# Ahhh. WD-40. You smell so **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071 "2026-04-06T18:28:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/1 "2026-04-06T18:28:36Z")
Can even describe it. I can smell it and I’m not even there. 🤔 Hmmm Daughter washed boys jeans. One of them had gotten W_D-40_ on himself. She says the whole load smells like it. Should she dry them in the dryer? I screams noooooooooo! Into the phone. Hang them outside til I get home. My question, will this wash out? And, Is my washing machine ruined? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/2 "2026-04-06T18:32:11Z")
As is the answer to many things in life, run an empty load using **white vinegar** to remove the WD-40 smell. The WD-40 dried on the line will probably let the smell disappear from the jeans. The laundry detergent should have removed the bulk of the oil. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/3 "2026-04-06T18:33:14Z")
I did think of vinegar. But I wasn’t sure. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/4 "2026-04-06T18:35:36Z")
I had to check, you just need 2-4 cups of white vinegar to do the job, ~~you could add some baking soda but optional.~~ Long ago I used to be an HVAC mechanic so getting WD-40 and liquid wrench out of work pants was something I was semi-used to. Not to mention when I use to work on cars. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/5 "2026-04-06T18:47:40Z")
Thx. I relayed the message. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/6 "2026-04-06T21:06:34Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > My question, will this wash out? Why would you want it to??? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/7 "2026-04-06T22:34:54Z")
Don’t need my dainties smelling like that!! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/8 "2026-04-06T22:47:54Z")
I’m afraid I have no reply to that. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/9 "2026-04-06T22:53:25Z")
Vinegar is a terrific solvent and cleaner for everything from hard-water scaling to oil on driveways, just be careful to use it only when necessary, as it can be hard on the water seals in appliances. Very useful when necessary, not necessarily something you’d want to use regularly in most appliances. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/10 "2026-04-06T22:59:59Z")
I also learned recently, a white vinegar solution is better for killing mold than even bleach. That surprised me. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/11 "2026-04-06T23:07:06Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Don’t need my dainties smelling like that!! Unmentionables. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6N6KuhP7T18/hqdefault.jpg "Ocean's Eleven - Recruiting Saul") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N6KuhP7T18) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/12 "2026-04-07T00:06:19Z")
I generally use OXiclean instead of affresh type things to clean my washer. I can still smell the WD40 aroma. So we’re running OXiclean thru it. Before I put in my personal linen in. (I like personal linen to call my drawers, it sounds so frou-frou..ooh la la 😁 ) ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/13 "2026-04-07T00:07:43Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Don’t need my dainties smelling like that > [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’m afraid I have no reply to that. Which tells us all we need to know about what **his** dainties smell like. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/14 "2026-04-07T00:17:34Z")
I’m just figuring that out.😀 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/15 "2026-04-07T00:21:36Z")
Always have white vinegar _and_ WD-40 around, and you’ll solve practically any household or health issues. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/16 "2026-04-07T02:51:32Z")
I’m not sure WD40 has any health benefits. Certainly not helping my last nerve. Bear the grumpy Siamese and his Sassy Sister do not approve of these aromas in the laundry room where they might be catching some Zzzzs, on the dryer. Loudly disapproving. Making my head ache. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/17 "2026-04-07T04:57:09Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I had to check, you just need 2-4 cups of white vinegar to do the job, you could add some baking soda but optional. Hehe, I think the baking soda is just for the satisfying foaming action. Though, it is pretty useful as a scouring agent if you’re planning on scrubbing. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/18 "2026-04-07T05:30:29Z")
The only “dainties” I got are Killing Dachshunds. And they smell Fantastic! But their scent is not so good. > **Summary** > > Becky gives me a daily update on her “dainties’ and her smell for the night. Mostly Cherry. And strippedy with bows B ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/19 "2026-04-07T06:01:41Z")
In the future, use Dawn dish soap as a prewash if you get an oily substance like WD40 (which is mostly non-food grade fish oil) on clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071/20 "2026-04-07T06:44:49Z")
I do declare, You smelt too much gojo cherry hand cleaner out in your garage, Fish mouth. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahhh-wd-40-you-smell-so/1029071.md?page=2)