5 Amazing WD-40 Hacks Every Louisiana Resident Should Know

LOUISIANA (KPEL News) - WD-40 is something that most of us have around the house. Let's be real, it really fixes just about anything that is stuck or squeaky! But, did you know that WD-40 can be used for a litany of other things around the house and office.

What Is WD-40 And Why Was It Invented?

According to their website, "In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40_® Multi-Use Product -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still in use today"

The solvent was used early on to protect the Atlas rocket from rust and corrosion, but quickly gained popularity, landing on retail store shelves in 1958.

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It's Not Just For Lubricating And Rust Prevention!

WD-40 is mainly used around "the shop", and by shop, I mean anywhere a guy...or gal gets down in the dirt, doing good, old-fashioned, manual labor! A mechanic's garage, carpenter's woodshop, any garage or shed in the United States, some may argue. We use it to fix anything from a squeaky hinge, a noisy belt pulley on a car engine, or that old rusty bike chain, right before you donate it to a thrift store. The usefulness doesn't stop there!

FIVE Nifty Uses For WD-40 You May Not Have Heard Before

The WD-40 website is stocked full of information on ways you can use their universal product. We picked five that may come in handy next time you're in a pinch!

•  TREE SAP REMOVER

According to the WD-40 experts, all you need to do is "carefully scrape off as much residue as possible, and then rub a little of the original WD-40 formula in to break up the rest of the sap".

• SCRAPE THOSE DARN LOVEBUGS OFF YOUR BUMPER

My late-Uncle Ames was a big fan of this one. He was one of the most meticulous people I've ever met when it came to keeping his car clean. He kept a special set of microfiber rags in his trunk, and every time he stopped, he would wipe the bugs from his bumper immediately! According to the folks at WD-40, all he needed to do was "soak the grill with WD-40_® Multi-Use Product, then use a rag to wipe away all the sticky remnants".

• PULL APART THOSE STUCK LEGOS

I can tell you from personal experience, there are some Legos that are just impossible to pull apart! You can identify the ones in my house by the ragged edges from trying to pry them open with a steak knife. Well, put those knives away! WD-40 has an easier, and much safer suggestion, use WD-40 with the little tiny red straw attached really get it in there, then you should be pull them apart with relative ease. They suggest that you are "sure to wash the blocks with soap and wipe clean before playtime resumes".

• BREAK IN THAT NEW BASEBALL MITT

You read correctly, WD-40 can help you break in that leather glove faster. It's a bit of a process. Their recommendation is to "spray the baseball glove with the original WD-40 formula, place a baseball inside and wrap with rubber bands. Leave the glove overnight to soften and shape it around the ball".

• LUBRICATE LUGGAGE ZIPPERS

Luggage can be expensive, like REALLY expensive. You expect it to last for awhile, especially if you're an occasional traveler. Unfortunately, airport workers don't always treat our pricey bags with the same care and attention that we do. The first thing to go out is usually the zipper. When they get a bit tight, we tend to try and use a bit of brute force. Ditch the force and grab some WD-40. A quick spritz using the straw will give the amount you need to easily glide the zipper forward, without the drippy mess.

Next time you have a task that needs a little extra help, grab a can of WD-40!