WD-40 was created in 1953 by a chemical company as a rust preventive solvent. The primary purpose was to protect against rust and corrosion and provide water displacement to restore wet or flooded equipment, such as the engine, spark plugs and power tools. However, we have learned that there are at least 43 other uses for WD-40. I am certain that many of you have heard of this list before, but we will highlight 18 of these that would be helpful in and around the home. WD-40:
1. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots
2. Gives floors that ‘just waxed’ sheen without making it slippery
3. Protects silver from tarnishing
4. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks
5. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill
6. Keeps ceramic/terracotta garden pots from oxidizing
7. Removes tomato stains from clothing
8. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors
9. Lubricates noisy door hinges on doors in the home and vehicles
10. Removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor
11. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open
12. Removes splattered grease on the stove
13. Keeps the bathroom mirror from fogging
14. Removes crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and then wipe with a clean cloth
15. If one should wash clothing with lipstick in a pocket and it comes off on the clothes, saturate the spots and rewash- the lipstick stains disappear.
16. It cleans a stove top shinier than it has ever been.
17. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly
18. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch
I know that there are all kinds of products that you can buy for cleaning various parts and places in your home; however, the purpose of sharing about WD-40 was to make you aware of the multiple uses of this product.
Ken East, one of the original founders, said that there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. Would you believe that the basic ingredient for WD-40 is fish oil. As you look at the wide variety of uses, it sounds almost magical. Tell us how you will use WD-40 for cleaning and revitalizing your home for your Spring cleaning.
1. Hi Betty,
Thanks for sharing all these great ideas for WD-40. It truly is magical. I use it to remove the sticky stuff from price tags on artwork or mirrors. KH
by Kate Hart — 3/14/08 at 5:24 pm #
2. I did not realize WD-40 had so many great uses…I use it all the time for squeeky doors & eve my gardening toolls, but will now be using to clean mirrors, shower glass, my stove top, silver and many other ideas you have shared !!!!
Thank You so much for sharing !!!!
by vicki [...] — 3/15/08 at 12:20 am #
3. Hi Kate,
It is so great to have you aboard! You have wonderful decorating skills that will be very helpful to all of us.
Now, in reference to the WD-40. It has proven to be principal in my home. I haven’t used it to remove the sticky glue like substance from price tags, but I will. I always go bonkers trying to remove those sticky tags from mirrors or other glass. Thanks for reminding me. There are still 24 other uses that are not included.
Thank you so much!
by Betty — 3/15/08 at 7:09 pm #
4. Hi Vicki,
I am so glad that you were able to learn of some other ways that you can use your WD-40. It’s always good to know that we can use products in a number of ways, save money and see improvements that we want. The best part about it is that you already have it in your home and now it can serve muliple purposes. Let us know how you make out! If you come up with some other uses, let us know.
Good luck!
by Betty — 3/15/08 at 7:21 pm #
5. WD-40 also works great removing knots and tangles from my horses mane and tail without damaging their hair. It works great especially when you do not have an indoor facility to bathe them in the winter.
by Debbie — 3/16/08 at 3:04 pm #
6. I always carry a travel size can when on trips because it is the best shoe polish around. Since it’s clear, doesn’t matter what color shoes you have(as long as leather, vinyl, plastic) they clean up and removes scuffs. Great for handbags too. I have also used it on the bottom of plastic sleds to make them go faster and on snow shovels so the snow wet snow doesn’t stick. Doesn’t hurt the environment, so it safe to use anywhere.
by Barbara — 3/16/08 at 6:09 pm #
7. Hi Betty,
I knew of some of the things that WD 40 could work on. You have opened my eyes to many other things that I can use it for that I have had problems with.
I will also spread the word to other friends and family.
Thank you!
by Priscilla — 3/16/08 at 9:43 pm #
8. Hi Debbie,
That is absolutely awesome! Who would think of detangling manes and the tail of a horse with WD-40 - without damaging the hair. That’s amazing and I’ll bet it stays soft and much smoother for a longer time. Thank you for sharing that information. Let us know if you find other uses for it that we don’t have listed. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sorry that I couldn’t respond to you and the others sooner, but my post was out of commission.
by Betty — 3/19/08 at 9:10 am #
9. Hi Barbara,
I love the idea of taking a small size of WD-40 in your travel bag. Just to know that it’s great for polishing any kind or color of shoes and handbags. Thanks loads! That’s great information, because I travel often and need anykind of helping agent that I can get (smile). It’s also great for people to know that you use it on sleds and shovels. My shovel had gotten a little rust on it, now I know what we can do to get rid of that.
I have also been made aware that when traveling and your jewelry gets tangled, WD-40 is good a detangling jewelry. Oh-h-h-h the magic of WD-40.
If you know of any other uses or discover any other uses, let us know.
by Betty — 3/19/08 at 9:21 am #
10. Hi Priscila,
I’m so glad that this information was helpful to you. Yes! Share the word and let others know the magnitude of how many ways they can use WD-40. Just think of how much money you save, because you don’t have to spend as much money to buy the thousands of products we buy to make our homes look cleaner, nicer and better.
