Cosmopolitan magazine has asserted that hairspray is the “must-have product that you aren’t using,” and I completely agree. The ’80s gave hairspray a bad name, but it’s a truly fantastic tool for styling. It comes in a variety of strengths, and newer formulations often include heat protection, shine, and/or UV filters to protect hair color. They are fantastic for setting hair in curls, creating volume with teasing, and there is no better product for locking out humidity.
If hairstyling isn’t enough, the polymers and solvents in hairspray make it a very versatile product. Don’t throw away that can you bought for your last special event! From cleaning to crafting, there are a ton of uses for this wonder product. Click through the slideshow for 22 truly interesting, super practical uses for hairspray — beyond hair.
Note: Hairspray is available in both non-aerosol (pump) and aerosol dispensers. Pump hairspray works well for projects that require a heavier, wetter dose of spray while aerosol dispenses a finer, drier mist that lends itself to coating items evenly. Today’s aerosol cans do not contain chloro-flourocarbons (CFCs) and do not affect the ozone layer so choosing a delivery method is personal preference.
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You may have heard of this one, but it really works. I'm convinced the combination of hairspray and Tide To Go will remove anything.
Photo credit: Aaron Harmon (aaron13251)/Flickr
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Hairspray is less toxic than chemical bug sprays but just as effective at stopping flies, mosquitoes, and even bees.
Photo credit: Dan Foy (orangeacid)/Flickr
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Coat your next evergreen wreath with hairspray. The polymers help seal in moisture to help the greenery last longer.
Photo credit: Tony Alter (tobyotter)/Flickr
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When your kids create a masterpiece or hopscotch board, help it last longer and prevent smudging with a coat of hairspray. This also works for chalk lines used during home improvement.
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Spray a light coat onto shoes after polishing to set the color and help it last longer.
Photo credit: Brett Wood (brettanicus)/Flickr
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Give index cards a couple coats of hairspray to make them spill proof. This works great for recipe cards.
Photo credit: Liz West (Muffet)/Flickr
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I'm not sure I'd dare try this, but I'm told that adding a light coat to the underside of cut flowers help them to last longer by sealing in moisture.
Photo credit: Liz West (muffet)/Flickr
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Follow this tutorial to make your own rub-on transfers using hairspray. You can use the rub-on transfers for scrapbooking, cards, crafts, or for creating a cool design on your nails, like the one above found at Geez...
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Spray hairspray onto a paper towel or rag, then run it over furniture or carpets to easily clean up stubborn pet fur.
Photo credit: Nate Steiner/Flickr
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As this video shows, hold a can of aerosol hairspray a good distance away from nails and lightly coat each nail to help speed drying.
Photo credit: Romina Campos (Berenice Decados)/Flickr
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We all know the clear nail polish trick for pantyhose runs, but hairspray will also do the trick. In fact, you can pre-treat pantyhose with a light coat of hairspray to strengthen fibers and prevent runs in the first place.
Photo credit: Richard Masoner/Cyclelicous
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Have a zipper that keeps falling down? Spray it with hairspray to harden the teeth and prevent wardrobe malfunctions. This trick also works on loose screw and hinges.
Photo credit: Becky Stern (Bekathwia)/Flickr
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If you plan to go leaf hunting with your little ones this fall, spray your finds with hairspray to help preserve their color longer. This also works with dried or pressed flowers.
Photo credit: mksfly/Flickr
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In a pinch, a shot of hairspray to the eyes of an attacker could buy you some time. Learn more at eHow.
Photo credit: Quinn Dombrowski (quinn.anya)/Flickr
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I love to reuse newspapers as gift wrap. Spraying the sheets with a couple light coats of hairspray will strengthen the paper, make the colors pop, and seal the ink so it won't get all over your hands.
Photo credit: Jon S (NS Newsflash)/Flickr
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Spraying curtains with hairspray prior to hanging helps to ward off dust from clinging to the fabric and prevents wrinkles and creases.
Photo credit: nibujohn/Morguefile
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Hairspray helps remove that sticky residue left over when you peel off a sticker or label.
Photo credit: How can I recycle this/Flickr
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If you spill nail polish on a rug or piece of furniture, you will not want to use acetone-based nail polish remover to clean it. Instead, spray the stain with hairspray, let it sit for a minute, then dab with a rag. Repeat until the polish is gone.
Photo credit: Disco-Dan/Flickr
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Spray hairspray on a brush prior to using to prevent a hair-raising experience. You can also use hairspray on the underside of clinging clothing to eliminate static.
Photo credit: popofatticus/Flickr
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Yes, I just made that word up, but hairspray is a great way to coat your craft items with glitter! Coat the item with spray, sprinkle on glitter, shake off excess, and then seal with another coat of hairspray.
Photo credit: Pernilla Rydmark (pernillarydmark)/Flickr
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Kid's non-toxic paints and markers aren't meant to be archival. Coating them with a light spritz of hairspray will help them last longer.
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Don't have a lint roller handy? Spray a little hairspray on a rag and wipe your clothing. The lint will stick to the hairspray and come right off.
Photo credit: Thorsten Hartmann (theHalo)/Flickr