There’s something satisfying about discovering that a product you already own can turn its hand to a range of household tasks, particularly at the moment when were all trying to save money.
At the GHI, were always singing the praises of versatile cleaners like bicarbonate of soda and distilled white vinegar but, believe it or not, WD-40 also has many uses beyond what it was invented for.
The exact cocktail of ingredients in WD-40 is a closely guarded secret but it belongs to a family of oil-based products called ‘water displacement lubricants’. While it’s the best-known brand, there are other products that do a similar job, such as or .
Can I put WD-40 or any other product on my sweater that has a tar spot? Yes. If the spot is small, get as much as you can off manually, spray, then dab with an absorbent material. The WD40 will thin the stain, and it could enlarge the stain area; keep spraying and blotting, and you should win.
Get rid of chewing gum
Discovering second-hand chewing gum stuck to the bottom of your shoes, on clothes or in carpet pile is never pleasant, but WD-40 can help get rid of it. Whatever the gum is stuck to, start by scraping away as much of it as possible with a blunt knife, and then spray the gummy area with the lubricant.
If you’re dealing with chewing gum on the sole of a shoe, you should now be able simply to wipe the loosened gum away or pick it off. A toothpick can help ease the gum out of the tread.
If you’re removing gum from fabric or from a carpet, leave the product to work for a few minutes after spraying lightly.
For carpets, use a blunt knife to ease the remaining gum out of the carpet pile then blot the affected area with paper towels to remove any excess spray. You may need to follow up with a specialist carpet cleaning product if the spray leaves a mark.
For fabrics, use a blunt knife to gently scrape away any residual gum – you may need to repeat the spraying and scraping process a few times. If this leaves a visible oily mark on the fabric, rub liquid detergent into the area before washing as usual.
As with any product you use on carpet or fabric, its best to test for colourfastness on an inconspicuous area first.
Remove sticker marks
Banish the tacky, gluey residue that stickers leave behind by spraying the affected surface with WD-40, waiting for a minute or so, then simply wiping away with a soft cloth or paper towels.
How to Remove Tar Stains From Clothes Without Damaging Clothing
FAQ
How do you get dried tar out of clothes?
Is WD-40 safe to use on clothes?
What will dissolve tar?
Does white vinegar remove tar?
Does WD-40 remove tar from clothing?
WD-40 is the best and most efficient way to remove tar and other difficult, sticky materials off garments. Even while WD-40 is primarily comprised of petroleum, it also contains other compounds that give it a different consistency from tar. Since it is intended to lubricate, using it can assist in removing tar from your clothing.
Can WD-40 remove oil stains from clothing?
If you’re battling with an oily stain, and out of other options, a recent viral TikTok suggests a potential solution using a product you probably already have at home. According to the creator of the original audio (and tons of enthusiastic commenters), WD-40 is an easy and effective way to banish old, set-in oil stains from clothing.
Can WD-40 stains be removed?
As many times as necessary, the procedure can be repeated. However, if you apply too much WD-40, it could also leave an oily mark on your clothing. To remove the WD-40 stain, you need have a commercial stain remover on hand that is made especially for oil-based stains.
What happens if you use WD-40 on clothes?
Additionally, because WD-40 is a strong solvent, it can break down the fibers in the fabric and cause discoloration or weakening of the fabric. This is why it is important to be careful when using WD-40 and to keep it away from clothing or other fabrics. Blot up as much of the WD-40 as possible with a clean cloth or paper towel.