Tuesday Tips: 2000 Uses for WD-40

When our sliding glass door gets stuck, my husband sprays the track with WD-40, a great lubricant. But there are 2,000 money-saving uses for WD-40, including cleaning piano keys, removing crayon from walls, lifting off baked-on cookie batter from baking tins and unsticking old tape.

A List of 2000 Uses is posted on the official WD-40 website.

The company compiled the list based on tips from consumers. These are not company-tested suggestions but ideas from mom-and-pop users. The full list is a downloadable Acrobat file of 9 pages.

Here is a partial listing:

“HOME/GARDEN
• Use to loosen rusty nuts and screws, clean garden tools
• Cleans piano keys
• Keeps wicker chairs from squeaking
• Lubricates small rolling toys
• Keeps garden tools rust-free
• Cleans patio door glide strip
• Removes crayon from clothes dryer (make sure to unplug dryer first)
• Removes scuff marks from ceramic tile floor
• Keeps metal wind chimes rust-free
• Removes crayon from walls
• Helps join plastic shelving to make disassembly easier
• Removes water spots from mirrors

• Lubricates hinge on pruning shears
• Lubricates screws on lawn furniture
• Lubricates hydraulic rams on slideout of 5th wheel
• Cleans fiberglass bathtubs
• Cleans and prevents rust on oil tank exterior
• Cleans and protects bed of wheelbarrows
• Prevents rust on swamp cooler nuts
• Removes tea stains from countertops
• Removes crayon from wallpaper
• Lubricates gate locks
• Removes crayon from carpet
• Removes crayon from compressed wood furniture
• Loosens rusty parts on lawnmower
• Lubricates sticky drawers

• Removes tape marks from the wall where posters hung
• Shines leaves of artificial houseplants
• Keeps snow from sticking to shovel
• Removes coffee stains on floor tiles
• Keeps hose ends from corroding
• Lubricates moving parts on playground equipment
• Removes crayon from plastic
• Removes decals from bathtubs
• Removes old cellophane tape
• Removes crayon from shoes
• Cleans ashtrays

• Removes crayon from toys
• Cleans and protects underside of cast iron skillets
• Removes ink from carpet
• Keeps garden plant cages bright and rust free
• Cleans lawnmower blades
• Cleans and protects antique kitchen tools
• Prevents mildew growth on fountain
• Removes marks from floors left by chair feet
• Removes crayon from chalk boards
• Eliminates static on volume and tuning control knobs
• Cleans candle soot
• Removes ink from blue jeans

• Cleans residue on luggage handles
• Cleans old muffin tins
• Cleans and protects pruning shears
• Cleans gold-plated faucets
• Removes petroleum stains from clothing
• Keeps sewing needles from rusting
• Removes Kool-Aid stains from carpet and fabric
• Removes gunk from plastic dish-drainer
• Lubricates kitchen sink handheld spray nozzle
• Removes rust from curtain rods
• Removes adhesive from precious china

• Cleans bottoms of pots and pans
• Helps prevent rust on hide-a-key containers
• Cleans vinyl garage doors
• Cleans doggie doo from tennis shoes
• Removes gunk when replacing old faucets
• Cleans and protects medicine door latches
• Protects wrought iron from rust
• Removes tomato stains from clothes
• Prevents rust from forming on washing machines
• Keeps metal wire screens rust free

• Removes blue baked-on acrylic cover shields from acrylic windows
• Preventative maintenance on cooking burner
• Removes coffee stains from leather
• Protects electric pump on furnace
• Removes ink stains from leather
• Prevents corrosion on copper parts of fountain
• Lubricates folding parts of ironing board
• Removes rust from chair feet
• Cleans and polishes gold and brass lamps

• Removes adhesive price tag from shoe bottoms
• Keeps trigger on glue gun from sticking
• Cleans bed frame
• Protects shower heads from rust
• Protects silver from blackening
• Lubricates external pivots on lawnmowers
• Keeps blades from rusting on garden plow
• Cleans black streaks from hardwood floors

• Protects inner machinery in toilet against corrosion
• Removes paint from tile flooring
• Protects hand trowels from corrosion
• Cleans and protects pitchforks
• Lubricates screen channels upon installation of rubber bead
• Removes rust stains from bathroom tubs
• Cleans metal figurines

• Shines shower doors
• Protects patio door from sun damage
• Cleans mildew from refrigerator gasket
• Helps clean rust from wire shelves
• Cleans newspaper ink from tables
• Removes rust stains from floor after mopping
• Cleans and protects TV antenna
• Removes gum from wallpaper

• Penetrates and frees stuck toilet shutoff valve
• Spray on rototiller blades to prevent rust during off-season
• Cleans melted vacuum belt from carpeting
• Removes crayon from television screen
• Lubricates zippers on lawn mower grass catcher bags
• Cleans gunk from chain saws
• Prevents rust on metal patio chairs
• Removes crayon marks from glass

• Camouflages scratches in cultured marble
• Removes berry stains from patio furniture
• Removes gum stuck to concrete
• Cleans heavy dirt from shovels
• Cleans rust from metal exterior of speakers
• Coat outside pipes during winter to help prevent freezing damage or
pipe bursts

