13 Brilliant Ways to Use WD-40 (That Have Nothing to Do with Squeaky Hinges)
If you’ve got a can of WD-40 hiding in the garage, you’re sitting on a goldmine of household magic. Most folks reach for it when a door creaks or a bolt gets stuck, but this little blue and yellow can is basically a fixer-of-all-the-things. From cleaning to unsticking to even deterring pests—WD-40 does way more than you think.
So grab that can and let’s talk about some clever (and slightly unexpected) ways to put it to work around the house.
1. Remove Crayon from Walls
If you’ve got tiny artists at home, chances are your walls have been “decorated.” Spray a little WD-40 on the crayon masterpiece and wipe it clean with a cloth. Just test a small area first if your paint is delicate!
2. Unstick Stubborn Zippers
Got a jacket zipper that refuses to budge? Lightly spray WD-40 on a cotton swab and run it along the zipper teeth. It’ll glide like new without snagging your patience.
3. Clean Up Sticky Residue
Labels, price tags, sticker goo—WD-40 eats that stuff for breakfast. Spray a little, wait a few seconds, and wipe away. No scrubbing or scraping required.
4. Keep Garden Tools Rust-Free
Coat your metal tools with a light spray before storing them, especially in humid areas. It helps prevent rust and keeps everything in top shape for the next planting day.
5. Repel Wasps from Eaves and Decks
Here’s one people swear by: spray WD-40 under the eaves of your porch or around the corners of outdoor furniture. Wasps hate it and tend to build their nests elsewhere. Just don’t spray too close to where you’ll be eating.
6. Remove Chewing Gum from Shoes
Stepped in gum? Spray some WD-40 directly on the gum and gently scrape it off with a plastic tool or paper towel. It works on shoes, carpets, even hair in a pinch.
7. Shine Up Stainless Steel
Forget overpriced stainless steel cleaners. WD-40 brings back the shine to your fridge, toaster, and sink. Just spray and buff with a soft cloth—but avoid using it on food-prep surfaces.
8. Get Rid of Scuff Marks
Scuff marks on tile, laminate, or even baseboards disappear with a dab of WD-40. Spray, wipe, and they’re gone like they were never there.
9. Quiet Squeaky Toys or Baby Gear
From strollers to wagons to door hinges on noisy toys, WD-40 helps keep things moving quietly. Use it sparingly and wipe away any excess so little hands stay clean.
10. Remove Lipstick or Ink from Fabric
Yes, it’s true! Lightly spray WD-40 on the stained area, blot with a clean cloth, and wash as usual. It’s great for laundry-day emergencies.
11. Prevent Snow from Sticking to Shovels
Before the next snowstorm, spray your shovel with WD-40. The snow slides right off, which means less sticking, less lifting, and fewer grumbles from whoever got shovel duty.
12. Silence Ceiling Fan Chains
If your ceiling fan chain makes a click-click-click sound that drives you nuts at night, a tiny drop of WD-40 at the top where it enters the motor housing can solve the issue. Just go slow and use a cloth to catch any drips.
13. Loosen Jewelry Clasps
Got a tangled chain or a stubborn clasp? WD-40 can help loosen it up just enough to untangle or open—just be extra careful and clean it well afterward.
WD-40 is like that handy neighbor who knows how to fix everything and always shows up when something’s jammed or broken. From cleaning up messes to preventing new ones, it’s one of those must-have tools that earns its spot in the house, not just the garage.
Have you tried one of these? Got a brilliant WD-40 trick I missed? Share it in the comments—I’m always up for new hacks!
