Lipstick on a shirt collar, a wax crayon mark on a child's T-shirt, a ballpoint scribble on a pocket or spots of tar on a trouser leg after walking over fresh asphalt. All of these marks have a greasy or waxy base, so water and detergent alone struggle to shift them.
This is where WD-40 helps: it gets underneath the greasy mark, softens it and lets you transfer the colour onto a cloth. After that the garment just needs a normal wash.
What you will need
Important: Test WD-40 on a hidden area of the fabric first, such as an inside seam. Do not use it on silk, unsealed leather or items labelled dry clean only.
Step 1
Put a paper towel underneath
Lay the garment flat and place a paper towel folded into several layers under the mark. It will absorb the colour and the product so the stain does not transfer to the other side or a nearby area.
If there are lumps of wax or tar on the fabric, lift them off carefully first with the blunt edge of a knife or a plastic card.
Step 2
Apply WD-40 from the back
Spray WD-40 Smart Straw through its straw onto the mark from the reverse of the fabric. This pushes the colour out into the towel rather than driving it deeper into the fibres.
For one small mark, a short burst from a pocket-size WD-40 100 ml is enough. Leave it for 1-2 minutes.
Step 3
Blot the mark with a cloth
Moisten a microfibre cloth with a little WD-40 Multi-Use and dab the mark from the front, working from the edges to the centre. Do not rub: lipstick and crayon smear easily.
Move to a clean part of the cloth and change the towel underneath as soon as colour appears on them. Repeat for older marks.
Step 4
Remove the greasy film
Once no colour is visible, put a drop of washing-up liquid or liquid detergent on the treated area and work it in with your fingers. It dissolves the remaining WD-40 and prevents a greasy ring.
Step 5
Wash the garment
Rinse the area with warm water, then machine wash on the programme shown on the care label. Make sure the mark has gone completely before drying, as the heat of an iron sets any remaining colour.
Tip: If a wax crayon has gone through the tumble dryer with the laundry, WD-40 helps there too: spray it on a rag, wipe the drum, then remove the residue with a damp cloth and a little detergent.
What next
The same method works for eyeshadow, eyeliner pencil and oil-based markers. Keep WD-40 Multi-Use at home and a compact can in your bag or car so you can act while the mark is fresh.
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».