40 Uses for WD-40

More than 60 years after its invention in 1953, WD-40 can be found in four out of five American homes. Here's what it can do. (Warning: We haven't tried all of these.) This article was first published in Uncle John's Weird, Weird World.



40 Uses for WD-40

1. Removes grime from book covers.
   
   
2. Prevents mud and clay from sticking to shovels and boots.
   
   
3. Removes grease and oil stains on clothes.
   
   
4. Cleans chrome fixtures in bathrooms.
   
   
5. Makes puck slide faster on a hockey table.
   
   
6. Cleans and softens paint brushes.
   
   
7. Cleans and protects cowboy boots.
   
   
8. Removes crayon from walls, carpet, wallpaper, plastics, shoes, toys, chalkboard, monitors, screen doors, and rock walls.
   
   
9. Cleans piano keys.
   
   
10. Softens new baseball gloves.
    
    
    
    
11. Removes super strong glue from fingers.
    
    
12. Keeps wicker chairs from squeaking.
    
    
13. Removes scuff marks from ceramic floors.
    
    
14. Cleans and protects copper pots and pans.
    
    
15. Polishes and shines sea shells.
    
    
16. Removes water spots from mirrors.
    
    
17. Removes tea stains from counter tops.
    
    
18. Removes ink from carpet.
    
    
19. Keeps metal wind chimes rust free.
    
    
20. Keeps pigeons off window ledges (they hate the smell).
    
    
    
    
21. Prevents mildew growth on outdoor fountains.
    
    
22. Removes gunk from plastic dish drainers.
    
    
23. Cleans dog doo from tennis shoes.
    
    
24. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
    
    
25. Gets ink stains out of leather.
    
    
26. Removes roller-skate marks from kitchen floor.
    
    
27. Unkinks gold chains.
    
    
28. Penetrates frozen mailbox doors.
    
    
29. Removes tar from shoes.
    
    
30. Removes a stuck ring from a finger.
    
    
    
    
31. Cleans silver plates and trays.
    
    
32. Removes soap scum in the bathroom.
    
    
33. Polishes wood.
    
    
34. Takes the squeak out of shoes.
    
    
35. Wipes off graffiti.
    
    
36. Removes Silly Putty from carpet.
    
    
37. Loosens burrs, thistles, and stickers from dogs and horses.
    
    
38. Removes bumper stickers from cars.
    
    
39. Removes duct tape.
    
    
40. Really Odd Use! When John Glenn circled the earth in 1962, his spacecraft, Friendship VII, was slathered in WD-40 from top to bottom. NASA engineers hoped it would reduce friction upon reentry.
    
    
41. Really Odd Use! In 2001 a burglar in Medford, Oregon, broke into an apartment wielding a can of WD-40. He sprayed the occupant with the lubricant and demanded money, then escaped with the man's wallet and car keys (but was later apprehended).

For more cool history facts, check out Uncle John's Factastic Bathroom Reader and Uncle John's Weird Weird World: EPIC.

The article above is reprinted from Portable Press, the publisher of Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. Looking for more amazing facts and good laughs? Check out the latest Uncle John's Bathroom Reader titles at bathroomreader.com.

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