The hardest thing to clean in a kitchen or utility room is not dust but greasy film. It settles on the cooker hood, the tiles behind the hob, metal handles, appliance doors and tools. A wet cloth only smears it, and over time dust sticks to the grease as well.
WD-40 Multi-Use softens greasy and sticky marks, tape and adhesive residue, and on metal it also leaves a thin protective layer against moisture. Here is how to clean these surfaces quickly and without hard scrubbing.
What you will need
Important: Do not apply the product to food contact surfaces (chopping worktops, the inside of the fridge, dishes), to a hob while it is in use or near an open flame. Unplug appliances first, keep the room ventilated, and test the product on a hidden spot of painted or plastic surfaces.
Step 1
Prepare the surface
Unplug the cooker hood or appliance and let it cool down. Brush or vacuum off loose dust and crumbs so they do not turn into dirt during cleaning.
Find where the real old grease is: usually the top of the hood, the tiles behind the hob, cupboard handles, metal shelves and workshop tools.
Step 2
Apply the product to the grime
Spray WD-40 Multi-Use evenly onto greasy areas from 15-20 cm. For large areas WD-40 Trigger Pro is more convenient, while tile joints, corners and gaps are easier to reach with the WD-40 Smart Straw.
On vertical surfaces spray onto the cloth rather than straight onto the wall to avoid runs.
Step 3
Let it work
Leave it for 2-5 minutes. During this time it gets under the film and softens grease, adhesive and sticky marks. A thick layer is better treated twice than scraped with a metal scourer, which leaves scratches.
Step 4
Wipe away the softened dirt
Use a clean dry cloth and wipe in one direction. Turn or change the cloth often, otherwise the dirt goes back onto the surface.
If a mark remains, apply again and wipe once more.
Step 5
Wash off residue where hands touch
After cleaning, wipe tiles, cupboard handles and appliance doors with a cloth dampened in warm soapy water, then dry them. This leaves no slippery film.
Metal shelves, tools and fixings in a storeroom or garage, on the other hand, only need a light wipe: the thin film protects them from damp and rust.
Tip: In winter, metal in unventilated storerooms and on balconies quickly sweats. Once a season wipe metal shelves, handles and tools with a cloth and a drop of WD-40: grease will not stick as hard and rust will not appear even in high humidity.
What next
Clean the cooker hood and the tiles near the hob once a month so grease never has time to harden. For squeaky door hinges and sticking locks keep a pocket-size WD-40 100 ml to hand.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».