Know an ancient, 4,000 year old Mesopotamian invention we still use today? You guessed it! It’s that can of bubbly white foam that is a staple of bathrooms everywhere. Turns out, there is more to shaving cream than meets the eye. Make this an apartment must-have, especially if you are renting in a pet-friendly community like Camden.

5 SHOCKING USES OF SHAVING CREAM

Use it as a fast-acting carpet cleaner for tough pet stains. It works best on light-colored carpets, such as white or beige. Get a can of shaving cream (not gel) and spray over the spot. Next, grab a damp towel rag and blot in and around the stain. Feel free to scrub for tougher stains but don't scrub outward. Instead, move towards the center to isolate any fluids. Once dry, vacuum up the excess. I recommend wearing some type of gloves (latex or garden) so you don’t have to touch any of those pet accidents. Did you know that this method is also effective on wine?

It is a great lubricant for door hinges.  How do you keep squeaky hinges quiet? If you don’t want the hassle of using a typical lubricant or don’t like the smell of some industrial oil lubricants, take that same can of shaving cream and spray it over the entire hinge. Let it sit and lather for 30 seconds before wiping off the excess. It is such a great idea, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

It is gentle enough for your jewels, yet strong enough to remove paint from your hands. The surfactants (aka surface activating detergents) in shaving cream allow it to be an effective, yet gentle cleaner for fragile surfaces without being corrosive. Spray a small amount directly onto your jewelry and work it into each nook and cranny with a used toothbrush. Wipe clean.  Something this gentle is also very effective on removing paint you accidentally got on your hands. Spray the affected area and scrub your hands for 1-2 minutes. Rinse and wipe clean.

Keep your bathroom shiny and looking brand new! Remember when you first moved into the apartment and everything was spotless? How can you maintain the "just moved-in look?" Shaving cream to the rescue. Amongst its valuable and impressive uses, is the ability to make your faucet chrome shine. I do this at home because there are no stinky fumes or harsh chemicals that dry out my hands. It works extremely well on stubborn soap scum. Have visitors coming over soon and need a quick way to clean up the bathroom? Grab a can and start spraying a layer on the glass mirror and all of your chrome faucets. Scrub with a sponge, or this magic eraser, and massage in the lather to cover all surfaces before rinsing or wiping off with a damp towel. I like to grab a tissue or any dry towel to wipe off the excess water. What surprises me is how water just beads right off the chrome afterwards. Amazing!

Use it to keep the kiddos entertained. This tip was courtesy of fellow blogger, Rachel. Her tip is both educational and fun! Adult supervision is required. Here is how it works:

1. Pick a small surface on your table and grab a flat baking pan with edges to keep the shaving cream from spilling over.

2. Grab that can of fun and spray the entire surface of the baking pan.

3. Now, take your finger and start doodling. The beauty of the foam is your child can start over by adding more shaving cream or spreading it around like an eraser.

4. Make this educational by teaching them to write numbers and show them how to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Interacting with the shaving cream provides a tactile and sensory learning experience that you just can’t get with a pencil and paper.

Want more? Check out Household Hacker's video for more ideas: youtube https://www.youtube.com/v/_g0tNvqKwEs

Want more amazing apartment hacks and tips? *Check out my previous post with tips on affordable home organization. You just might get hooked!