That can of hairspray in your bathroom cabinet isn’t just for taming flyaway pieces of hair or helping set your style for a night out. It can also be helpful to tackle certain problems around the house. Armed with the styling product, you can remove stains, clean up pet dander, and even extend the life of your flowers. You’ll appreciate the versatility of hairspray so much that you’ll always want to have a can of it available. 

Hairspray is available in two formulations: aerosol and non-aerosol, the latter of which has more water content. Both versions feature the core ingredients of polymers, which act as holding agents, along with solvents and additives. Aerosol varieties also use propellants to help force the mist out when you press the nozzle. Today, both varieties can help us tackle some of the most common household problems. Remember, while using hairspray, to be careful around an open flame. Hairspray is flammable when wet and should always be used in areas with good ventilation. With that in mind, here are some must-try hacks for that can of hairspray.

We love our furry friends, but there’s no denying they can definitely leave fur all around the house. If you’re facing a mound of cat or dog hair covering your couch or chair, tackle it with a can of hairspray. Spray a quick blast on a soft cloth, such as microfiber, or a pair of rubber gloves, then run it over the surface. The hairspray’s powerful hold will grab onto the hair, leaving you with a cleaner surface. It’s also a handy way to remove any built-up lint as well. 

Do you have a zipper that keeps falling down on a piece of clothing? Apply a bit of hairspray on the zipper’s teeth to keep it from sliding down. The friction the hairspray creates will help hold the zipper in place. Washing the item of clothing in the laundry will clean away the hairspray, so remember to reapply it after each wash.

Hairspray could be the unlikely household product that may eliminate spiders. While you shouldn’t use hairspray consistently to kill spiders, the styling product is great in a pinch because it contains dimethyl silicone, which affects the exoskeleton. Many species, such as the crevice spider, are beneficial, so you should only use this on wolf spiders, black widows, and other spiders that might have a painful bite. You can also spray their webs to prevent them as you find them.

Next time you try creating rustic DIY decor with wood, try this hack for an aged, chipped appearance to store-bought wood. After applying your stain or base paint (if desired), spray the new wood piece with a pump or aerosol hairspray, making sure to fully coat it well. After the spray dries, go over it with a paintbrush with a treatment of acrylic paint. When the acrylic paint dries, it will begin to show the wood underneath with a weathered and crackled effect.

Did you pick up a vase or other decorative object with a price written on it at the thrift store? Secondhand stores often mark their prices in bold ink, but you can use a bit of hairspray to wipe that mark clean so you can display it with pride. Another lifesaver for parents is that you can use hairspray to scrub away the permanent marker “art project” off your walls, floors, or even sofas if your kid gets hold of a loose marker. Spray it on a towel, then wipe the surface clean. 

When working on crafts involving felt, especially florals, you might find that the material is too soft to shape easily. Try this trick from felt florists: add structure with a spray of unscented hairspray. Coat your felt pieces well with the spray, then let them dry. Just like when you spray too much in your hair, the material will get that stiff, hard feeling, making it a little easier to sculpt while you craft.

If you regularly have wildlife nibbling at your porch’s pumpkins and gourds, use a coat of hairspray to make it less tasty. The animals, including squirrels, will detest the sticky sensation they get when taking a bite of your pumpkin. Want your jack-o’-lantern to continue looking great after carving? You can also use the spray to preserve your Halloween pumpkin for a little longer. 

Don’t strain your eyes when you’re trying to thread a sewing needle. Spraying the end of the thread with hairspray stiffens it so it’s easy to keep upright. The styling spray also helps corral those small frays that can be at the end of the thread. Avoid using this hack on a needle on a sewing machine, however, as you don’t want to coat it with unnecessary buildup.

Are nuisance flies buzzing around you? Hairspray will take care of them. Shake a bottle of hairspray, then gently mist in the flies’ direction. The mist will coat their wings, making it so they can’t fly. This is a great alternative to stinky, heavy pest sprays, especially if you have pets or small children. Just be careful you don’t spray anywhere near food, and avoid getting the spray in anyone’s eyes.

After you or your kids have created a chalk masterpiece, how do you keep it from smudging? Hairspray is a cheap and easy fixative. Spray a light coat over the art and let it dry to prevent smudging. This tip also applies to chalk pastels and other art materials, such as graphite. It’s great for use in an art journal because it helps the artwork not smear between the pages.

You bought a bouquet of beautiful cut roses a few days ago, and already they’re looking a little ragged. Next time you get cut flowers, use hairspray to make them look fresh for longer. Hairspray is particularly beneficial for preserving hydrangeas. Spray the flowers from a few inches away, being sure to hit the petals from all angles. Let them dry upside down, then return them to their vase.

Cleaning up spilled glitter is no fun, but hairspray can reduce the chances you need to during crafting sessions. Before you apply the glitter, mist the surface. The hairspray will form a sticky base for it to adhere to, then after you finish adding the glitter, you can use another coat to seal it. This is a great way to prevent runaway glitter from Christmas ornaments or decorations from ending up all over your home.

Have a screw that won’t stay put? Loose screws are not only annoying, but they can also make a piece of furniture unsteady or dangerous. Tighten the screw as much as possible, then spray generously over the screw with your hairspray. The same hold-tight polymers that work for your hair will now work their magic on the screw as they create a firm bond around the hardware.

That beautiful shade of red lipstick looks great on your lips, but not so much on your clothing! If you have a lipstick stain, hairspray can help lift it right out of the machine-washable fabrics. First, hit the stain with the hairspray then blot after a few minutes. Remove all of the color you can, then toss in the washing machine like normal. Don’t forget to test the hairspray on an inconspicuous part of the clothing.