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Is WD-40 safe on skin?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 18, 2026

May cause moderate skin irritation. May cause skin sensitization. Prolonged skin contact may cause drying of the skin. Inhalation may cause nasal and respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects such as headache, dizziness and nausea.

Can WD-40 be used on skin?

Also, understand that it can be very harmful if swallowed and can aggravate respiratory issues if not used in a well-ventilated area. Furthermore, it can irritate skin, so ignore any advice to use it on your skin to “lubricate” your joints. WD-40 comes with a long assortment of uses – just be sure to utilize it safely.

Is WD-40 toxic on skin?

Skin Contact: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may produce mild irritation and defatting with possible dermatitis. Eye Contact: Contact may be irritating to eyes. May cause redness and tearing. Ingestion: This product has low oral toxicity.

Can you put WD-40 on your hands?

You don't need to worry if you have WD-40 at hand! Just spray some on the fingers that are stuck and just keep rubbing them until your hands are back to normal! You can use WD-40 for removing glue from other surfaces as well. Wash your hands thoroughly after using WD-40.

Is it safe to touch WD-40?

WD-40 is really not toxic unless you drink it or are particularly sensitive to petroleum distillates on your skin. You could even spray it on your skin without negative effects. So yes it is safe to touch.

27 related questions found

Is WD-40 toxic to humans?

Yes, WD-40 can potentially cause nasal and respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea—especially when inhaled at higher concentrations. You should always use WD-40 in moderation and in a well-ventilated area.

What can WD-40 be used for?

Home Uses For WD-40

  • Removes glue residue from old paneling.
  • Helps lubricate gate valve on a house.
  • Helps remove paint from tile flooring.
  • Keeps sewing machine wheels turning smoothly.
  • Loosens and penetrates rusted or stuck plumbing joints.
  • Loosens rusted bolts.
  • Lubricates and protects power tools.
  • Removes rust from saws.

What should you not use WD-40 on?

There are many different types of plastic, but there are two kinds that you should avoid using WD-40 on—polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. Polycarbonate is a transparent plastic that is commonly used in greenhouses, and polystyrene is typically used for styrofoam and soft drink lids among other items.

What should you not spray WD-40 on?

But Don't Spray It On:

  • Door hinges. Sure, WD-40 will stop the squeaking, but it also attracts dust and dirt. ...
  • Bike chains. WD-40 can cause dirt and dust to stick to a chain. ...
  • Paintball guns. WD-40 can melt the seals in the guns.
  • Locks. ...
  • iPods and iPads.

How do you get WD-40 off your hands?

If the product comes into contact with your hands, the WD-40 Material Safety Data Sheet instructs you to wash your hands with soap and water. Wipe your hands thoroughly after washing them to remove any excess product that did not bond to the soap.

Is WD-40 cancerous?

Unfortunately, the workers using WD-40 day in, day out, were likely exposed to benzene, a cancer-causing toxin that was present in WD-40. Since World War II, benzene has been known to cause cancers such as non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

What PPE should be worn when handling WD-40?

Eye Protection: Safety goggles recommended where eye contact is possible. Skin Protection: Wear chemical resistant gloves. Respiratory Protection: None required if ventilation is adequate. If the occupational exposure limits are exceeded, wear an approved respirator.

Is WD-40 a petroleum based lubricant?

On the WD40 Web site, the marketing pitch lists the ingredients as "secret," but the material safety data sheet (MSDS) indicates the following: 60 to 70 percent petroleum distillates, 15 to 25 percent base oil and 2 to 3 percent carbon dioxide.

Does WD-40 contain silicone?

WD-40 does not contain fish oil, contrary to a popular myth, nor does it contain silicone, kerosene, water, wax, graphite, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Why is WD-40 called WD-40?

WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed the product. The first company to use WD-40 Multi-Use Product commercially was Convair, an aerospace contractor, to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion.

Can you use WD-40 on bathroom tiles?

A quick once-over with a cloth sprayed with WD-40 is great for removing soap scum from shower doors and can also prevent mildew from returning. It's also a great way to clean the grout between your bathroom tiles, remove stubborn stains from your toilet bowl, and rust stains on porcelain caused from aerosol cans.

Is WD-40 a food grade lubricant?

This product is acceptable as a lubricant with incidental food contact (H1) for use in and around food processing areas.

How long is WD-40 good for?

What is the shelf-life of WD-40? Indefinite. While some products may have an expiration date, WD-40 lasts so long that a "use by" date isn't necessary.

Is WD-40 flammable after it dries?

While dry, WD40 is combustible instead of flammable, and then it burns slowly and quietly. This should be unsurprising, considering that WD40's principal ingredients are from petrochemical distillates.

What should be done if WD-40 gets into eyes?

Eye Contact: Flush thoroughly with water. Remove contact lenses if present after the first 5 minutes and continue flushing for several more minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists.

Is WD-40 liquid flammable?

WD-40 Aerosol: DANGER! Flammable aerosol. Contents under pressure. Harmful or fatal if swallowed.

Can WD-40 fumes make you sick?

Symptoms of Overexposure Inhalation (Breathing): May cause anesthesia, headache, dizziness, nausea and upper respiratory irritation. Skin contact: May cause drying of skin and/or irritation.

Does WD-40 wash out of clothes?

WD-40 is a petroleum-based lubricant that can cause stains on clothes. But it also can help to remove stains. The solvents in WD-40 help to break down oil—especially old oily stains—loosening the oil molecules from fabric fibers. Simply spray the stain with a bit of WD-40 from the front and back of the fabric.

How do you neutralize WD-40?

You can remove the oil film with a rag or paper towel soaked in some organic solvent like isopropyl alcohol.

What if you put too much WD-40 on a door?

But one place where you should not use WD-40 is a squeaky door hinge, as the lubricant can attract dirt and dust, and may eventually cause the hinge pin to turn black.