10 Surprising Household Uses For WD-40

Not only is WD-40 one of the most recognizable brands at the hardware store — it’s also one of the most versatile, acting as a lubricant, rust preventer, and moisture displacer. Besides these uses, however, WD-40 also comes in handy in several unlikely situations. Here are 10 surprising household uses for WD-40.

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Remove Chewing Gum

Getting chewing gum stuck on the bottom of your shoe or in your hair is incredibly annoying. Thankfully, WD-40’s lubricating ability makes removing the sticky mass a breeze. Spray the sole of your shoe with WD-40 and let sit for several seconds before wiping away the gum’s sticky residue. The same logic applies to your hair, but be extra careful as you don’t want to accidentally get WD-40 in your eyes.

Clean Bird Droppings Off Your Car

You often can't avoid getting bird waste on your car, especially if you live around many trees. That’s where WD-40 comes to the rescue. Spray the dried gunk with WD-40, let it sit for 60 seconds, then wipe it off, leaving the car looking as good as new. Consider keeping a small can of WD-40 in your glove compartment for easy clean-up on the go.

Separate Stuck LEGO Bricks

Being a parent comes with a unique set of challenges, and one of them is getting those pesky LEGO bricks unstuck from each other. If you have two bricks that won’t budge, spray the pieces with WD-40 and wait several seconds before easily pulling them apart.

Break-in Baseball Gloves

One of the best methods to break in a new baseball glove involves WD-40. Spray the glove with the product, place a baseball in the palm, fold the glove sideways, and then secure it with a rubber band overnight. The oils from the WD-40 will help loosen stiff leather and get the mitt ready for play.

Remove Crayon Markings

Stubborn crayon drawings on your walls can be easily removed with WD-40. Spray the marks before letting the WD-40 sit for several minutes. The colorful crayon marks will wipe off, restoring the wall to its pristine condition.

Revive Patio Furniture

Rather than buying a new patio furniture set, you can restore that grimy old set with WD-40. Spray the product onto a cloth and wipe the dirt off the furniture. While it may take a little elbow grease to get the job done, it’ll be well worth it when your furniture looks as good as new.

Slide Off Tight Jewelry

Tight jewelry can quickly go from being uncomfortable to a real problem. With a quick spray of WD-40, you can sufficiently lubricate fingers and wrists, allowing stuck jewelry to slide off without hurting you or ruining the accessory.

Wipe Away Bathroom Grime

WD-40 is a jack-of-all-trades for cleaning the bathroom without being as harsh as many other chemical bathroom cleaners. Spray the product on soap scum, dirty grout, or anywhere else in the bathroom that needs cleaning. After letting it sit for a few minutes, wipe away the dirt, leaving the bathroom sparkling clean.

Waterproof Your Shoes

If it’s raining or snowing and you don’t have a pair of waterproof shoes, simply spray your leather shoes with WD-40. The coating will act as a waterproof barrier that prevents any moisture from seeping in. However, only spray dark-colored leather, as lighter-colored shoes will stain.

Remove Decals and Stickers

WD-40 is the perfect tool for removing decals without relying on a sharp razor blade, from weathered bumper stickers to stubborn wall decorations. Spray the stuck decal and wait a few minutes before easily wiping away the residue with a paper towel.

_{Featured Image Credit: Siarhei Khaletski/ iStock}