This post is sponsored by WD-40 Company. Our favorite $4 miracle can.
When we were first approached by WD-40 about doing a post with them, it seemed like a natural fit. Not because we always have a can handy for those door hinges that won’t stop squeaking, or for conditioning our tools that get quite the workout every week–although those things are all very true. But five years ago, I actually wrote a post here about a pickle I was in when our 2 year old drew on one of our new upholstered chairs with a sharpie and how I used WD-40 to get sharpie out without a trace. I’ve been hooked on using it for more unconventional, surprising things ever since!
In fact, here are TEN surprising ways we use WD-40 Multi-Use Product around our house!
1. Get sharpie out of upholstered furniture. Okay, so I covered this one in the intro–it’s a miracle worker. Just spray it on and dab with a clean cloth. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag. (Before doing so, always try on an obscure area of fabric to make sure it doesn’t discolor or darken its original color.
2. Renew faded plastic outdoor furniture. Think chairs, faded swing set pieces, that old deck box, or even a fading planter! They all look surprisingly new and refreshed with a WD-40 wipe down.
3. Clean oil spots from a driveway. Have you ever had a car, whether your own or a visitor, drip oil on your driveway? It’s no big deal, but it also stares you in the face every time you pull in. Douse it with some WD-40 and it will come right off!
4. Removes glue from carpet. Hopefully you never find yourself in the situation we did when our girls had a hay-day with some mod podge and it got all over our brand new carpet downstairs. But if you do–WD-40, and a lot of counting to 10 to the rescue! (Again, it’s a good idea to test in an obscure area first)
5. Conditions leather. Here’s a little secret, we use WD-40 to condition our big leather chairs in the living room! I love the worn-in leather look, but leather has to be conditioned occasionally to keep it from cracking or tearing and WD-40 is our favorite quick way to do it. We spray it on a clean cloth first and then rub it in. In the first photo below, you can see the right half of the cushion has been conditioned. Makes a huge difference! (Although this use is not supported by WD-40, it works for us and many others!)
6. Removes nail polish from hardwood floors. While acetone or nail polish remover can really damage the finish on your hardwoods, WD-40 will safely remove the polish and your floors will look good as new. (It’s wise to clean with traditional soap afterward so you won’t slip!)
7. Removes gum from shoes, hair and other surfaces. Check, check aaaaanddd check. :/
8. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks. Whether it’s water stains or paint, like our utility sink in the laundry room dons, WD-40 cleans it right off. Also, I have personally seen the employees of Lowes use it on stainless steel appliances! (This use isn’t supported by WD-40, but worked for us.)
9. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. It’s the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It is a miracle! Be sure to clean up any product to avoid slipping!
10. Removes all traces of duct tape or stickiness in general. Chris loves saving old glass bottles to reuse for oils and vinegars or vases and WD-40 is the king of getting the stickiness from left behind labels off. Be sure to wash the item afterward, especially if its for food storage or handling.
So those are the top 10 things WE use it for. Anything we should add to the list from your home?\
I use it to remove labels on containers/jars, etc. & it’s the best, fastest & easiest way that I have found. I make a lot of my own cleaning products & others because I have Psoriasis so my skin is sensitive to a lot of chemicals & things.
It’s $8 now but well worth it for saving time if you up cycle like me!!
Unfortunately I left a ballpoint pen on a teak table & it happened to be a gooey one.
The ink leaked into the wood and I thought the only solution to the problem was resanding the whole top.
BUT I will try WD-40 first.
Thanks for all the hints.
As soon as I read this, I went outside and sprayed some oil spots on our driveway left by my sister’s rental car last time they visited. After a few days and some rain, the spots are totally gone! Thank you!!!!!
I’ve been a fan of WD40 forever so I’ve read all the use lists.
I keep an extra can under my kitchen sink, especially to remove labels and price stickers etc. But I’ve never seen my discovery anywhere…
I had a problem with squirrels traveling along my wood fence and uprooting the plants in the flower boxes on the fence????
I sprayed WD40 along the rail of the fence and the top edges of the flower boxes
Apparently they don’t like the smell (or the taste?) but they stopped doing that????
It doesn’t wash away in one rain (like most critter ridders) but you’ll have to spray again when they get back at it.
Also great on other Stainless steel appliances finger prints and stains and removes stains and restores Composite Granite Sinks. I wonder if it will work on Electric Glass Cooktop burned on stains?
I wouldn’t try it on my stove top, Jean.
Aside from the tip about proximity to food, I’d be afraid of any residual film burning on to the hot areas