Over time, shutters, doors, windows and furniture in every home collect dust and dirt and start to squeak and stick. Most of these little problems do not need a tradesperson: a few minutes and the right product are enough.
WD-40 Multi-Use stops squeaks, lubricates, protects metal from rust and corrosion and dissolves sticky residues without harming most surfaces. Here are seven jobs it can help with around the house.
What you will need
Important: On painted, varnished and plastic surfaces, test the product on a hidden area first. Do not apply it to skin, and wash crockery and anything that touches food thoroughly after treatment.
Step 1
Roller shutters and blinds
Roller shutters have plenty of metal parts: screws, the winding drum and the mechanism in the strap box. Over the years they rust and start to stick. Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to the axle, brackets and strap mechanism, then raise and lower the shutter a few times. Regular treatment protects the metal and extends its life.
Step 2
Windows that do not close properly
If a window closes stiffly or does not seal tight, lubricate the hardware: locking cams, stays, sliding bars and hinges. Apply WD-40 Multi-Use precisely through the straw, open and close the sash several times and wipe off the excess together with the dust.
Step 3
Lock care and replacing a cylinder
Give the lock cylinder a short burst of WD-40 Multi-Use: it drives out moisture, dissolves dirt and lubricates the mechanism. If the key still turns stiffly, or the keys are lost, it is easier to replace the cylinder.
Remove the long screw in the door edge opposite the cylinder, insert the key and turn it slightly until the cylinder slides out without force. Fit a new cylinder of the same size, refit the screw and check that the key turns easily.
Step 4
A stuck zip
To avoid staining the fabric, put WD-40 Multi-Use on a cotton bud or the corner of a cloth and run it along the teeth where the slider is stuck. Move the slider up and down a few times. Test the fabric somewhere hidden first.
Step 5
Glasses stuck together
Stacked glasses sometimes wedge together tightly. Apply a thin film of WD-40 Multi-Use into the gap between them, wait a minute and gently twist them in opposite directions. Then wash both glasses thoroughly in hot soapy water.
Step 6
Crayon marks and sticker residue
Spray children's crayon drawings on tiles, glass, plastic or metal with WD-40 Multi-Use, wipe lightly with a soft cloth and buff with a clean towel. Sticker adhesive comes off the same way. Keep the room ventilated.
Step 7
Squeaky hinges and cupboard doors
A quick shot of WD-40 Multi-Use on the pin of a door or cupboard hinge stops the squeak. Open and close the door several times so it spreads, then wipe off the excess to avoid marks.
Tip: Keep a can with a thin straw in your tool cupboard: precise application saves product and leaves no marks on wallpaper, fabric or floors.
What next
Treating shutters, windows and locks twice a year, in autumn and spring, prevents most of these problems. Everything else takes a minute to fix as soon as it appears.
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».