• Removes glue deposits from linoleum
• Lubricates hinges on antique smoking stand
• Removes masking tape residue from linoleum
• Cleans gunk built up on doorknobs
• Removes stickers from credit cards
• Cleans smoke stains
• Removes lipstick from carpet
• Lubricates metal latches on chain link fences
• Removes melted scotch tape from dining room table
• Removes stains from coffee cups
• Removes crayon from screen doors

• Removes crayon from plastic tables
• Removes oil stains from nylon
• Spray on hula hoe swivels to clean & prevent corrosion
• Lubricates air holes before inserting hand air pump nozzle onto tires
• Keeps lawnmower wheels turning smoothly
• Keeps plant supports from rusting
• Removes gum from linoleum floor

• Removes strawberry stains from countertops
• Removes tar from shovels
• Keeps plant hangers from rusting
• Removes mascara from tile floors
• Erases marks caused by chair backs on running boards of wall
• Spray on silverware during unused periods to prevent tarnishing
• Clean black marks from shoes off the floor
• Removes labels from medicine bottles
• Removes wax from shoes

• Cleans chair wheels
• Cleans window sills
• Protects snow shovels from the effects of salt
• Cleans and protects washer lid
• Prevents corrosion on outdoor light fixtures
• Removes felt pen marks from floor
• Loosens valve stems on lawnmower tires
• Removes gum from aluminum siding

• Removes wax from vinyl surfaces
• Lubricates mixer gears
• Removes rollerblade marks from kitchen floor
• Adds moisture to and preserves ivory and bone items
• Keeps lawn mower carburetors free of gunk
• Removes Velcro stickers
• Polishes away scratches on countertops
• Lubricates vacuum cleaner roller brush

• Cleans gunk from base of toilet bowl
• Lubricates runners on porch glider
• Cleans roofing tar off circular saw blades
• Protects exposed metal parts on snow blowers
• Removes sticker residue from clothes
• Removes gum from flagpoles
• Keeps clay from sticking to shovels
• Prevents rake from rusting
• Removes laundry detergent stain from washer
• Polishes splash guards

• Cleans crayon off of rock walls
• Lubricates ball valve handle on sprinkler system
• Lubricates return springs on riding lawnmowers
• Keeps kitty-doo from sticking to electric cat-box rakes
• Removes dried toothpaste stains
• Removes silly putty from furniture
• Cleans lime stains from toilet bowls

• Spray on bottom 6 inches of wooden patio table to prevent mildew build up
• Removes glue from refrigerator
• Helps clean showers
• Cleans build up on hedge trimmers
• Lubricates gardening shears
• Cleans dog hair from sliding door rollers
• Removes marks-a-lot ink from most items
• Removes rust from cookie tins
• Keeps flower pots from sticking together when stacked in storage
• Removes gum from dryer lint screen
• Cleans tar from rubber water hoses

• Removes scuff marks from lawn furniture
• Removes rust stains from tile floors
• Lubricates lever on razor scraper
• Removes lipstick from fabric
• Cleans and lubricates the rubber surrounds on stereo sub woofers
• Spray down drain throat to remove scum
• Removes crayon from place mats

• Removes stubborn body oils and shampoo residue from bath mats
• Spray around bottom of garbage cans to prevent animals from getting in
• Removes oxidation from aluminum window frames
• Polishes and protects brass candlesticks
• Cleans music racks
• Cleans peanut butter from shoestrings
• Cleans and protects blades of pruning shears
• Cleans wood planter bed
• Cleans scum from rubber gloves

• Polishes silver jewelry
• Lubricates freezer doors
• Removes grape juice stains
• Cleans marks on shelves made by coat hangers
• Shines aluminum sinks
• Shines wheelbarrow tires
• Cleans lock nuts around gate latches

• Camouflages scratches in linoleum
• Camouflages scratches in ceramic tile
• Keeps clay from sticking to hoes
• Keeps clay from sticking to rakes
• Prevents rust form forming on blender blades during storage
• Spray on trash can lids to keep messes from sticking
• Protects outside of cast iron brake drums on riding lawnmower
• Removes grime from grout on bathroom floor
• Cleans dust from artificial flowers

• Removes starch residue from sole plate on iron
• Cleans vacuum cleaner dials
• Removes fingerprints from bay windows
• Cleans sole plate on iron
• Helps remove flood water marks from cedar paneling
• Shines mother-of-pearl accessories
• Cleans oil burner parts

• Removes marking pen from glass objects
• Cleans outdoor electrical relay contacts
• Lubricates moving parts of vacuum motor
• Shines outdoor sculptures
• Helps remove caked-on dirt and grime from furniture rails
• Removes calcium deposits from dehumidifier
• Removes nail polish from hardwood floors
• Helps remove built up mineral deposits from freezer grid
• Removes caked-on food from bottom of cookie sheets”


Company disclaimer:
"The uses of WD-40 described on this website were provided to WD-40 Company by end-users of the product, and do
not constitute recommendations or suggestions for use of WD-40 by WD-40 Company. These uses have not been tested by WD-40 Company.

Consumers should exercise common sense whenever using WD-40. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the WD-40 packaging."