Originally invented in the 1950s to develop a rust-preventing solvent and degreaser for the aerospace industry, WD-40 spray has at least 2,000 practical uses for house-cleaning, gardening, furniture maintenance, farming, and more. Commonly used to repel water and prevent corrosion, WD-40 can also be used to help lubricate stuck objects (like zippers and LEGO parts), make shovels slippier for more efficient use, and even keep pigeons from pooping on your balcony.
Got your own slick uses for WD-40 spray? Share with us by commenting below!
WD-40 who knew?
"Water Displacement #40".
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser 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 finally successful for a formulation, with their fortieth attempt, thus WD-40.
The 'Convair Company' bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
When you read the 'shower door' part, try it.
It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door.
If yours is plastic, it works just as well as on glass.
It's a miracle!
Then try it on your stove-top.
It's now shinier than it's ever been.
You'll be amazed.
WD-40 Uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floor that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps the flies off of Cows, Horses, and other Farm Critters, as well. (Ya gotta love this one!!!)
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.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on both home and vehicles doors.
18. It removes that nasty tar and scuff marks from the kitchen flooring.
It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.
Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Remove those nasty Bug guts that will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gearshift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers...
22. Rids kids rocking chair and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes grease splatters from stove-tops.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, it protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.
Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. It is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray it on the marks and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you spray it inside a wet distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the engine to start.
And we have more...
- Lubricates hinges on pruning shears
- Removes crayon from carpet (be sure to test WD-40 on low visibility area of carpet before using)
- Removes coffee stains from floor tiles (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes marks from floors left by chair feet (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes adhesive price tags from shoe bottoms
- Cleans black streaks from hardwood floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes paint from tile flooring (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes rust stains from floors after mopping (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes mascara from tile floors and mirrors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes felt pen marks from floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes rollerblade marks from kitchen floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes sticker residue from clothes (be sure to test WD-40 on low-visibility area of garment before using)
- Removes permanent ink from most items
- Removes grime from grout on bathroom floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes nail polish from hardwood floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes tile adhesive from new no-wax floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes crayon from inside clothes dryers (make sure to unplug dryer fi rst)
- Removes crayon from walls
- Lubricates screws on lawn furniture
- Removes crayon from wallpaper
- Removes crayon from compressed wood furniture
- Removes crayon from plastic
- Removes crayon from shoes
- Removes crayon from toys
- Removes crayon from chalk boards
- Keeps sewing needles from rusting
- Removes adhesive from precious china
- Helps prevent rust on hide-a-key containers
- Cleans and protects medicine door latches
- Cleans piano keys
- Removes crayon from television screen
- Lubricates zippers on lawn mower grass catcher bags
- Removes crayon marks from glass
- Removes glue deposits from linoleum
- Lubricates hinges on antique smoking stands
- Removes stickers from credit cards
- Removes melted Scotch® tape from dining room table
- Removes crayon from screen doors
- Removes crayon from plastic tables
- Erases marks caused by chair backs on running boards of wall
- Removes labels from medicine bottles
- Removes VELCRO® stickers
- Cleans crayon off of rock walls
- Removes glue from refrigerators
- Removes crayon from place mats
- Cleans and protects blades of pruning shears
- Cleans vacuum cleaner dials
- Removes marking pen from glass objects
- Prevents rust on patio furniture screws
- Lubricates locks on dog kennels
- Prevents medicine cabinets closures from sticking
- Lubricates locks on chains securing propane tank to
- barbecue grills
- Lubricates stuck temperature regulators on refrigerators
- Lubricates hinges on metal filing boxes
- Lubricates luggage zippers
- Lubricates microwave oven doors
- Penetrates and loosens locking levers on windows
- Lubricates pullout handles on luggage
- Lubricates hinges on TV cabinet doors
- Lubricates cork screws
- Frees rusted hinges on fire alarm boxes
- Lubricates antique waffle irons
- Lubricates folding metal stools
- Penetrates and loosens sticky knobs on adjustable chairs
- Loosens screws on toilet seats
- Loosens rusted screws on outdoor barbecues
- Frees locking nuts on lawn mower blades
- Penetrates and loosens stuck screws on bathtub knobs
- Lubricates propane tank hinges
- Frees stuck LEGO® blocks
- Makes dead bolt locks work better
- Lubricates shoe buckles
- Lubricates bird house hinges
- Lubricates hinges on swing doors
- Lubricates piano lid hinges
- Lubricates hinges on refrigerator doors
- Eliminates squeaking from locks
- Lubricates cigarette case hinges
- Lubricates swiveling picture hangers
- Lubricates piano bench hinges
- Keeps zippers on outdoor umbrella covers from sticking
- Lubricates plate holder hinges
- Lubricates air nozzles of balloon pumps
- Lubricates adjuster button on canes
- Lubricates sunshade joints
- Pre-lubricates threads on wood screws
- Removes stickers from crystal
- Removes stubborn temporary tattoos
- Keeps blades from rusting on garden plow
- Keeps garden tools rust-free
- Lubricates landscaping spikes to make it easier to drive into landscape timbers
- Keeps clay from sticking to shovels
- Keeps lawnmower wheels turning smoothly
