Tools
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use WD-40 to clean grease and grime from bike chains before applying a dedicated chain lubricant.
It degreases the chain so proper lube can adhere.
- Never use it on motorcycle o-ring chains as it washes out lubricants.
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- Do not use standard WD-40 to lubricate bicycle chains.2
Keep a headlamp in the household for hands-free lighting during tasks like repairs or finding lost items.
It saves stress.
- Headlamps aren't necessary for everyone.
- Shining it in others' faces can be annoying.
one person who lived it
Use a half-sphere shaped cup plunger for sinks.
It is designed to make a seal with a flat sink.
one person who lived it
Purchase the specific type of plunger designed for the drain or toilet you are clearing.
People often use the wrong plungers for toilets.
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Select a flange-style plunger featuring an additional rim or cylindrical section for use in toilets.
This design creates a seal against the toilet's curved outlet and performs better than standard cup plungers.
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Consider using an accordion or bellows-style plunger for severe clogs.
One person reported that the pressure it sends down the pipe handles even the worst clogs.
one person who lived it
Do not use olive oil or most vegetable oils on mechanical hinges or sewing machines.
They will go rancid, get sticky, and gum up the mechanism.
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Break loose seized parts using Kroil penetrating oil combined with heat, then clean with isopropyl alcohol and apply a better oil.
Kroil with heat works much better than WD-40 for breaking loose seized parts.
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Rub each side of tweezers or cuticle clippers on a nail file to reshape and sharpen the blades.
It stretches out the life of the tool until replacement, though not to brand-new sharpness.
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Use a heavier hammer to drive nails with less speed and stop the swing faster if you miss.
A heavier hammer allows you to push the nail through wood at lower speeds and enables quicker stopping upon missing.
one person who lived it
Stick to a single brand of cordless tools so you can share batteries across devices.
Batteries do not work across different brands.
2 people, independently
Buy a sturdy name-brand step platform for balance during high-reach tasks and as a garage bench.
It provides stability for installing or reaching high things, landscaping, and car detailing, while also serving as a seat.
one person who lived it
Use an electric screwdriver to speed up assembly tasks like building bookshelves.
One person reduced assembly time from 30 minutes to 5 minutes and avoided wrist cramps.
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Use a silicone-type spray instead of WD-40 for weed trimmer lines or general lubrication.
WD-40 is not a true lubricant and will dry up.
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Avoid using WD-40 as a primary lubricant for mechanical parts like hinges or chains.
It is primarily a water displacer and cleaner that evaporates quickly, potentially leaving cleaned surfaces to seize again.
2 people, independently
- Use WD-40 primarily to clean rust from oxidized door hinges rather than as a long-term lubricant.1
Use industrial-grade hot melt guns and adhesives for robust applications requiring high volume.
They run hotter, last longer, and deliver several pounds of adhesive per hour.
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Use scissors instead of dull knives to cut open plastic bottles for cleaner edges.
Dull tools produce jagged edges; scissors yield a better result.
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Avoid applying graphite powder to parts that still have WD-40 residue.
The remaining WD-40 will coagulate the powder into a mess
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Consider Hart tools from Walmart as an alternative to Ryobi.
They are manufactured by TTI, the same company that makes Ryobi and Milwaukee tools.
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Use WD-40 to remove adhesive residue, stickers, tape, and grime from smooth surfaces.
It has effectiveness similar to commercial adhesive removers.
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Apply lithium grease to mechanisms requiring long-lasting lubrication, especially if you can partially disassemble them to get the grease deep inside.
Grease stays in place longer than film or oil
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Purchase rechargeable flashlights at dollar stores.
Some models recharge small button batteries rather than a capacitor, making them surprisingly good.
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