WD40 can work great on a lot of the different items that are causing you troubles around the home. You can use it to help out when there is a stuck zipper or a squeaky door that you need to fix. But at some point, you may get tired of having to worry about reaching for the can of WD40 or you will want to pick out something that is a little bit better on the environment. But what are some of the best alternatives to WD40 that you can choose for your needs?
Some of the best alternatives that you can use for WD40 include petroleum jelly, plumbers grease, squeezable oil products, and baking soda.
All of these are items that you may already have around your home, are inexpensive, and can get the job done in most situations. And since they are all natural options, you will be able to use them without the fear that can come with keeping some WD40 around the home as well. No matter what problem you have around your home that you need to get fixed, you will find that some of these alternatives to WD40 can be the right solution for you. Let’s dive right in and learn more and get started!
What Substitutions Can I Use Instead of WD40?
There are a few different substitutions that you can use in case you ran out of WD40 or want an alternative type of lubrication. Some of the best solutions include:
Petroleum Jelly
You may have heard of this substitute in the past. It has many uses in medical settings to help with dry and cracked skin. But it is also a handy lubrication, which can make it perfect if you are dealing with a stuck or squeaky metal joint or bike chain. And since it is not going to leak like WD40 does, you will not have to worry about some damage on any surface where you put it. 
To use this product, you just need to clean off the surface before you apply it. You can add some of the jelly onto a Q-tip and then carefully layer it on the area where it is necessary. Allow it to sit there for a few minutes and ten wipe it away and then it should be as good as new.
Plumber’s Grease
This is a good alternate if you would like to grease and then clean off the metal joints on metal parts of cabinets, power tools, and doors. This one is able to lubricate different fittings, usually in bathrooms and kitchens, though it will work on door hinges as well. You can use this in the same manner as you can with petroleum jelly like we talked about before. Just make sure that you clean off the area before you begin.
Squeezable Oil Products
Most WD40 products are going to come in a can so that you are able to spray it into the gaps and cracks to make it work. While the aerosol sprays are going to have some benefits, you may want to go with a penetrating oil based substitution instead. It may not be as satisfying as wiping something down, these oil products can stop the squeaking, without the mess. You just need to squeeze the bottle with its nozzle pointed at the place where you want it applied. Let it sit for a little bit and you are good to go. 
Make sure to just use a little bit of the oil at a time to avoid some penetrating problems with it dripping later on. The oil could get on the door and other components and cause you some problems, so leave a towel down to help and make sure to clean up when you are done.
Baking Soda
It is likely that you have some baking soda sitting around your home that you are able to use as a great alternative to WD40. This alternate is going to work well to remove jammed or rusty screws and bolts around the home. All you need to do is sprinkle some of the baking soda over the area that is stuck and then mix with water to make a paste that will become the lubricant. The baking soda will react with the water to make a mildly abrasive effect that will help remove some stuck objects. This is a very environmentally friendly option that can work wonders when compared to the traditional WD40 or other lubricants you may have used.
Taking Care of the Projects Around Your Home
While WD40 can be really useful and will help you out of some jams along the way, you will also find that utilizing some of the substitutes above will be good options as well. Take a look at each one and see if they are the right solution for your needs.
Facts about WD40 Substitutions
- WD40 is a multi-purpose lubricant spray, but there are many alternatives that can be used for similar purposes.
- Some of the most popular alternatives include vegetable oil, mineral oil, and silicone spray.
- Vegetable oil is an inexpensive substitution that works well on hinges and other metal surfaces.
- Mineral oil is more expensive than vegetable oil but it has superior lubricating properties and can also be used to protect against rusting.
- Silicone spray provides excellent protection from moisture and corrosion while providing a slick surface for easy movement of parts.
- All three options provide good lubrication without leaving behind any residue or staining surfaces like WD40 does.
- It’s important to note that some materials may react differently when exposed to these alternative products so it’s best to test them out in small areas first before using them extensively on larger projects or items.
Natural Substitutions
- Natural alternatives to WD-40 include coconut oil, olive oil, and baking soda.
- These natural alternatives are non-toxic and safe for use on most surfaces.
- They can be used to lubricate hinges, remove rust, clean tools, protect metal from corrosion and more.
- Coconut oil is a great choice as it has anti-bacterial properties that help prevent rusting of metals.
- Olive oil is also effective at removing dirt and grime from surfaces while providing a protective coating against moisture damage.
- Baking soda can be used to scrub away tough stains or grease buildup on surfaces without damaging them.