Does WD40 dissolve grease?

Author: Lazaro Conroy  |  Last update: Monday, February 2, 2026

WD-40 is a lubricant dissolved in a solvent. While it can break down grease and oil to a certain degree, it also adds back some. This might be desirable if you are cleaning a hinge, conveyor, or corrosive-prone part, but not if you need it truly clean.

What should you not use WD-40 on?

7 places to never use WD-40 — you'll be surprised
  • Hinges. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Bike chains. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Locks. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. ...
  • Sensitive electronics. ...
  • Wax polishes and some wax coatings. ...
  • Anything that comes into contact with food.

What is best for dissolving grease?

50/50 solution of vinegar and water, and a squirt of dish soap will cut grease in most cases.

What spray dissolves grease?

WD-40 Specialist® Degreaser

Contains a proprietary industrial-strength solvent that quickly breaks down grease, yet unlike other harsh degreaser solvents is safe on most surfaces including metals, plastics, rubber, glass, aluminum and more (if unsure test on a small area first).

What is the best solvent to dissolve grease?

Acetone: A strong solvent that can dissolve many types of oils and greases. It's commonly used in nail polish removers and some industrial applications.

Testing The 8 Strangest Uses Of WD-40. Which Ones Actually Work?

What dissolves heavy grease?

Use salt and rubbing alcohol to remove grease from fabrics.

This is especially useful for fabrics you can't through into the washing machine (rugs, couches, etc.). Mix four parts rubbing alcohol and one part salt together. Use a clean cloth to scrub mixture into the stain. You'll need to scrub hard!

Does rubbing alcohol dissolve grease?

Powerful Solvent: Rubbing alcohol is a potent solvent that can effectively dissolve dirt, grease, and certain stains. Its fast-evaporating nature ensures that surfaces dry quickly, leaving them clean and streak-free.

Is WD-40 a grease remover?

WD-40 is a lubricant dissolved in a solvent. While it can break down grease and oil to a certain degree, it also adds back some. This might be desirable if you are cleaning a hinge, conveyor, or corrosive-prone part, but not if you need it truly clean.

What liquid can dissolve grease?

White vinegar can remove grease. Wet a rag or sponge with vinegar and saturate the greasy area. Then, wipe it up.

What is best grease remover?

After evaluating multiple kitchen degreasers using our rigorous product testing process, these three rose to the top.
  • Best for Burned-on Food: Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser.
  • Best Nontoxic Kitchen Degreaser: Method Heavy Duty Degreaser.
  • Best Budget-Friendly Kitchen Degreaser: Comet.

What is the strongest degreaser?

Solvalene, the highest strength industrial degreaser, can conquer countless tough cleaning assignments. This industrial strength cleaner and degreaser is able to quickly penetrate and emulsify like no other cleaner and degreaser can.

How do you remove thick layers of grease?

Create a cleaning solution with 1-part baking soda, 2 parts warm water and the lemon juice. Add the solution to a spray bottle and spray the liquid onto the kitchen cabinets. Leave for 2-3 minutes, allowing the baking soda to work its magic. Use the soft sponge to gently scrub the grease away.

What chemical breaks down grease?

Formulated with alkaline substances such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, alkaline degreasers are highly effective at breaking down grease and oil.

What is the WD-40 trick?

Cut down on snow shoveling time with this neat trick: Spray the original WD-40 formula on both sides of your shovel before you start. Watch snow, ice and slush slide off the surface. No more stopping every few steps to dislodge built-up snow from your shovel.

What does WD-40 actually do?

WD-40® Brand offers a wide range of solutions for all your maintenance needs and specific tasks at hand. WD-40® Multi-Use Product protects metal from rust and corrosion, penetrates stuck parts, displaces moisture and lubricates almost anything. It even removes grease, grime and more from most surfaces.

Is WD-40 a lubricant or a solvent?

Its formula was invented for the Rocket Chemical Company in 1953, before it became the WD-40 Company. WD-40 became available as a commercial product in 1961. It acts as a lubricant, rust preventive, penetrant and moisture displacer.

What is the best solvent to dissolve hardened grease?

Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser is a foaming cleaner that excels on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. It's formulated for tackling tough grease and grime in the kitchen. It works by coating and lifting greasy messes, and it's safe to use on pots and pans as well as countertops, microwaves, stovetops and more.

What dissolves thick grease?

Why Vinegar Works as a Grease Remover. Vinegar is an effective all-purpose household cleaner. The acetic acid in vinegar is relatively mild, so it won't damage your metal surfaces. It's also nonabrasive.

Will vinegar dissolve grease?

Vinegar has earned a reputation as an effective cleaning agent thanks to its acidic properties. It's known for breaking down dirt, grease and hard mineral deposits. It's particularly good at dissolving soap scum, cutting through grease and removing unpleasant odors.

What do mechanics use to remove grease?

Nettuno's Lavatute detergent is specially designed to remove all traces of grease and keep the characteristics and integrity of mechanics' garments intact.

Is WD-40 good for grease?

Use the WD- 40® Specialist® Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser to remove tough grease and grime on tools, machinery and floors. And use WD-40® Smart Straw® to remove scuffs, residue, and more.

Does hydrogen peroxide dissolve grease?

Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Tackle Tough Grime and Grease

Try mixing two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap. The soap and hydrogen peroxide is more effective at dealing with grease compared to just baking soda and water.

Is 70% isopropyl alcohol a degreaser?

Applications for industrial-grade isopropyl alcohol include:

Strip surfaces of grime, grease, paint, & other coatings faster than low-concentration substitutes.

Does Pine Sol dissolve grease?

Pine-Sol is a registered trade name of the Clorox Company for a line of household cleaning products, used to clean grease and heavy soil stains. Pine-Sol was based on pine oil when it was created in 1929 and during its rise to national popularity in the 1950s.

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