40 Survival Uses for WD-40

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

WD-40 can be found in just about every household. But if you’re a prepper, you might want to get a few extra cans so you’ll have plenty on hand for all kinds of applications and projects. 

Keep in mind that there are many types of WD-40. In this article, we’ll be looking at survival uses for the original WD-40, also known as WD-40 Multiuse. You can find more information on the different types of WD-40 at their website. Of course, it’s important to use the right tool for the job, so let’s look at some uses for the original old-favorite, WD-40.

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1. Degreaser

WD-40 is an excellent degreaser. Use it to remove grease from hands, tools, clothing, and fabric. Apply WD-40 to the material, allow it to sit, then wash the garment. You may want to spot test WD-40 on the garment first. 

2. Remove Rust from Tools

Keep your tools in tiptop shape by using WD-40 to remove rust and lubricate them. 

3. Firestarter

Saturate cotton balls with this to create your own fire starters. Then, just light the cotton ball after it is saturated. 

4. Stop Squeaks

If squeaking hinges are bothering you, give them a good spray with WD-40 to clean and lubricate. 

5. Fix a Stuck Zipper

You can loosen up a stuck zipper by spraying it with WD-40. 

6. Remove a Stuck Ring

If your finger is swelling and your ring gets stuck, you can spray it with WD-40 to remove the ring. 

7. Remove Adhesive Residue

If residue from duct tape or other adhesive is getting in the way, spray it with the degreaser, let it sit for a bit, and wipe it away. 

8. Remove Tree Sap

When you work outside often, it is easy to get stuck with sticky tree sap. Spray it and let the sap soften so you can remove it. 

9. Remove Gum

Gum can get stuck in any number of items like carpet and hair. Try using WD-40 to remove it rather than just cutting it out.  

10. Loosen Stuck Nuts and Bolts

Nuts and bolts can get stuck from dirt, grime, and rust. Loosen it up with this degreaser and solvent. 

11. Clean Toilets

Yes, you can use it to clean rust and limescale buildup in your toilets, making them work less efficiently. 

12. Remove Rust From Firearms

If your firearms are rusted, they won’t work when you need them to, and they can be dangerous to use. Use some of this solvent to clean and remove the rust. 

13. Remove Surface Rust From Tools

If your tools have a little surface rust, spray them with WD-40 and polish them up with a clean rag. 

14. Remove Grease and Grime From Tools

Tools are less effective and can break when they get covered in grease and grime. Clean them up! 

15. Improve Shoveling

Shoveling is hard work, but you can make it easier by spraying your shovel with WD-40 so that it glides through the dirt. 

16. Keep Rubber Seals and Weather-stripping Soft and Pliable

If you are trying to keep your house warm, you don’t want your sealing and weather-stripping to dry out and crack. Keep it soft and pliable with a coating of this degreaser. 

17. Clean and Shine Stainless Steel

A little bit goes a long way, but you can keep your stainless steel appliances clean and shiny when you polish them with WD-40.

18. Prevent Grass from Sticking to Blades on Your Lawnmower

Spray your lawnmower blades before mowing to keep the grass from building up the blades. 

19. Keep Nails Rust-Free

Just spray your box of nails so they don’t get rusty in the damp air. 

20. Spray On Arrows

Spray your arrows, so they are easier to remove from your targets during target practice. 

21. Clean Bike Chains

You can clean your bike chains with a few squirts of WD-40; just make sure to rinse and apply bike lube, especially if this is your bugout vehicle. 

22. Use On Gardening Shears

Keep your harvesting and pruning shears working smoothly with an application of WD-40 in the hinges and on the blades (unless you are using it for food).

23. Keep Locks Working Smoothly

Keep thieves out by keeping your locks clean and lubricated.

24. Use On Electrical Equipment to Drive Out Moisture

You don’t want moisture to get into delicate electrical parts. WD-40 can drive the moisture out of electronics. 

25. Use On Your Car or Bugout Vehicle

Spray spark plugs, moving parts, and even ignition wires to keep your car running its best. 

26. Lubricate Hinges on Animal Traps

You can’t catch dinner if your traps aren’t working correctly; make sure all the hinges are in good working order. 

27. Keep Leather From Cracking

Spray your leather items to keep the leather soft and supple. 

28. Use As a Makeshift Waterproofing

Although not a traditional water repellent, WD-40 will help push away water from boots and gloves. 

29. Remove Lime Buildup

Lime buildup can harm your plumbing, but you can spray your toilets and sinks to remove it. 

30. Keep Slugs Away From Vegetable Plants

Spray around the base of planters and container gardens to keep slugs from climbing into your pots. 

31. Split Firewood More Easily

If you find your blade keeps getting stuck when you are splitting firewood, try spraying it with a bit of WD-40 to help it slide more smoothly. 

32. Remove Glue From Fingers

If you get glue on your fingers, spray with a little bit of WD-40 and carefully work the glue off of your skin. 

33. De-ice Locks

Locks frozen? A few shots of this stuff should work them loose. 

34. Lubricate Snow Shovels

Make snow removal easier by lubricating your shovel blades. 

35. Remove Rust From Cast Iron

Spray rusted cast iron tools and then gently remove the rust with a steel wool pad. 

36. Protect and Clean Wood

WD-40 can act as a wood protector, especially if you can’t get to the hardware store. 

37. Clean and De-gunk Scissors

If your scissors don’t open and close, you might need to give them a good cleaning and lubrication with WD-40. 

38. Lubricate Saw Blades

Keep your saw blades running smoothly for your off-grid projects by regularly lubricating them. 

39. Remove Ice from Car Windows

Spray your windows before a hard frost to keep ice from sticking, or melt ice off with a few squirts. 

40. Protect Fish Hooks from Rust

Keep your fishing hooks from rusting by keeping them well-lubricated with a layer of WD-40. 

As you can see from the list, the original formula WD-40 is great to have on hand for both every day uses and for emergency and SHTF situations. Make sure you stock up and keep plenty of cans on hand so you will always have some when you need it.

While the shelf life of this product is technically considered to be 5 years, this refers more to the mechanism of the can than to the actual product itself. If stored properly, your WD-40 should last for many years. 

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