deck to solve the problem.

Protect Pipes

On their website, the folks behind WD-40 clue us into another surprising way to make the most of this hot commodity. Spray it on your pipes, they say, as a protective coat that can prevent the pipe from bursting. In the winter, it can also help the pipe to avoid freezing by dispersing any moisture that builds up there.

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 Counter-Top And Floor 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. 

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 also tackle any rust keeping these pieces in place.

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.

Clean The Car

This product has proved to be a lifesaver all over the house and into the lawn, too. Now, it’s time to take the WD-40 out into the garage or the driveway—wherever your car awaits. Both inside and out, WD-40 can be used to deep clean your car. Use it before scrubbing the exterior to melt away dirt and grime, then spray it inside, especially if you have leather seats, to make the interior look good as new.