15 Genius Ways WD40 Can Make Your Life Easier—Plus the One Thing You Should Never Use it For

Defogging headlights is the one that most surprised — and delighted! — us

By Jess Catcher and Shay Trotter September 27, 2019

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Most of us already have a can of WD40 sitting around our house. It’s the first thing we grab when faced with an annoyingly squeaky door, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this multi-use product. You’d be surprised at how many ways the iconic blue and yellow can will help you around the house. making your life easier without spending a lot of time or money.

What is WD40?

Invented in 1953 as a rust-prevention solvent, the popular product is most often used on metal items because of its lubricating capabilities. But its ability to tackle common problems doesn’t stop there!

“The versatile solution serves as a multi-purpose spray, allowing you to lubricate objects, eliminate rust on tools and even remove clothing stains,” shares Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids.

Are there Wd40 medical uses?

Since Wd40 (Buy from Amazon, $15.21) contains petroleum distillates, there have been tales of those with arthritis spraying the lubricant onto their stiff, achy joints to loosen them up. However, the company that makes WD40 does not recommend the product for medical purposes and cautions against its use for arthritis pain relief.

Here, cleaning pros share 15 must-know tricks including WD40 uses for cars, stainless steel, jewelry and more!

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Get gum off shoes

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Using WD40 on gum stuck to shoes or clothing can work just as well as it does for adhesives. The oil works to break down the gum so you can get rid of it without ruining the item. You can even try it on hair when little ones in your life end up with gum stuck in their strands.
Remove stubborn stickers

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If you don't have a hairdryer handy à la Martha Stewart's trick for getting stubborn sticky labels off your glassware, your trusty can of WD40 will get the job done. Just a few spritzes along stuck stickers, tape—even bumper stickers on your car)—will loosen things up so you can lift the adhesive without leaving any gunk behind.
Prepare your car for winter

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Before a big winter freeze hits, you can wipe down your car's windshield with WD40 to make it easier to scrape off any frost before driving. Its lubricant and water-displacement (aha!) aspects will keep any flakes from freezing completely onto the surface. You can also spray it along the rubber inserts of your car doors to keep those from potentially freezing shut.
Revive old scissors

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It says right on the can that it "loosens rusty parts," but most of us associate that with things like door hinges and tools you find in the garage. For crafters who get a lot of use out of their favorite pair of scissors, feeling them start to snag and stick can be devastating—but a couple drops of WD40 can lubricate the metal with ease. Also smart: “Spray WD40 on the moving parts of your garden tools, such as shears, pruners and loppers, to keep them operating smoothly,” says Cohoon.
Make stainless steal shine

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The stainless steel appliances in your kitchen are a dream—but the surfaces can quickly look grimy and dull. Specialty cleaners can be costly, so reach for the WD40 in your house! “It’s perfect for polishing your stainless-steel appliances to give them that extra shine,” assures Cohoon. To do: Just spray it only onto a soft cloth and buff the surface of the appliance, making sure to buff with the grain. Then use a separate dry cloth for final polishing. Water marks, fingerprints and any marks will disappear in a flash!
Keep wasps away

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Though many people welcome bees as pollinators in their garden, wasps are one pest you probably want to send packing! No need to run out for specialty sprays or hire an exterminator. Spray WD40 in potential nesting areas, such as eaves, corners and outdoor structures,” advises Prerna Jain, cleaning specialist and founder of Australian company Ministry Of Cleaning.. “The wasps are repelled by the smell, making them less likely to build their nests in those areas. You can also take advantage of WD40’s strong smell to deter a number of common, unwanted pests. “Spray a small amount of it around door frames, windows and other potential entry points to discourage insects from entering your home or shed,” adds Cohoon.
Erase crayon on walls

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If the little artist in your life decided to use your wall as a canvas, it’s quite easy to get the crayon residue off with WD40, says Jain. To do: “Spray a small amount onto the marks and let it sit for a few minutes,” she explains. “Then, use a clean cloth or sponge to gently wipe away the crayon residue.” The Wd40 will dissolve the waxy marks for easy removal. “This trick can be a lifesaver for parents or anyone dealing with creative wall art!” she adds.
Keep your shower door clean

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As it says on the can, WD40 is great at driving away moisture that can build up on shower doors and create icky mold, mildew, or water stains. After using it to wipe down the door, the remnants of the oil can also help protect it—meaning you won't have to clean it as often.
Detangle jewelry chains

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Storing long necklaces often ends up in a tangled mess of metal—especially if they're left long enough to get a little rusty. As we all know, WD40 can help loosen the rust and make the process of detangling smoother. Plus, it can restore shine to any silver chains while you work at freeing them from a snag!
Clean oil-based clothing stains

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Eek! Whether you’ve accidentally dropped a bit of an oil-based salad dressing on your blouse or got a touch of moisturizer on your towel that won’t come out, WD40 can help! “Place a cloth over the stain, spray WD40 on it, and gently dab until the stain lifts,” says Cohoon. “Then, dab with a clean cloth and apply gentle detergent before washing.” The solvents break down oil molecules from fabric so the stain comes out in the wash.
Loosen stuck rings

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It can be frustrating when need to take off a ring from your finger and the piece of jewelry just won’t budge. To the rescue: WD40! “Lightly spray the affected area, and the lubricating properties of WD-0 will make it easier to slide off the ring without any discomfort,” shares Jain. Those same lubricating properties can come in handy with a common wardrobe malfunction, as well! “Use WD40 to loosen the zipper on your favorite jackets, jeans or shoes,” adds cleaning expert Nadia Roper, owner of a 360Clean franchise business in Charleston, South Carolina.
De-fog headlights

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“Over time, headlights can become cloudy and reduce visibility, but WD40 can help restore clarity,” says Jain. To make them look like new again, spray a generous amount onto a soft cloth and rub it on your car’s headlight in a circular motion. “This can help remove oxidation and bring back the light's original brightness.”
Add shine to artificial plants

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Faux greenery is a great way to brighten your home when you have kids, pets or a lack of a green thumb. But lately your plants are looking a bit dingy. “WD40 can help bring a shine to artificial plants,” shares Roper. Spray it onto the leaves and use a cloth to wipe off an excess. This will remove the dust and add a nice glossy look.
Separate stuck glasses

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While prepping for your dinner party, you realize that two of your stacked glasses won’t pull apart! “WD40’s lubricating properties will loosen the fragile glassware without cracking it," says Cohoon. She suggests applying it to the rims and crevices of the glasses, then letting it sit for a few minutes so it can work its way between the two. The slick texture will then make it easy to gently pull and twist and separate the glasses.
Degrease hands

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Your garage looks spotless after an afternoon of cleaning. The only problem? You’re left with a layer of grease on your hands. Simply work the WD40 into your hands before washing them with soap and water as usual, says Cohoon. Solvents will dissolve the grease on skin that soap alone wouldn’t be able to eliminate.