Thanks loads for sharing! Let us know what uses you discover- now that you know that the basic ingredient in it is fish oil.
by Betty — 3/19/08 at 9:27 am #
11. Another WD-40 use I’ve just discovered…removes oil-based paint from your skin when you don’t have mineral spirits/turpentine. When we started buying stuff for our new part-time second home in AZ, WD-40 was on my list of things needed! When the soap compartments of the dishwasher were not opening properly during the cycle, we tried a little WD-40 on them and they’ve been opening fine since. Never underestimate the amazing ability of this product.
by Sandra — 3/27/08 at 8:53 pm #
12. Hi Sandra,
It’s great to know that it can remove oil- based paint from your skin. It is amazing how one little can of rust preventive solvent has proven to be a main keeper all over the home. I was having problems with closing my new windows and I used a little WD-40 and now the windows glide and close beautifully. So, now I know to use it on my dishwasher if I have a problem with the soap compartment.
Thank you so much for sharing! I know that a lot of bloggers and those who are merely looking at these blogs will gain a lot from what you shared. Let us know what other discoveries you make (smile).
by Betty — 3/28/08 at 4:12 pm #
13. The main ingredient in WD-40 is Stoddard Solvent (a petroleum-based product), not fish oil. Check out the following links:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/wd-40.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40
This doesn’t negate its many wonderful uses, but I’d be careful using it around food, etc.
by Maria — 3/29/08 at 10:25 am #
14. Hi Maria,
Thank you so much for your information. According to information that I received that was suppose to have come from Ken East, one of the original founders, it must have started off with the major component being fish oil. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I have checked the websites that you have suggested, and you are right. Continue to share with us.
You are right again, I would not have it around food.
Have great days!
by Betty — 3/29/08 at 6:43 pm #
15. I am recently a widow and my husband did everything. I would always help a little. But now , Ilearned there are so many things I can do by myself and your list of WD-40 use is really going to help me. Thanks for the information.
by Lolia — 4/8/08 at 3:01 pm #
16. Hi Lolia,
I am sorry to hear about the recent loss of your husband. You sound like a very strong woman. I am so pleased that you can see that you know that you will and must go on and you will develop ways and means to do what is required to be successful. It is amazing how WD-40 has become such a significant part of all of our lives. I was rushing to a meeting the other day and noticed that my shoes needed to be shined. I needed immediate polish and I remembered what one of the bloggers had said and I grabbed the WD-40 and sprayed my shoes. They looked fabulous all day and the following days. It’s always good to get pertinent information!
Congratulations on your new found independence!!! Let us hear from you again soon.
by Betty — 4/9/08 at 2:46 pm #
17. I just have to share this with you my great dane recently stepped in tar and then got into the backseat of my car. from the car to the mud room and then into the house carpets and furniture. I went for help online, friends etc tried everything citrus based cleaners etc… I always have WD40 to stop squeeks. It actually fell out of the closet and when I picked it up It said works on tar. There were 2 small spots in th living room rug I sprayed and they disappeared. believe it . out to the car i went 2 days after trying to remove it and sprayed an rubbed it. it worked no yellow residual, no spots looks as good a new .
by kass — 4/25/08 at 9:12 am #
18. Hi,
I’ve been reading how good WD40 is to clean shower glass. However, it wasn’t mentioned how you do this. We sprayed it on wet glass, but were just left with a white oily mess. What is the correct way of doing this please?
Tineke
by Tineke — 4/27/08 at 7:23 am #
19. A friend of mine uses it for arthritis stiffness. He just massages it on his hands, knees, shoulders, etc. According to him, it is better than anything on the market for arthritis. I must confess that I am a bit skeptical and haven’t tried it myself, but it might just be the thing to help me in the morning when stiffness in my back has me all hunched over. Has anyone else heard of it being used in that manner?
by Hannah — 4/27/08 at 8:43 pm #
20. Don’t know if anyone has mentioned it or not, but WD40 is the best for cleaning stainless steel appliances! Just spray on and polish with a clean, soft cloth. Works much better than other products I have tried.
by Terry — 4/28/08 at 1:03 pm #
21. Hi Kass,
That’s fabulous information! I would never have thought in terms of using it on carpet or rugs. Did you have to go over it with any kind of lubricant to get the oil out of the carpet? This is such great information. I know that a lot of people will be quite excited about this new found way of using WD-40. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this great information. If you have the time, please share with us and let us know if you had to go over it to get the oil out of the carpet.
by Betty — 4/28/08 at 8:54 pm #
22. Hi Tineke,
Great question! I tend to wash the shower door and dry it. Then I lightly spray the shower door with the WD-40. I take a clean cloth and wipe the WD-40 off of the door. As a result, what you do is to provide a protective sheild on the glass door. Once I have used the shower, it is easy to wipe it with a towel after that whenever it is used. It prevents corrosive build up from hard water deposits. You are able to easily take the grime out of the door track.
Good luck! Let me know how you make out.
by Betty — 4/28/08 at 9:15 pm #
23. Hi Hannah,
There was a woman who said that she used it on her hip. She said that it was much better then the medication that the doctor prescribed for her. I have no idea if it works in that manner, but I have heard that it does. If you try it and it works, let me know. It is amazing how this has become such a magical product in the home and now, even the medicine cabinet. (smile) Let me know what happens. I would love to know the results.
I hope that your back gets better. I hope the best for you!!!
by Betty — 4/28/08 at 9:20 pm #
24. Hi Terry,
You’re right! It’s great! But you must keep it away from open flames. It’s so good to be reminded of the value of this product. Thank you for taking the time to share. We appreciate you!
by Betty — 4/28/08 at 9:23 pm #