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There is a controversial video on YouTube that suggests you can fix a squeaky floor with WD-40. Full disclosure: I also work for the company that produced this video.
That’s right – the same stuff your dad used to fix the squeaky hinge on the bathroom door.
A lot of the commenters on this video worry about slipping and falling on an oily floor.
Or staining your wood floor by spraying an oil-based lubricant on it.
Or catching your house on fire because, well WD-40 is highly flammable.
So…can you really fix a squeaky floor with WD-40?
Any squeak you hear from your wood floor is caused by movement.
Remember the creaky door hinge your dad fixed with WD-40? It only squeaked when the door moved, right?
Ok, so movement is what causes squeaks in wood floors too.
Finding the source of the movement is key to fixing the squeak.
There are a half-dozen ways or more your floor could be moving and squeaking, but this WD-40 technique will only solve one of them – and it may not solve it permanently.
Nobody should have to put up with a squeaky wood floor
Do you constantly find yourself walking across your floor and finding that one spot where a squeak, creak, pop or other noise shouts back at you?
Squeaky floors like this are a real pain, because even though your floors may look great they can sound awful.
You shouldn’t have to put up with this – fixing squeaky floors is a great DIY project that most people can do.
Pay close attention to the area that is making noise when you walk across it.
If you can see boards rubbing against each other when you step on that area, your squeak might be the result of the friction and movement these boards are creating.
This is where WD-40 can come in really handy.
By spraying a light amount on the seems and joints of these two boards, you are lubricating the friction point to stop the squeak.
This is how the WD-40 “trick” works; and for many people it’s the easiest and cheapest way to quite their floor.
But, keep in mind it probably won’t last forever. You will need to reapply as necessary if the friction and movement start causing more squeaks.
Is WD-40 safe to spray on my wood floor?
The fact is WD-40 is an oil based lubricant that is made to last a long time and not wear out. It is smelly, slippery, flammable, and can stain porous materials like wood.
So why spray it on your wood floor?
Keep in mind, we’re talking about a very small amount that you should try to work into the seems and joints of the boards that are moving.
You can also wipe up any excess with a rag lightly dampened with mineral spirits to avoid a slipping hazard.
As long as you don’t let it sit on top of your finished wood floors, you are unlikely to leave any stains (but it’s always best to test in a hidden area first).
But, there’s another option:
The WD-40 Company makes a wood-safe Dirt & Dust Resistant Dry Lube PTFE Spray.
While still flammable, this wood-safe dry lubricant is a much better option for lubricating squeaky wood joints just like the one’s that may be moving in your wood floor.
What if my wood floor squeak is coming from somewhere else?
Perhaps you can’t see boards moving, or are unsure of the source of your squeaky floor.
If you really want to get to the bottom of it and not use shortcuts like WD-40 check out my comprehensive DIY guide to fixing squeaky floors.
Read: How to Fix Squeaky Floors: The Ultimate DIY Guide
Take the next step to your perfect floor
After reading this article you should have a good idea if the WD-40 trick will work for you, or if you need to do some further work to find the source of your squeak and fix it for good.
You can buy the wood-safe, dry lubricant version of WD-40.
Or, you can read my Ultimate DIY Guide to Fixing Squeaky Floors.
Have a question, or comment about this article? Let me know, I read them all!