Everybody knows WD-40 is the product for silencing squeaks, displacing moisture, preventing rust, and loosening stuck parts. You probably have a can sitting in your garage right now. What you probably didn’t realize though is that WD-40 can help people with arthritis, too.
WD-40 was created for the space program by the Rocket Chemical Company in 1953. It took 40 attempts for the company to work out the ideal water displacement formula, and the name WD-40 comes from that process. It stands for “water displacement, formulation successful in 40th attempt.” In 1969, the company’s name was changed to the WD-40 Company — a stroke of genius. The company says that surveys show that WD-40 can be found in as many as 80 percent of American homes and that it has at least 2,000 uses, discovered by the users themselves.
WD-40 can be used for a variety of applications. While generally considered safe, there are a few things to be aware of when using it. First of all, WD-40 is petroleum-based, so it is crucial to be aware that it is highly flammable. Also, understand that it can be very harmful if swallowed and can aggravate respiratory issues if not used in a well-ventilated area. Furthermore, it can irritate skin, so ignore any advice to use it on your skin to “lubricate” your joints. WD-40 comes with a long assortment of uses – just be sure to utilize it safely.
For those with arthritis, WD-40 can be a helping hand for many every day activities. Below are just some of the ways to use it if your hands are hurting or you just need something to ease the way:
- Helps open rusty locks
- Helps sliding doors glide easier
- Unsticks difficult to open windows
- Keeps scissors working smoothly
- Keeps garden tools moving smoothly and reduces rust.
- Lubricates sticky drawers
- Lubricates sewing needles to make sewing heavy fabrics easier – hint: use very little to avoid staining
- Fixes squeaky hinges
- Removes crayon from wallpaper
- Removes stains from clothes and carpets
- Cleans oily films from car windows
- Removes tape from a glass surface
- Removes oil spots from concrete driveway
- Untangle jewelry chains
- Unfreeze car doors
- Prevents silver from tarnishing
- Removes permanent ink from most items
- Keeps mud from sticking to cleats
- Prevent grass clippings from clogging up a lawn mower
- Prevent squirrels from climbing into a birdhouse
- Spray on fishing bait to attract fish
After you discover WD-40’s many uses and you won’t think it’s just for rusty bike chains ever again!
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It is an interesting headline that “WD-40 Can Help People With Arthritis” but only after reading the entire blog we know that it doesn’t really help medically as a treatment but by making their work easier. Thanks for giving the many uses of WD-40. It is a great product indeed!
I have been told that wd40 products can help a person that has arthritis is this true or false
Hi Dale, Some people find WD-40 can help with arthritis, not as a treatment but by being a helping hand for many every day activities. Activities such as helping sliding doors glide easier, unsticking difficult to open windows, keeping scissors and garden tools working smoothly to name a few.