Here at DIY Life, we love to write about regular household items that can be used in a myriad of different and useful ways (for example, check out
our love affair with vinegar). Few things excite me more than finding a new and unusual use for something I have sitting on my shelf, so you can imagine my delight when I came across the
Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club's 1,997 unofficial uses for WD-40. Many of the tips are simply riffs and repeats of WD-40's basic job, which is, of course, lubricating stuff, but a lot of them were new to me. Here's a quick list of some that I found particularly useful (and/or weird):
#176. Helps clean showers (and makes them four times as slippery, I bet)
#510. Spray on disposable razor blades to make them function longer
#648. Cleans (that's a bit broad, but if it cleans, it CLEANS!)
#778. Unfreezes car doors (I've used it for this before, and it really works)
#814. Shines vinyl on jukeboxes (a relevant use if ever there was one!)
#842. Cleans bedpans (see notes for #814)
#966. Frees up stuck keys on organ (there's nothing worse than a stuck keyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy)
#1021. Rehydrates paintbrush bristles (cool!)
#1067. Loosens (again, a bit broad, but...)
#1094. Stops squeaks on stilts (I think that's my favorite use of them all)
#1247. Removes oil from hands
#1376. Cleans dice (no one wants dirt in their snake eyes)
#1544. Removes algae from canoes
#1555. Helps break in shoe portion on new roller skates
#1729. Removes rust from steam irons
#1780. Keeps missile silo doors swinging freely (:O)
#1809. Shines diamonds (not that I have many lying around)
#1947. Removes duct tape
Do you have any WD-40 tips that aren't already mentioned on this massive list? If so, we'd love to hear them.
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Reader comments (Page 5 of 15)
Spray WD-40 to the base of a light bulb before screwing it in. It goes in much more eadily and improves connectivity.
ReplyWD-40 absolutly removes crayon from walls and wall paper. My son scribbled all over his new wallpaper - I called Crayola and that was the solution they gave me right out of the gate. It works flawlessly.
ReplyFormica kitchen countertops shine when spraying and rubbing WD-40 in. Just remember to open a door/window for ventilation.
ReplyWD-40 is the trademark of a widely used penetrating oil (cleaner, lubricant and anti-corrosive solution) spray. It was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen (then working for the Rocket Chemical Company) to eliminate water and prevent corrosion on electrical circuitry. It also has many household uses.
ReplyWD-40 stands for "Water Displacement, 40th attempt", a name which came from Larsen's laboratory notebook. Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion by displacing water, and arrived at the formula on his 40th try.[1] A common myth is that "WD" stands for "war department".
WD-40 was first used by Convair to protect the outer skin of the Atlas missile from rust and corrosion. The product first became commercially available on store shelves in San Diego in 1958.
WD-40 stands for water deterrent, 40th formula.
ReplyMy father in law told me if you spray it on red ant bites right after they happen, it takes the sting out and they won't itch as much. He was right.
ReplyTAKE A DRINK STRAW FOLD THE END OVER AND TAPE IT THE SIDE OF THE CAN HOLDS THE RED TUBE HANDY
ReplyI used wd-40 on a winter coat that had gotten some grease on it while it was in the trunk of my car....I sprayed the wd-40 on the grease spot & put it in the washer, pulled it out after washing & the spot was gone ! Great pre-treater for laundry !
ReplyI can tell you where not to use WD-40!
ReplyAnound any pilot light, It explodes into flame.
I had a friend use it on his RV near the water heater and he had it flash back into his face.
Hi, I have used wd 40 for most of the above, and it works well, Im going to try it on lures for fishing. I have a problem with my desk top pc, it blows dust all the time, and I cleaned it many times inside out. I have even used a vacume cleaner. Dust gets into my eyes and nose, and I have to shut it down!! Can any one help!! I am disabled and pc is all I have for recreation.. T Y if any one can help!!
ReplyBig catfish love it. A spray on your bait will make it a must have for your tackle box.
ReplyWD-40 also removes motor oil from drive-ways and garage floors
ReplyKEY WORD "FISH OIL"
ReplyWD-40 works wonderfully on your fishing bait or lure. A little spray and it covers up the human scent from your hands/fingers, and the fish really seem to be attracted to it!
ReplySpray on Fire Ant bites, stops stinging and burn.
Replyjohn honan says breathing this can cause cancer,what about all these people that are using it for joint pain,one man 82 years seems too swear by it. please give me more info. i would like to use it for joint pain but am cautious now.
ReplyMy horseshoer told me that an old cowboy he knows uses it to detangle horse manes and tails. We have a lot of horses and not always enough money to buy their "beauty products", so some day I may try it.
ReplyI prefer mine shaken, not stirred.
ReplyI have a miniature horse with a long mane and tail. I spray it on the mane and tail to remove the knots and bits of weeds/straw that he picks up in the pasture. This results in a long, beautiful flowing mane and tail. Have used it for 30 years and never had any problems.
Reply(I wouldn't recommend this, because it has to be bad for the environment, but....) My ex-husband used to take a can along on fishing trips... a couple drops of the water and the fish would come to us!! It really worked!... He said they liked the smell, I think they were attracted to the rainbow effect the wd-40 caused on the water. Either way, since I've become environmentally conscience, I don't recommend this.
ReplyOh, I also use it in the place where my ceiling fan blades meet in the middle of my fan, it makes the dust bunnies up there coalagulate and fall out and my fan runs much better, and I LOVE the smell of wd-40 also... is that sick? lol.