What Is WD-40?
You might be curious what WD-40 actually is.
We were, too!
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
The name stands forwater displacement40.
Forty being the number of tries it took to get the formula exactly right.
Most commonly, its used for loosening up corroded, rusted, or conjoined items.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
WD-40 makes the job painless.
Spray WD-40 directly onto the wad of gum and let it soak for 30 seconds or so.
It should begin to peel off, but if you still have some gum left, repeat the process.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Just spray WD-40 directly onto the affected area.
Let it set for 30 or so seconds, and it should come off in nearly one wipe.
If there are any leftover spots, rub in small circles until its completely gone.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
If it’s still not coming off, apply a little more WD-40 and begin again.
Give your board a quick rinse with warm soapy water and be sure to dry it quickly after.
Spray a generous amount of the WD-40 directly onto your jewelry.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Massage the WD-40 onto the chains and knots and let it sit for a few seconds.
Youll notice that knots will start undoing themselves and chains will easily slip in and out of each other.
Before you know it, youll have your jewelry back in a wearable state.
Just be sure to give your pieces a thorough wash with hot soapy water to get the lubricant off.
Unsticking Jammed Cups
Dont risk shattered glass and a trip to the ER.
Your trusty bottle of WD-40 can unstick those cups youve been avoiding in the back of your cupboard.
Start by covering your surface with newspaper.
Gently start twisting them back and forth.
If theyre not budging, spritz a few more sprays and repeat the twisting.
In a matter of seconds, the glasses should come apart.
Be sure to clean thoroughly with soap and hot water to remove the lubricant.
Work the lubricant into the squeaky parts and remove any excess with a soft rag.
WD-40 can dissolve and lubricatesticker residue.
Then rub away the residue, and wipe the spot dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Remove any remaining WD-40 residue and stubborn adhesives with soapy water and a cleaning cloth.
After treating the stain, wash in the warmest water temperature per the care label instructions.
Air dry the garment and check to see if the stain is gone before laundering as usual.
Wipe the area clean with a dry microfiber cloth and wash off any remaining residue with soapy water.
For tree sap on tools, spray with WD-40 and allow to sit a few minutes if needed.
Coat your shovel with WD-40 to help snow slide off easily between lifting and tossing.
Unstick Piano Keys
You cant tickle the ivories if your piano keys are stuck.
Spritz the sides of the stuck keys with WD-40s flexible straw applicator.
Spray tough stains and wipe away with a clean rag.
Allow the treatment to sit for 30 seconds.
Work a damp sponge into the treated area to loosen the stain.
Take a dry, clean rag to absorb any residue and finish cleaning the stain.
The oils in WD-40 will help prevent the handles from drying out and splintering.
Finish by wiping away any residue that remains.
Spray WD-40 on a soft cloth and work it intoclean leather shoesor boots.
Clean the soles of your shoes with soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
Apply WD-40 around the ring area, which should loosen and release the jewerly from your finger.
Loosen a Zipper
Get a stubbornmetal zippermoving again.
Test in an inconspicuous spot first to check that that it doesn’t discolor your vinyl.
Apply WD-40 to the oil stain, either by spraying it directly or with a cotton ball.
Cover the treated area with a thick layer of baking soda, which absorbs oil out of clothes.
Keep repeating this step until your baking soda looks clean and clump-free.
After its been washed, check to see if the stain is removed.
Repeat the steps if the oil stains remain.
Break-in a New Baseball Mitt
Improve your game by breaking in a stiff, new baseball mitt.
Remove Crayon Stains
WD-40 canloosen waxy crayon residuefrom fabrics.
To remove the stain, use a dull knife to scrape off any extra crayon from the fabric.
Allow the WD-40 to sit for 5 minutes, then use the knife to lift any loosened crayon solids.
Rinse the item in cool water and check to see if the stain is gone.
Just apply after the brushes are washed and the bristles are dry.
Prevent Rust on Nails
Have your nails ready to go and rust-free before your next DIY project.
The lubricant makes any paint drips easy to remove.
After removing any excess oil, spray the stain with WD-40.
Spray difficult hardware with WD-40 and allow to sit for 15 to 30 minutes before loosening with tools.
Always test a hidden spot with WD-40 before using it.
WD-40 is a rust inhibitor, lubricant, penetrant, and water displacer.
The WD-40 formula was originally invented as a degreaser and rust-proofing agent for the aerospace industry.
