Shaving cream makes our arms and legs silky smooth, but it also has several other uses. This shower essential works wonders around the house, whether you need to untie a stubborn zipper or get rid of pet stains. Here are 10 brilliant uses for shaving cream that make everyday tasks easier.
1. Eliminate pencil marks on the walls.
Oops! One rainy afternoon, your little artist decided to put her drawing skills to the test – on your wall. An easy way to remove pencil residue: cover the marks with shaving cream, let sit for three minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth. Foam’s concentrated soaps will quickly dissolve wax marks, leaving your wall spotless.
2. Volumize hair in a snap.
Styling your hair in beachy waves for a pool party only to find you don’t have any volumizing mousse? Opt for shaving cream! Simply work a small amount into damp locks and style as usual. The polymers in the cream will create a soft, non-sticky volumizing texture for an effortless effect that wows!
3. Peel off a stubborn zipper.
You are about to spend an evening outside gazing at the stars, but when you put on your jacket, the zipper does not move. The Economy: Rub a dab of shaving cream on the zipper teeth. The cream works as a lubricant, making it easy to pull the zipper up and down. You’ll be out looking at the sky in no time!
4. Make sure swimming goggles are fog free.
Your glasses are essential when wearing contact lenses, but they often fog up and obscure your vision. To avoid this, spray a generous amount of shaving cream on the inside and outside of the lenses. Let stand one minute; Clean with a soft rag. The shaving cream will leave a transparent coating that will prevent moisture from accumulating on the lenses of the glasses.
5. Prevent a hinge from squeaking.
Does the front door make an irritating creak every time you open it? Silence it by spraying a small amount of shaving cream on an old toothbrush, then brush the cream into the hinge cracks and crevices. The glycerin in the cream acts as a lubricant while the lanolin seals in the moisture of the glycerin.
6. Get a shiny trash can.
The trick to a sparkling stainless steel trash can: pour shaving cream onto a soft, clean cloth, then wipe it all over. The surfactants and emulsifiers in the cream work as gentle cleaning agents to remove grime and polish steel without leaving streaks like dripping soap.
7. Prevent pet stains from settling.
Eek! Buster had a little accident on your carpet, and you’re out of carpet cleaner. To the rescue: shaving cream! Simply cover the spot with cream and let it sit. After 15 minutes, use a towel soaked in hot water to rub the stain. The glycerin and alcohol in the shaving cream will dissolve the stain, so your carpet will look and smell fresh. (Just be sure to test the cream on a small area of the mat first.)
8. Revitalize a baseball glove.
You pulled out your old baseball glove for the little one in your life, but it got a little stiff. The fix: Use a clean cloth to rub shaving cream into the center of the glove until it’s completely coated. Then place a baseball inside and use a rubber band to keep the glove closed around the ball overnight; wipe off any excess in the morning. The lanolin in the shaving cream softens the leather, allowing the ball to reshape it for a more supple hold.
9. Soothe a sunburn quickly.
Ouch! Even after lathering yourself with sunscreen, you still managed to get a sunburn! For pain relief without buying expensive lotions, gently massage a dollop of menthol-infused shaving cream into red skin. The menthol helps eliminate heat from a sunburn while the cooling sensation of the foam provides instant relief. Ah… that’s better!
10. Dissolving hand paint.
The paint and sip party you threw was such a blast! But your hands are now covered in dried paint and the soap just won’t cut it. Shaving cream can wash it off easily! Simply apply a thick layer of cream to hands and rub into skin. Then rinse immediately with lukewarm water. The shower clip will help break down pigments in paints so they can be easily washed away with water.
This article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for women.
