15 Incredibly Useful Goops Every Homeowner Should Have on Hand

A different goop for every "oops!"

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WD-40

This multi-purpose lubricant is referred to as a “toolkit in a can.” This can features an 8-inch flexible straw that can bend and keep shape, allowing you to get to those hard-to-reach spaces. WD-40 is ideal to have on hand for wheels, engines, hedge trimmers, hinges, bikes, and all the nuts and bolts you throw its way.

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Petroleum Jelly

This is the goop you want to have around your home “just in case.” While it’s most commonly used to sooth skin rashes and heal minor scrapes and scratches, it also has many household uses. You can apply it to your wood coffee table if it has watermarks, for instance. Let it sit overnight, and wipe away the next day. Also, use it to lightly coat the insides of your candle holders before placing candles in them. This will allow wax to come out easily for cleaning. A little petroleum jelly is great for silencing that squeaking hinge once and for all.

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Mineral Spirits

Mineral spirits can be used as a degreasing and cleansing agent for automobile and machinery parts cleaning, with the spirits eating away at oil and chemical grease, and thus washing the part clean. Other uses include: as a lubricant for cutting threads; as a solvent to erase mistakes made while painting; and to remove sticky tape and price tags on glassware. The results of a simple surface cleaning with mineral spirits may amaze you, as will these other clever cleaning tips.

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Silicone Sealant

Silicone sealant is a liquid form of adhesive that’s a great multipurpose goop to keep on hand for household uses. You can use silicone sealant to fill holes and seal off gaps, cracks and seams. Silicone sealant is often used in areas that get wet, like bathrooms and kitchens. It can be used on many materials, including aluminum, ceramic, glass, metal, wood, plastic, granite, and more. Here’s how to repair and maintain car door weather stripping with the use of spray silicone.

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Caulk

Cracks and holes in your home are bound to happen, which is why keeping this goop around is a good idea. Caulk expands and contracts to fill in even large cracks and holes, with the ability to bond and seal just about anything! Here’s how to caulk a toilet to a floor.

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Spray Foam

Spray foam is versatile and handy to have on hand. It’s a quick and simple way to create an airtight, water-resistant seal on both the interior and exterior of your home. And because it cures rigid, it can be trimmed, sanded, stained and painted. If you’re looking for something that has lots of expansion, spray foam is for you. It can expand up to 30 times! Here are 17 ways to master using spray foam around your house!

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Wood Filler

Keep this type of goop around for interior uses like repairing holes, dents, scratches, gouges and defects on any wood, wallboard, molding or painted surface. We love that this particular product from Elmer’s goes on purple and dries natural when you’re ready to sand, stain or paint. Learn more about how to fill holes in your woodwork.

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Spackling

Spackling compound can fill annoying nail holes in your walls. It dries fast and cleans up easily with water. You can use it on plaster walls, drywall and wood surfaces. Check out these tips for patching drywall.

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Goo Gone

This goop removes other goop! Goo Gone a surface-safe formula that can be used on stickers, wax, markers, crayon, glue, tar, window decals and gum. It’s the type of product you’ll want to keep on hand for multiple uses around your home. It can remove everything from wine glass labels to scuffs, and can be used to clean window sills and so much more. Be sure to check out these 50 cleaning tips and tricks to make your home shine.

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Superglue

When a household item breaks, often the best goop to grab is superglue (a glue whose chief ingredient is a cyanoacrylate that becomes adhesive through polymerization rather than evaporation of a solvent). This magical mender can do some major surgery on broken and wobbly items you’re not ready to give up. We love the intuitive pen-shaped applicator of this product that allows for frustration-free dispensing.

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CLR (Calcium, Lime and Rust) Remover

CLR is a powerful product that can be used on various household surfaces to remove ugly gunk that turns your appliances and hardware from new to used up in no time. This remover can be used on everything from bathtubs and shower heads to toilets, sinks, glass, chrome, fiberglass, stainless steel, most coffee makers, washing machines and humidifiers. Here’s how to clean a bathroom faster and better.

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Epoxy

This adhesive resin has so many uses for your fixer upper needs. Unlike many other adhesives and fillers that require drying time, epoxies require two parts that, when mixed, begin a chemical reaction that causes the liquid or putty to harden. The Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy is ideal for tough repairs requiring a durable bond, plus gap-filling capabilities and solvent resistance. Next, learn how to use epoxy resin like a pro.

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Wood Scratch Remover Stick

For those unsightly scratches on your beautiful wood furniture, pick up the Tibet Almond Stick Scratch Remover. The tightly-rolled stick of cotton has been soaked in a formula the company claims is a “family secret.” Perfect for furniture, flooring and antiques, you’ll wipe out scratches in the blink of an eye. You may also want to check out these 10 tips for wood floor scratch repair.

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Spray Rubber Sealant Coating

This rubber sealant coating from Flex Seal works to keep out water, air and moisture while preventing rust and corrosion by transforming into a durable waterproof barrier. Upon spraying, the goop seeps into the cracks and holes, then dries as a rubberized coating. You may also want to learn how to prevent leaks with pipe dope.

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Leather and Vinyl Repair

Before you freak out over that tiny tear or hole in your leather couch or car seat, pick up this leather and vinyl repair product from Plasti Dip. The clear, glue-like substance will mend the damage in no time. The air-dry formula dries clear and blends with colored materials. Check out this leather and vinyl repair guide for more simple, DIY fixes for tears and holes.

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Alexa Erickson
Alexa Erickson is an experienced lifestyle writer who has contributed to Family Handyman, Reader's Digest, Martha Stewart, Bob Vila and Thrillist. She’s written more than 50 articles for Family Handyman on a range of topics, including home design, DIY home improvement projects, and storage and organization. Additionally, she runs her own website, Living by Lex, where she writes about home decor, travel, tech and more.