17 Totally Genius Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With WD-40

Don't fear, WD-40 is here!

Since it first hit the market in 1953, WD-40 has been a staple in toolboxes around the world. We all know it's great at silencing squeaky hinges and purging the grease off bike chains. But that's not all it's good for. Unbeknownst to many, WD-40 has countless applications—both in your home and beyond. So read on to find out all the little-known uses for WD-40 you hadn't even dreamt of trying.

1
Remove labels and stickers from containers

label stuck on cup, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Jenny_Tr

Got a sticker or price tag that simply won't come off a container? Spritz a little WD-40 on it. The solution will help mitigate the glue's adhesive properties, allowing you to peel the paper right off.

2
Prevent snow from sticking to your shovel

man shoveling snow, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Markik

When trying to dig out your car in the winter, there are few things more frustrating than finding more snow sticking to your shovel with every scoop. But if you want to avoid this problem entirely, just spray a little WD-40 on your shovel first. The formula will keep the snow from sticking to your shovel, making it easy to clear your driveway in no time.

3
Remove crayon marks from your walls

child drawing on wall, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/KayaMe

You love your kids' creativity, but not so much when those artistic impulses make their way onto the walls of your home. The good news? A little WD-40 on a cotton cloth can help remove those crayon marks from plaster or drywall. But first, test the WD-40 in an inconspicuous area—and be sure not to use it on either wallpaper or wall decals, as it can cause staining or peeling.

4
Waterproof your shoes

walking in snow, wd40
Shutterstock

Don't want snow making its way into your boots? Give them a light coating of WD-40 before you go out on a wintery day as an easy and inexpensive way of waterproofing them.

5
Unstick stacked glasses

stack of cups, wd40
Shutterstock/Dimitris Leonidas

If you stacked your glasses when they were wet and now find that you can't get them apart, WD-40 can solve that problem in an instant. Simply spray it around the rim of the outer glass, allowing it to seep into the area where the two cups meet. Then, gently slide them apart. You'll want to give them another wash after, though. (And be sure to dry them off this time before stacking!)

6
Open stuck drawers

opening drawer, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Karramba Production

No stuck drawer is a match for a can of WD-40. Using the product's long tube, get the WD-40 as close to the drawer's wheel-and-track mechanism as possible. Spray a bit, and gently roll the drawer until it comes unstuck. And while you're at it, don't miss these 30 Easy Home Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind.

7
Unstick gum from your shoe

gum stuck to shoe, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Africa Studio

There are few experiences more universally annoying than realizing you've stepped in gum on the sidewalk. However, you don't need to resort to tossing those shoes or trying to pick that sticky mess off of them. Spray a little WD-40 directly on the gum, and it will come loose without any additional mess.

8
Untangle chains

tangled jewelry, wd40
Shutterstock/Rosalie.S.Photo

Tossing your favorite necklaces into your jewelry box seems like a convenient way to store them… until it's time to untangle them, that is. Luckily, a little WD-40 can help loosen any chains that are knotted together, making it easy to separate your jewelry without damaging it.

9
Get a stuck ring off your finger

woman taking off ring, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/BEAUTY STUDIO

If that ring is suddenly feeling seriously tight on your finger, you don't grab the bolt cutters. Using a little WD-40 above and below the ring—ensuring that it gets underneath the band as well—can help you slip it off in no time. Just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward, as WD-40 is a potential skin irritant.

10
Unstick glued-together fingers

woman with glue on fingers, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz

If you find your fingers stuck together after using a permanent adhesive, don't scour your medicine cabinet—or head to the ER—for a fix. Turn to your toolbox instead. Spray a bit of WD-40 on the affected area and your fingers should come unstuck in seconds.

11
Open a stuck zipper

Jeans fly WD40 uses
Shutterstock

Find yourself struggling with a stuck zipper? Never fear, WD-40 is here! Spray a little bit of the formula along the zipper's teeth until the pull moves freely again. Clean it up thoroughly afterward to prevent staining on the surrounding fabric.

12
Scrub rust from tools

rusted wrenches, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Michael Dechev

Make any rusted tools look like new again with WD-40. Simply spray the affected area and wipe the rust away.

For more heavily-corroded items, use a scouring pad to get the rust off. Or, if you want to avoid the problem altogether, clean and dry your tools, and then use WD-40 preemptively. That way, the rust won't form to begin with.

13
Unscrew a stuck nut

wrench unscrewing nut from bolt, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Media Whalestock

Need to remove a nut from a bolt but don't want to strip it by yanking it off? Spray WD-40 above and below the stuck nut and gently unscrew it using a wrench.

14
Clean grimy headlights

washing car, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/admin_design

While your average car wash can make most of your vehicle's exterior gleam, it doesn't always do the trick on murky headlights. If you want to get them perfectly clear again in a hurry, spritz a little WD-40 onto a clean cloth and wipe that grime away.

15
Keep locks from sticking

stuck car door lock, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Syda Productions

If your car has manual locks, wintertime can cause some serious problems—namely, leaving you with frozen locks that won't open (particularly when you're trying to get somewhere in a hurry, of course).

The solution? Before the cold weather sets in, spray some WD-40 into your lock and it can prevent it from freezing, keeping your doors easy to operate.

16
Remove dead bugs from your car's exterior

fly on car windshield, wd40 uses
Shutterstock

Does your car become a veritable bug graveyard every summer? You're not alone. Luckily, you can remove what your average hand-wash won't by spraying a little WD-40 on a clean, soft cloth and wiping those eviscerated insects away.

17
Remove oil stains from your garage floor

stained garage floor, wd40 uses
Shutterstock/Love the wind

Want to get rid of those oil stains on your garage floor or driveway? Just grab your bottle of WD-40. After removing as much of the oil as you can with a paper towel or rag, generously coat the affected area with WD-40 and let it stand for up to 10 minutes. Wipe up the WD-40 and the stain should be gone. Make sure to wash the area with some hot water and soap afterward to take care of any remaining slickness. And for more novel ways to use your favorite products, check out these 50 Amazing New Uses for Everyday Items.

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Sarah Crow
Sarah Crow is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, where she focuses on celebrity news and health coverage. Read more
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