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Life Hacks

10 Brilliant Uses for Hair Spray

This beauty staple is great to use around the home.

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Hair spray is a lifesaver for adding shine and volume to your hair. But, did you know it can be used in so many other ways around the house? Check out these 10 brilliant uses for getting the most out of a can of hair spray by fixing slippery shoes, pest-proofing your jack-o’-lanterns, and more.

1. Guarantee a pretty bouquet.

The beautiful bunch of autumn flowers you received enlivens your living room coffee table. To help the blooms last as long as possible, try this: Hold a bottle of hair spray 12 inches away from the flowers and spray the underside of the leaves and petals. The hair spray will leave behind a clear film that seals in freshness so flowers don’t fade.

2. Banish sticky price tag residue.

You found a new serving platter for a steal — if only the price tag hadn’t left behind residue when you tried to remove it. The fix: Coat the spot with a layer of hair spray and let sit for 10 minutes. The spray’s alcohol will break down the remaining adhesive so you can just wipe it away with a wet cloth.

3. Prevent a loose screw.

Argh! You recently tightened the screw on the wheel of your office chair, and it’s already loose again. What can help: Tighten the screw the best you can, then coat the screwhead with hair spray. Once it dries, the beauty staple will create a polymer seal that keeps the screw from loosening so your wheel stays in place. Problem solved!

4. Easily lift away pet hair.

Lately, Muffin has been enjoying her naps on the top of your couch, where she has easy access to the view through the window. The problem? Your furniture is covered with her fur and you don’t have a lint brush handy! To remove it in a flash, spray a generous amount of hair spray onto a cloth and immediately use it to dab at the loose hairs. Any strands of fur will cling to the sticky cloth. (Note: Just be sure to test in an inconspicuous spot first.)

5. Tame unruly brows.

If a restless sleep resulted in wayward eyebrows in the morning, try this: Spritz hair spray onto your finger, then gently swipe your finger over each brow (start at the inside corner and work outward). Just like your locks, the hair spray will help hold any wild brow hairs in place.

Related: Best Hair Sprays for Fine Hair

6. Speed up nail drying time.

You’re running late for a meeting but haven’t had time to let the polish dry on your manicure. Hair spray to the rescue! Simply hold the can 6 to 8 inches away from nails; spritz thoroughly. The aerosol will speed drying time, plus create a chip-proof coating!

7. Thread a needle sans the struggle.

You’re all ready to begin sewing the final pieces of your Halloween costume, but you can’t seem to get the pesky thread through the needle. The save: Reach for some hair spray! Simply spritz a little on the thread’s tip before continuing. This will stiffen the fabric so it passes through the eye of the needle with ease.

8. Fix slippery shoes fast.

Your sister’s birthday party is the perfect excuse to sport your new boots, but when you put them on, you discover the bottoms are slick and slippery! The trick to avoiding a mishap: Spray the bottom of each shoe with a layer of hair spray. This will create traction and stop the soles from sliding so you can walk (and enjoy the happy occasion) worry-free.

9. Preserve leaves for crafting.

After seeing your neighbor’s homemade autumn wreath, you decided to follow suit and create your own. To preserve real leaves before using them: First, pat them dry with a towel or cloth until all of the moisture is gone. Then cover all in hair spray on both sides. The spray coats leaves so they don’t turn brown and stiffens them so they’re easy to incorporate into your crafting project while ensuring they won’t wilt.

10. Pest-proof a pumpkin.

Your jack-o’-lanterns look fantastic this year, and you can’t wait to display the festive gourds on your porch. To keep them safe from hungry critters like squirrels, apply a generous coat of hair spray to the outside. Animals dislike the strong smell and sticky texture, so they’ll avoid touching it. (Note: Reapply after it rains for best protection.)

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

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