The blue and yellow can is a fixture in most tool cupboards, yet many people only use it for squeaky doors. In fact WD-40 Multi-Use handles dozens of household jobs: it lubricates, frees, cleans and protects metal from moisture.
We have picked the ten most useful ones and grouped them into six steps. All you need is the can, a clean cloth and a scraper.
What you will need
Important: Unplug electrical appliances and remove the spark plug cap on engine-powered equipment before treating them. Test on a hidden area of varnished furniture, paint and plastic first, and never apply it inside the fridge or on food-preparation surfaces.
Step 1
Squeaky hinges and sticking locks (1-2)
Spray WD-40 Multi-Use straight onto the hinge pin and open the door a few times: the squeak disappears and the hinge moves more freely. For a lock cylinder, give a short burst through the thin straw, then turn the key several times.
Step 2
Glue, stickers and modelling clay (3-4)
Wet sticker and price-tag adhesive with WD-40 Multi-Use, wait a few minutes and lift it gently with a plastic scraper. Modelling clay pressed into furniture or floors by children wipes away easily after treatment. Finish by wiping the surface with a damp sponge.
Step 3
Tiles and stainless steel (5-6)
Spray stubborn marks on tiles with WD-40 Multi-Use and wipe with a cloth. For stainless steel, apply the product to the cloth rather than the surface and wipe gently along the grain: fingerprints vanish and the metal gets an even sheen. The outside of fridge doors can be freshened the same way, then wiped with a damp cloth.
Step 4
Seized nuts and replacing a tap (7-8)
Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to the thread of a bolt or nut and wait a few minutes, then undo it with the correct spanner without jerking. Before replacing a tap, turn off the water and treat the mounting nuts and connections: dismantling becomes much easier.
Step 5
Lawnmower care (9)
At the end of the season, clear grass from the blade and deck, then remove the spark plug cap or disconnect the power. Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to the blade, linkages and wheel pivots: the film protects the metal from rust in the garage.
Step 6
Protecting tools from damp (10)
Wipe hand tools stored in a cellar or shed with a cloth dampened with WD-40 Multi-Use from time to time. It displaces moisture and keeps rust away even in a wet autumn.
Tip: Spray less than you think you need: surplus product only attracts dust. A thin layer works just as well, and any excess can always be wiped off.
What next
Keep the can within reach and small household fixes will take minutes. For gates, garage doors and other heavily loaded outdoor parts, the thicker WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease is the better choice.
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».