WD-40 penetrating oil has a wide range of household uses and is part of the “standard equipment” in many hobby cellars and workshops. You can use the multifunctional product to remove burnt-on dirt, prevent rust or remove small scratches from car paintwork, for example. However, there are some things that you should never use WD-40 for.
What should you not use WD-40 penetrating oil for?
You always thought WD-40 was an absolute all-rounder? Not quite. You should avoid using the popular penetrating oil in the following areas.
1. clean toilet or shower
Avoid cleaning your toilet or shower with WD-40 at all costs. The penetrating oil would enter the waste water via the drain and harm the environment. To clean the toilet, it is better to use classic cleaning agents or household products.
2. clean the rubber
The penetrating oil can dissolve or damage rubber. It should therefore not be sprayed onto tires, rubber mats or other rubber parts. Instead, use a special rubber care product.
3. do not use WD-40 as a lubricant
Many people use penetrating oil to make hooked locks, grinding hinges or bicycle chains work again. However, WD-40 is not a lubricant and should not be used for these purposes. You can clean such objects with the penetrating oil, but they still need to be greased afterwards.
4. do not use WD-40 on plastic
WD-40 removes the plasticizer from plastic surfaces or plastic parts. The material becomes porous through the use of penetrating oil and can break off. It is better to use a solvent-free silicone spray to lubricate and clean plastic. The same applies to wood – the penetrating oil can dry out and damage the wood.
5. cleaning textiles with penetrating oil
If you treat textiles with penetrating oil, e.g. to remove stains, discoloration may remain on the material. Therefore, check beforehand on an inconspicuous area how the material reacts on contact with the penetrating oil.
This otherwise versatile product is also not suitable for use on sports equipment (e.g. skis or snowboards), musical instruments or electronic devices. If you are unsure, you should do more research to find out whether the supposed miracle oil is suitable for your project. For these 11 household problems, however, you can use the penetrating oil without hesitation.
Source: t-online
Preview image: ©Wikimedia/ajay_suresh/ CC-BY-2.0
