How to Remove Hair Spray Stains from the Wall

Hairspray stains make walls surfaces appear dingy.

Spraying hairspray near walls can cause their surfaces to develop unsightly stains. Hairsprays contain polymers and solvents that produce sticky, oily residue on walls. As with all stains, hairspray residue becomes harder to clean off the longer it remains on wall surfaces. The polymers in hairspray residue stiffen and increase their bond to walls over time. Promptly remove hairspray stains to restore the wall's appearance and prevent the residue from becoming more arduous to clean later.

Things You'll Need

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Liquid dish soap
• Bowl
• Clean microfiber cloth
• Clean nonabrasive sponge
• Clean microfiber towel

Instructions

1. Pour 1/4 cup of isopropyl alcohol, 1/2 cup of water and a drop of liquid dish soap into a bowl. Mix the solution until the ingredients are completely dissolved.

2. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth in the solution. Wipe the dampened cloth over the affected portion of the wall to evenly distribute the solution over the hairspray stain. Leave the solution on the wall for one minute.

3. Scrub the wall with the cloth until the hairspray stain is completely removed. Use a clean section of the cloth.

4. Examine the wall for remaining sticky residue. If necessary, moisten a clean nonabrasive sponge with plain isopropyl alcohol. Scrub the sponge over the wall until the residue is completely removed.

5. Wipe a clean microfiber towel over the wall until the surface is completely dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Stand at least 5 feet from walls when using hairspray to prevent them from becoming stained.

• Test the solution and isopropyl alcohol on a hidden, inconspicuous area of the wall before using to make sure they don't discolor the wall.

References

• General Chemistry Online: What is Hairspray Made of?
• Good Housekeeping: How to Remove Hairspray Residue from Wood
• Real Simple: How Do I Clean Hair-Spray Residue Off My Walls?