Ceramic tiles in the bathroom and kitchen are water-resistant and easy to clean, until lipstick, mascara, nail varnish or sticker glue lands on them. These stains contain fats, waxes, resins and pigments, so plain water and detergent just smear them around.
This is where WD-40 Multi-Use comes in: it gets under the greasy or sticky layer, loosens its grip on the glaze and lets you wipe the stain away. After that, a normal clean with detergent is all the tiles need.
What you will need
- WD-40 Multi-Use
- WD-40 Smart Straw for precise application on grout
- Microfibre cloths, paper towels, a sponge
- Plastic scraper
- Old toothbrush
- Warm water with detergent
Important: Test on a hidden area first, especially on matt tiles and light grout. Do not leave WD-40 on floors: always wash it off with soapy water so nobody slips. Keep the bathroom ventilated while you work.
Step 1
Remove lipstick
Lipstick is made of waxes and oils, so water only smears it. Spray a little WD-40 Multi-Use onto the mark and wait 10-20 seconds: it dissolves the oily base and lifts the pigment off the glaze. Then wipe it away in one movement from the edges towards the centre.
Step 2
Clean off mascara
Mascara clings even harder thanks to waxes, silicones and long-lasting pigments, especially once dry. Apply WD-40 Multi-Use in proportion to the size of the stain, let it work for half a minute, then wipe with a sponge. Remove what is left with a cloth and detergent.
Step 3
Get rid of glue and stickers
Stickers children have stuck on the tiles and the sticky marks from adhesive hooks also come off with WD-40. Spray WD-40 Multi-Use onto the edge of the sticker and underneath it, wait a minute for it to soak into the glue, and lift it off with a plastic scraper. Wipe away the remaining adhesive and wash the area with detergent.
Step 4
Remove nail varnish
If the varnish has just been spilt, first blot up the excess with a paper towel without spreading it. Then spray WD-40 Multi-Use generously, wait, and wipe with a clean microfibre cloth. Dried varnish comes off the same way, it just needs a little longer. A particularly stubborn spot can be eased off carefully with a plastic scraper.
Step 5
Freshen up dirty grout
Grout lines darken with grease and grime in the kitchen and soap scum in the bathroom. Apply WD-40 evenly along the joint through the thin straw of WD-40 Smart Straw, wait a few minutes and scrub with an old toothbrush.
Finally, wash the grout and tiles with warm water and detergent and dry them. This leaves no oily film for dust to stick to.
Tip: The sooner you tackle a stain, the easier it comes off. Keep a can of WD-40 in the bathroom cabinet so lipstick or varnish never has time to sink into the grout.
What next
Afterwards, clean the tiles weekly with your usual product and keep WD-40 Multi-Use for tough stains and for caring for chrome taps and cabinet hinges.
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».