WD-40 is one of those things that almost everyone has on hand. But do you really know just how many uses there are for it? It’s not just for squeaky door hinges, although that’s one of its most popular purposes. Check out these ways you can use WD-40 to solve some more common problems you may have around the home and backyard.
Keep Pruning Shears Clean
It’s annoying to be in the middle of trimming a shrub or tree only to have leaves stick to your shears. It makes it almost impossible to finish the job, but stopping to remove them after every snip takes way too much time. Apply a layer of WD-40 to the blades of your pruning shears before you start, and the leaves will slide right off.
Remove Broken Keys from Locks
Have you ever tried to open an old, rusty lock, only to have your key snap in two? It happens sometimes, and it can be a serious problem, especially if you can’t get the broken key out of the lock. If it’s wedged in, you can use WD-40 and a pair of pliers or tweezers to extract the broken piece. Simply use the thin applicator tip to spray the product into the lock, and wiggle the key out with the tweezers. After you’ve removed the old key and cut a new one, apply more WD-40 to the new key before inserting it into the lock. This will help to loosen the lock and prevent this from happening again.
Avoid Muddy Shovels
If you’re digging holes for plants, fence posts, or any other purpose, it can be difficult to remove mud from the shovel after it’s dried. This can actually shorten your shovel’s lifespan as well as it being less convenient to use. To keep this from happening, purchase a large can of WD-40 and coat the entire shovel before you begin your work so the mud doesn’t stick in the first place.
Clean Crayon Stains
WD-40 can take away crayon stains on a variety of surfaces, not only clothes and fabrics but even the inside of your dryer. For washable items, apply the WD-40 along with your ordinary laundry detergent before you throw it into the wash. If you’ve got stains in your dryer, just apply the product straight to the problem area. However, as WD-40 is flammable, be sure to air out the dryer completely before you turn it on!
Use this handy everyday tool for those other everyday problems. You’ll be amazed at what WD-40 can do. Learn more about its unique uses here.