The kit · solvent
WD-40: what it removes and where never to use it
A petroleum-based lubricant and water-displacing spray.
- pH
- n/a
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 4 materials
- Used in
- 0 files
01 How to use it
Spray a little onto a cloth, not the surface, to loosen crayon, gum or adhesive, then remove its own oil with dish soap.
- It is an oil: it leaves an oily stain of its own on fabric and porous surfaces.
- Flammable.
How it works
Solvents dissolve what water cannot: inks, resins, waxes, adhesives, nail polish and some oils. Each solvent dissolves particular materials, which is also why each one can damage particular surfaces.
On a label
On an ingredient list, WD-40 shows up as petroleum distillates (aliphatic hydrocarbons).
WD-40 is ruled out on a mattress, suede, marble and grout. Avoid routine home use on clothes, a white shirt, jeans, linen, sheets, towels, baby clothes, polyester, leggings, a wool sweater, silk, carpet, a wool rug, a couch, a microfiber couch, velvet, a car seat, leather, white sneakers, granite and plastic containers. The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Wax
- Polymer
- Pigment particles
WD-40 is strongest against wax and polymer, and useful on wax and polymer.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress | Never | An oil stain in a mattress is harder to remove than whatever it was for. |
| Suede and nubuck | Never | It leaves a permanent dark oil patch in suede. |
| Marble | Never | Marble is porous; the oil soaks in and stains. |
| Tile grout | Never | Grout is porous and will darken with oil. |
| Clothes | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| White shirt | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Jeans | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Linen | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Sheets and bedding | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Towels | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Baby clothes | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Polyester | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Leggings and activewear | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Wool and cashmere | Avoid | Oil in wool or silk is hard to shift without a dry cleaner. |
| Silk | Avoid | Oil in wool or silk is hard to shift without a dry cleaner. |
| Carpet | Avoid | It leaves an oily patch that attracts dirt. |
| Wool rug | Avoid | It leaves an oily patch that attracts dirt. |
| Fabric couch | Avoid | It leaves an oil stain that needs solvent cleaning. |
| Microfiber couch | Avoid | It leaves an oil stain that needs solvent cleaning. |
| Velvet upholstery | Avoid | It leaves an oily patch that attracts dirt. |
| Car seats | Avoid | It leaves an oil stain that needs solvent cleaning. |
| Leather | Avoid | Petroleum oil can stain and soften leather. |
| White sneakers | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Granite | Avoid | It can still darken granite if the sealer is worn. |
| Plastic containers | Avoid | The makers advise against it on polycarbonate and clear polystyrene, which includes much rigid food packaging; it can craze or cloud them. |
| Rayon and viscose | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Quartz countertop | Test first | Wipe it off fully with dish soap afterwards. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Test first | It can soften some finishes; wipe off quickly. |
| Painted walls | Test first | A classic for crayon on walls; wipe its oil off with dish soap afterwards and test the paint sheen first. |
04 Myth files
- Does WD-40 remove stains? It loosens crayon, gum, adhesive and old grease, but it is an oil, so it leaves an oil stain of its own.
05 Questions
What stains does WD-40 remove?
It works best on wax and polymer.
How do you use WD-40 safely?
Spray a little onto a cloth, not the surface, to loosen crayon, gum or adhesive, then remove its own oil with dish soap. It is an oil: it leaves an oily stain of its own on fabric and porous surfaces.
What should you never mix with WD-40?
This reference cannot establish that any commercial cleaner has no dangerous mixing partner. Do not combine cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use; rinsing alone does not establish compatibility for later treatment.
Where should you never use WD-40?
On a mattress, suede, marble and grout. An oil stain in a mattress is harder to remove than whatever it was for.