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How to Get Hairspray Off of Woodwork

Tiny droplets of hairspray become airborne as you spray freshly styled hair. While the hairspray isn't noticeable at first, the spray stains become more apparent when they buildup. Hairspray contains chemicals that result in a sticky residue on your wood surfaces. Left unattended, hairspray can become a stain and dirt magnet on the wood surfaces in your household. You can remove the sticky hairspray buildup but must use cleaning supplies and techniques that don't harm the woodwork.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean cloths
  • Liquid fabric softener
  • Bucket
  • Oil-based wood soap
  • Wood polish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Moisten a clean cloth with hot water. Add three or four drops of liquid fabric softener to the cloth.

    • 2

      Wipe the hairspray stains on the woodwork. The heat and fabric softener help soften the sticky buildup, making it easier to remove.

    • 3
      Oil-based soap cleans wood without drying it out.

      Fill a bucket with 1 quart of warm water. Add oil-based soap as directed on the packaging.

    • 4

      Saturate a clean cloth with the oil-soap solution. Wring out the cloth so it's damp, but not dripping.

    • 5

      Scrub the woodwork with the grain of the wood to remove softened hairspray stains. Rinse the woodwork with a damp cloth before drying it.

    • 6
      It's important to keep woodwork moist.

      Rub a pea-sized amount of wood polish into the woodwork to replenish moisture. Buff excess polish off with a dry cloth.