Hair Spray Hacks: Surprising Ways to Use It Beyond Your Hair

Hair spray has been a beauty staple for decades, helping to lock in styles, hold curls, and tame flyaways. But did you know that hair spray can do so much more than just keep your hair in place? This versatile product has a range of surprising uses beyond its primary function. From cleaning hacks to fashion fixes, hair spray is a multi-purpose tool that can be handy in everyday life. In this article, we’ll explore some unexpected hair spray hacks that extend far beyond your hair.

1. Remove Stubborn Stains from Clothes

Hair spray can be an effective stain remover, especially for ink stains on clothing. If you’ve accidentally marked your shirt with a pen, don’t worry—grab a can of hair spray! The alcohol in hair spray helps to break down ink, making it easier to remove. Here’s how:

Place a paper towel or cloth underneath the stain to prevent it from spreading.

Spray the affected area generously with hair spray.

Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.

Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Wash the garment as usual.

This trick works best on fresh stains and is a lifesaver for getting rid of those accidental pen marks.

2. Preserve Fresh Flowers Longer

One of the lesser-known uses of hair spray is its ability to preserve fresh flowers. If you’ve received a beautiful bouquet and want to extend its life, a quick spritz of hair spray can help. The hair spray forms a light protective coating on the petals, slowing down the wilting process and helping the flowers maintain their vibrancy.

Hold the can about 12 inches away from the flowers.

Lightly mist the undersides of the petals and leaves.

Allow the flowers to air dry.

This hack works particularly well for dried flowers, keeping them intact and free from crumbling.

3. Keep Your Shoes Scuff-Free

Hair spray can also work wonders on patent leather shoes and bags, preventing scuffs and giving them a longer-lasting shine. If you notice your shoes getting marked up easily or losing their glossy finish, try this simple trick:

Clean the surface of your shoes or bag with a soft cloth.

Spray a light layer of hair spray over the entire surface.

Buff gently with a clean cloth for an extra shine.

This will help keep your shoes looking fresh and polished for longer, perfect for when you want to maintain that just-out-of-the-box look.

4. Stop Static Cling on Clothes

Static cling can be an annoying problem, especially when it makes your clothes stick to your body in uncomfortable ways. Luckily, hair spray can come to the rescue. The polymers in hair spray can reduce static electricity, making your clothes hang properly and move naturally.

Hold the can about 8-10 inches away from the inside of your clothes.

Lightly spray the area where you’re experiencing static cling.

Let it dry before putting the garment on.

This quick fix can be particularly helpful in winter when the dry air makes static cling a frequent issue.

5. Seal a Run in Your Stockings

There’s nothing worse than noticing a run in your stockings or tights just before heading out the door. Fortunately, hair spray can help prevent the run from getting worse. Here’s how you can use it to stop the damage:

As soon as you notice a run, spray a light layer of hair spray over the area.

Let it dry completely.

The hair spray acts as a sealant, temporarily stopping the run from expanding. While this won’t fix the run permanently, it will buy you time until you can replace the stockings.

6. Repel Bugs and Insects

If you’re caught without bug spray, hair spray can serve as an emergency alternative. While it’s not specifically formulated for this purpose, the alcohol and chemicals in hair spray can deter small insects like flies and gnats. In addition, spraying hair spray directly on bugs like ants or spiders can immobilize them, making it easier to remove them from your home.

Simply spray the hair spray around doors, windows, or areas where bugs tend to enter.

Use it on insects directly to prevent them from moving.

This is not a permanent solution, but it can be a quick fix when you're in a bind.

7. Protect Drawings and Artwork

If you or someone in your household enjoys sketching with pencils or charcoal, hair spray can help preserve those drawings by acting as a fixative. A light mist of hair spray will keep the artwork from smudging, ensuring that your hard work stays intact for longer.

Hold the can about 12-14 inches away from the drawing.

Lightly mist the surface, making sure to cover it evenly.

Let it dry completely before touching the paper.

This hack is particularly useful for artists who don’t have access to professional fixatives and want a cost-effective alternative.

8. Tame Your Eyebrows

In a pinch, hair spray can also be used to keep your eyebrows in place. If you’ve run out of brow gel, you can spray a little hair spray onto a clean spoolie brush and comb it through your eyebrows to give them shape and hold.

Spray a small amount of hair spray onto the spoolie or a clean toothbrush.

Gently comb through your eyebrows to set them in place.

This quick fix is perfect for taming unruly brows without making them feel stiff or heavy.

9. Prevent Thread from Unraveling

If you’re sewing or working with fabric, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of thread unraveling. A little spritz of hair spray can prevent the ends of the thread from fraying, making your sewing project a bit easier.

Before threading the needle, spray a tiny amount of hair spray Hair Spray onto the end of the thread.

Let it dry for a few seconds, and you’ll notice that the thread becomes stiffer and easier to work with.

This simple hack can save time and frustration during your DIY projects.

Conclusion

Hair spray is much more than just a styling tool for your hair. Its versatility makes it a valuable addition to your household for a wide variety of purposes. Whether you're removing stains, preserving flowers, or fixing a run in your stockings, hair spray can offer unexpected solutions to everyday problems. So, the next time you reach for your can of hair spray, remember—it’s not just for your hair!