What is a good substitute for plumber's grease?

Author: Eugenia Murray V  |  Last update: Friday, February 27, 2026

Silicone greases are nontoxic, nonhazardous, and can withstand various temperatures. They're perfect for faucet valves, rubber washers, and O-rings.

What can I use in place of plumber's grease?

If necessary, additional grease can be added to the joint before tightening it completely. Other products that might seem like they could work are olive oil, Vaseline, and WD-40.

What can I use to lubricate my faucet cartridge?

The Danco Waterproof Silicone Sealant Grease is ideal for lubricating faucet stems, valves and cartridges when repairing a leaky faucet. Silicone Faucet Grease helps reduce friction provides long-lasting lubrication and helps hard-turning faucets work smoothly.

What is a waterproof grease substitute?

silicone grease, a completely synthetic water-repellent lubricating solution characterized by the widest operating temperature range in full functionality compared to mineral organic solutions.

Is vaseline as good as silicone grease?

In both cases, you have to start with clean and conformal contact surfaces. Silicone grease acts in a similar way but is not as effective as vaseline in the presence of acid. Its great advantage is that it can be used in hot areas (connectors on or near engines) and will not melt, unlike vaseline.

Lithium grease vs silicone grease: Which to use?

What lubricant is safe for rubber?

What is the best lubricant to use on rubber parts? One lubricant that works well on rubber parts is silicone lubricant. This lubricant's versatility makes it compatible not only with rubber but with many other materials, including plastic, metal,wood and painted surfaces.

Is plumber's grease the same as silicone grease?

Plumbing grease, also known as plumber's grease or silicone grease, is a lubricant formulated for plumbing systems. It is typically made of silicone oil or petroleum-based substances mixed with a thickening agent.

Can I use WD-40 instead of grease?

So unless this application is particularly high speed, operating at low to moderate temperatures, it is unlikely that WD40 contains an oil of sufficiently high viscosity to provide adequate lubrication for the rolling element/bearing raceway interface.

Can you use olive oil instead of grease?

There are several different types of grease that are suitable for greasing cookware, including shortening, nonstick cooking spray, olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, bacon fat, and butter. Be aware that a little bit of the grease's flavor is likely to make its way into your baked goods.

What is the best grease for taps?

Black Swan SG1 Silicon Grease Ideal for Taps
  • TIMCO Silicone Lubricant - 380ml. ...
  • 500g Red Rubber Grease Tin - Ideal for Brake Assemblies - Lubricating Grease. ...
  • Rocol 12251 Sapphire Aqua-Sil Bearing Grease 85gm. ...
  • ROCOL Sapphire Aqua-Sil Bearing Grease Tube 85G for High-Temperature Applications.

How do you lubricate a tight faucet handle?

Apply a small amount of oil (WD-40, or similar penetrating oil) around the O-rings and put them back in place. Reassemble the faucet handle and turn the water back on. Check to see that the faucet handle is now moving properly.

What type of grease for moen cartridge?

For one-handle faucets with a 1225 cartridge, simply remove the cartridge and lubricate it both inside and out with a silicone-based grease (Moen part number 99915). Do not use plumber's grade faucet grease, silicon sprays or any lubricant that may contain petroleum.

Do I need to grease a new faucet cartridge?

While it's not mandatory for all cartridges, applying plumber's grease to the O-rings can make the installation smoother and help prevent future leaks. It's a recommended step for optimal performance.

Can I use vaseline instead of grease?

Vaseline: you can use vaseline for all sorts of applications. It is a great lubricant for metal parts such as air installation, but it is also regularly used for installing PVC parts. Note: contrary to ball bearer grease, vaseline does become liquid at higher temperatures (40 - 60°C), causing it to drip.

Where should you not use WD-40?

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 a substitute for bearing grease?

Mineral Oil Lubricants

These lubricants are made from refined crude oil and are affordable, widely available, and effective in reducing friction. Mineral oil lubricants can be used in a wide range of temperatures and are compatible with most ball bearing materials.

How good is WD-40 as a lubricant?

Now simply called it Multi-Use Product, it's good for basic lubricating, cleaning, and rust protection. It's not suited for many other jobs, such as chain lubrication, where it can actually remove the specialized lubricant used on chains.

Can I use dielectric grease in place of plumbers grease?

Dielectric grease is used primarily in automotive and electrical applications, such as spark plugs, battery terminals, and electrical connectors, while silicone grease is used in a wide range of applications, including plumbing, marine, and industrial equipment.

What do plumbers use to seal pipes?

Thread sealant, commonly known as "pipe dope," is used on a pipe to help secure a seal between threaded connectors. It comes as either a paste or tape and helps fill the threads between the pipe and fitting. When performing any plumbing project, choosing the right thread sealant is important.

What grease won't hurt rubber?

As mentioned above, and unlike lithium grease, silicone lubricant is the perfect lubricant for rubber surfaces, but it is also extremely versatile, so it can be used on most other materials, including metal, plastic, wood, and even painted materials.

What is plumbers grease?

Plumber's grease is a type of grease that lubricates and protects plumbing materials, such as taps and valve stems. Plumbers usually use this type of grease when installing taps and O-rings, and it can also be used to solve any issues with noise.

Is Dawn dish soap safe on rubber?

Yes, you can use dish soap and water to clean rubber - dip a cloth into a dish soap and water solution and scrub the rubber. How do I clean rubber gloves?

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