WD-40 will make your old patio furniture look like new – Better Life

Patio furniture is key for warm weather gatherings. A major downside? It gets dirty quickly. No matter how skilled you are with foam and bubbles, it seems that once an outdoor piece of furniture has survived a few seasons, it’s impossible to restore it to its former glory. Dust, chalk and discoloration take over, making your rooms look like they’ve never seen a sponge. That is, until now. Read on to find the common household item that will make your old patio furniture look brand new.

CONNECTION: Never use these two cleaners together, the CDC warns.

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You know WD-40 is a powerful lubricant, useful for fixing a squeaky door, loosening a stubborn zipper or lubricating bicycle chains. But what you might not know is that it also has cleansing properties. “WD40 is a versatile cleaning agent that can be used on a variety of surfaces, including patio furniture,” says Jill Taylor, full time owner and author of Good farm yard. “The main ingredient in the product is a petroleum-based solvent, which helps dissolve ground-in dirt and grime.” In addition to dirt, if your furniture has oil, adhesive, or petroleum-based residue, the spray can lift that too.

To use WD-40 as a cleaner, Taylor recommends the following procedure. First, spray WD-40 on a clean rag. Doing this instead of applying it directly to furniture will help you avoid potential streaks and wasted product. Then wipe the furniture with the cloth, in the direction of the grain of the wood or metal. Finally, buff the furniture with a clean, dry cloth to remove any stubborn product.

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Patio furniture has to withstand sun showers or the occasional thunderstorm, which means rust is another challenge. Fortunately, WD-40 can also help here. According to Taylor, “WD-40 contains lubricating agents that help prevent rust and corrosion.” the WD-40 website further confirms this fact.

So how does it work? It turns out that WD-40 has water-displacing properties (the WD in WD-40 stands for “water-displacing”) due to the fact that it has a lower surface tension than water-displacing. water, which keeps the water droplets away. This means it removes the moisture that causes rust in the first place. According to the WD-40 website, “the product formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.” So when you shine and polish your furniture, you’ll also be adding a layer of protection.

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There are a few risks associated with using WD-40 to clean patio furniture. First of all, you should only use it on certain parts of your furniture. “You don’t want to use WD-40 on fabric or soft materials,” says Jeremy YamaguchiCEO of lawn technology company Lawn love. “Do not apply it to patio cushions, pillows or soft seats, otherwise it may cause irreversible damage.” For plush furniture, that means permanent stains from the petroleum base of WD-40.

You’ll also want to try it on a hidden part of the furniture first, like the bottom or inside of a chair leg. “Always test before using a product for ‘off-label’ tasks,” says Allen Ratheydirector of the organization of cleaning resources Inner Health Council. If your furniture doesn’t handle WD-40 well, try something as simple as an all-purpose cleaner or dish soap solution, he says.

Finally, Rathey recommends using WD-40 in a well-ventilated space. Since you’re cleaning your patio furniture, we recommend doing it in your backyard or garage (with the door open, of course).

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Besides patio furniture, the WD-40 can help you clean and maintain a range of outdoor supplies. The WD-40 website recommends using the product for clean and prevent rust on garden tools and to keep the wheels of your lawn mower running smoothly. In the winter, you can use it to clean and protect snow shovels and plows (and other metal supplies) from rust and corrosion. Truly, the options are endless when it comes to this miraculous household item. Remember Rathey’s golden rule to test before you go.

RELATED: 40% of people only wash this item once a year, according to a survey.

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