New Year, New Projects
New Year, New Projects
<< BackAside from skiing season, the winter months are the perfect time to tackle household projects and start the new year with a refreshed home. From squeaky hinges to dusty electronics, a little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your living space running smoothly. With the help of the WD-40 Specialist® line of products, you can ensure every task is done with the right tool for the job.
From simple fixes to deep cleaning, WD-40 Specialist products are the go-to solutions for professionals in commercial, automotive, industrial, and other tech & trades sectors. Did you know they can also be the ideal solution for specific uses in the home environment? With their superior performance and versatility, you take on nearly any task with confidence. From preventative maintenance to fixing problems on the spot, choosing the right formula from the WD-40 Specialist line can give exactly the solution you need.
Looking for where to begin, or to familiarize yourself with what these products have to offer? Here are 5 project ideas – each paired with a WD-40 Specialist product – to kickstart your journey into the new year.
1. Door & Window Tracks with WD-40 Specialist Silicone
Precipitation and the winter’s chill can make door & window tracks stiff and difficult to operate. WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant is the ideal solution for ensuring smooth, easy movement while protecting these surfaces from moisture and wear. The formula provides 50% greater wear protection* and lubricates 6x longer than the competition,** delivering the high-performance results with less frequent reapplications.
Start by cleaning the tracks to remove dirt and debris, then apply WD-40 Specialist Silicone along the length of the tracks. Use a clean cloth to spread the product evenly and open & close the door or window a few times to distribute the lubricant. This clear, non-staining formula works on metal, plastic, and rubber surfaces, leaving behind a water-resistant film that won't attract dust or dirt.
* Test Lab: WD-40 Co. Technical Center (Pine Brook, NJ); ASTM D4172; Test dates: 03/2023; 06/2024
** Test Lab: WD-40 Co. Technical Center (Pine Brook, NJ); ASTM D4172 - Modified (Duration: 15min, 30min, 3h); Test dates: 06/2024; 07/2024
2. Protect Outdoor Hinges with Gel Lube
Outdoor hinges on fences, gates, garages, and more can take a beating when exposed to the elements. The squeaks can be a daily annoyance, but the rust and wear that affects hinges and other metal components in the backyard & outside the house can prove troublesome if left untended. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix with WD-40 Specialist Gel Lube. Designed for a durable, long-lasting coating that stays in place on vertical surfaces, this no-drip formula provides the care & protection you need to keep your home in top condition.
First, identify the squeaky hinges or metal parts you want to protect around your home, indoors or outdoors. Shake the can of WD-40 Specialist Gel Lube and spray directly onto the hinge. Open and close the hinge a few times to work the lubricant in. Wipe away any excess product with a cloth. With its thick consistency and ability to prevent rust for up to 12 months, our gel lube formula is ideal for servicing items with yearly maintenance requirements.
3. Refresh Vents & Light Fixtures with Contact Cleaner
Ever step into your bathroom and notice light fixtures that are dirty, rusted, or covered in dust? Vents and fans coated in grime? The new year is a great reminder to freshen up your living space and enter the next chapter on a clean slate. WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner can remove dust and grime buildup, improving appearance, functionality, and ventilation efficiency.
Our Contact Cleaner is primarily chosen for working with electrical connections, either by professionals in their trade or in everyday uses. Around the house, it works well on electrical equipment with motors such as fans, or on switches and light fixtures to safely clean items connected to electricity.
Before spraying electrical items, be sure to unplug or power off the device you’re cleaning. Spray WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner onto the targeted area, such as the fan or light housing, blades, motor, or switches. Use a microfiber cloth or soft brush to gently clean the surface. Allow the product to dry before powering the device back on.
You can also use the contact cleaner spray on remote controls, gaming consoles, your home office setup, or other sensitive electronics.
4. Deep Clean Kitchen Appliances with EZ-Pods
With the holidays behind you and all the pots, pans, and appliances having done their duty for delivering festive meals, the new year is prime time for a deep cleaning. You can focus on kitchenware or if feeling especially energized you can take on appliances such as the washer/dryer, stove, sinks, bathrooms, and any items or equipment around the home that could use a little TLC.
Nothing does a deep clean better than WD-40 Specialist Cleaner & Degreaser EZ-Pods. Simply drop & dissolve the pod(s) to create a customizable formula that makes tackling grease and grime a breeze. By choosing the concentration, EZ-Pods offers a powerful yet safe solution for taking on both tough messes and sensitive surfaces.
Begin by filling a bucket or spray bottle with water and drop in one WD-40 Specialist Cleaner & Degreaser EZ-Pod. For a more powerful formula, add a second pod to increase the concentration. Allow the pods to dissolve completely, then use the solution to clean large pots, stovetops, range hoods, and other greasy surfaces with a sponge or cloth. For tougher grime, let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Rinse with water and wipe dry for a sparkling finish.
These biodegradable pods are non-flammable and safe for various surfaces. Easy to store, they also save on plastic if you choose buckets or refillable spray bottles making them an eco-friendly choice for your cleaning needs.
5. Maintain Exercise Equipment with Dry Lube
Home gyms have been making gains in popularity in the past few years. Whether you work from home, prefer avoiding the crowds, or like to supplement your exercise routines with equipment around the house, it’s a good idea to keep your gear in good shape as well. Living room fitness can also be fun for the whole family, giving opportunities for partners to work out together and have the kids join too (or learn by example).
The new year is a great time to revisit your fitness goals. Help yourself take action by ensuring your home gym equipment is in top condition. To do so, try WD-40 Specialist Dry Lube – a terrific lubricant for maintaining treadmill belts, elliptical tracks, and weight machine components such as pulleys and cables. First, wipe down the equipment to remove dust and debris. Spray WD-40 Specialist Silicone on moving parts like hinges, pulleys, and tracks. Use a cloth to spread the lubricant evenly and ensure smooth operation.
With these five projects in mind, consider the needs of your home as the new year moves forward in the weeks and months ahead. No need to feel overwhelmed, just take things one step at a time, choosing the right tool for each job. The WD-40 Specialist line of products is here to help – review the other formulas on our website to see what works for your own household.
Remember too that our multi-use formula is probably within easy reach… according to How Stuff Works, “Some 80 percent of households have at least one can on hand” of WD-40® Multi-Use Product. Born from rocket science and with over 2,000 documented uses by fans from around the globe, it’s a one-stop shop for solutions of all kinds. Together with the super performance offerings from the WD-40 Specialist line of products, your new year of projects and problem-solving is set up for success. Pick one idea and put it into action today!
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