WD-40 is a product, originally designed to be a rust-prevention solvent. However, as the years passed by, people found out that it is a multipurpose product that can be helpful for a lot of tasks around the house. In fact, WD-40 probably has hundreds of applications. You can use it for cleaning, maintenance, and even restoration. In this article, we will talk about our favourite uses of WD-40. Keep reading to find out how you can use this amazing solution.
Fun fact: WD-40 made its debut on the consumer market during the late 1950s. The employees that worked in the factory started sneaking cans out to bring them home. They were the ones to find out that the product has a lot more potential and can be used for much more than simply fixing squeaky hinges. This is how the idea to sell the product for household applications came to life. Here are a few useful things that WD-40 is perfect for:
Use WD-40 to protect your leather shoes and boots
Winter is coming and it is important that your winter shoes are protected and waterproof. To do this, grab a soft cloth, pour a bit of WD-40 on it and rub the whole surface of your shoes/boots. Do not forget to rub everything, including the tongue, back, sides, and ankle area if the shoes are high. You can also use WD-40 to quickly remove the annoying salt stains that usually appear once your shoes dry after walking around in the snow. You can do this once in a while during the winter months to keep your shoes safe, protected, and clean. Spray a bit of the product on your leather shoe, then buff it in and wipe it clean with a rag.
WD-40 will help you clean your refrigerator
If during your spring cleaning, you decided to tackle your refrigerator as well, you may need some WD-40. Once you remove all drawers and racks, you will need to rub and scrub the inside of the refrigerator as well. This is usually an easy task but if you have not been regularly cleaning your appliance, there might be some tough to remove, stubborn stains, and spills that will require a lot of time and effort. To spare yourself those, grab your WD-40 and get on with the job. Spray a bit of the product on the stuck-on spills and let it sit for a few minutes. Grab a sponge or a rag and wipe the mess away. Make sure you remove all WD-40 residue before placing all your food back in the refrigerator.
Restore your plastic patio furniture back to being beautiful
If you have a bunch of furniture pieces on your patio that are made of plastic, you will notice that after a few years all the sun and all elements, in general, will have their impact on the looks of your outdoor furniture. If they are coloured, the plastic may lose its shine and become dull and worn out looking. To restore the colour and good look of your plastic furniture, spray a bit of WD-40 on the plastic and rub it with a soft cloth. The colour will pop and your furniture will be fresh and ready for you to enjoy. Do this once or twice a year, during the warm seasons and bring your furniture inside during winter and when it is not used.
Exterminate cockroaches and other insects
If you have a lot of insects around the house – cockroaches in the kitchen, spiders, ants, and other pests, you can easily get rid of them with the help of WD-40. Keep a can of the product near the areas where you notice the insects. When you see a cockroach, spray a bit of WD-40 directly on it. This will instantly kill it. To prevent more insects from coming in, spray along your window sills, door frames, screens, and doorsteps. Make sure you do not inhale any of the WD-40 fumes and do not do this if there are children and babies in the house.
Protect your garden and plants
Animals enjoy digging up the flowers you worked so hard to grow in the garden. However, one thing that animals don’t like is the smell of WD-40. Spray your flower beds evenly to prevent animals from destroying them. You can do this once or twice during the season. You can also spray a bit on the leaves of the plants to prevent insects and other pests from destroying them. Make sure you do not use this method on vegetable gardens or fruit trees.
Last but not least, the original purpose of WD-40
Use it to fix any squeaky hinges on doors, cupboards, or windows. You can also spray it on your tools to prevent them from rusting, and even get rid of sticky residue left behind from stickers.