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9 Ways to Use Cooking Spray That Aren’t Cooking

PAM spray cans of Original canola oil blend on a shelf.
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Cooking spray is a kitchen staple known for its ability to prevent food from sticking to pans and grills. However, this versatile product has a range of surprising uses beyond the realm of cooking.

From household hacks to simple solutions for everyday challenges, here are 9 nonstick spray uses you didn’t know about.

Lubricate Your Lawn Mower Blades

Man pulling chain to start lawnmower
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Mowing the lawn becomes easier with a well-lubricated mower that doesn’t become clogged with grass clippings. Cooking spray can help prevent grass clippings from sticking to the blades.

When it comes to how to use cooking spray on your lawn mower, things are simple. Before mowing, simply coat the blades with a light layer of cooking spray. This will help your mower glide smoothly across your lawn, giving you a cleaner, neater cut.

Mo Deck Non Stick Mower Blade

You can always stock up on non-stick mower blade spray to make your mowing easier.

De-Squeak Your Bike Chain

A person adjusts the bike chain on a bike.
volodimirbazyuk/Shutterstock.com

If you’ve been avoiding riding your bike because of the squeaky bike chain, then it’s time to stop avoiding the issue. Grab your can of cooking spray and get ready to enjoy bike riding again!

Simply spray a small amount of cooking spray on the chain of your bike, wiping off any excess. The oil will help get everything moving again.

Anndason 8 Pieces Precision Bicycle Cleaning Kit

Good bicycle maintenance begins with a good clean.

Prevent Snow Buildup on Shovels

Person shoveling snow with a red snow shovel.
Anna_Kuzmina/Shutterstock.com

When shoveling snow, the accumulation of snow and ice on the shovel can slow you down. To combat this, coat your shovel with a layer of cooking spray before heading out to clear snow. The nonstick spray will prevent snow from sticking to the shovel, making your task more efficient.

Suncast 20 Combination Snow Shovel

Getting a snow shovel that's easy to push rather than lift will save your muscles during snow season.

Remove Sticky Labels

A jar covered in sticker residue.
Rebeca Bolanos/Shutterstock.com

Removing adhesive labels and stickers can often leave behind a nasty, sticky residue. To tackle this, spray cooking oil directly onto the sticker before attempting to remove it. Let it sit for a few minutes before gently rubbing it with a cloth or scraping it away.

Always be considerate of the surface under the sticker when attempting to remove them. Don’t use anything that will scratch or damage it.

EHDIS Plastic Razor Scraper

Keep a scraper in your toolbox for those stubborn stickers.

Remove Crayon Marks from Walls

Curly child drawing with crayon color on the wall.
KayaMe/Shutterstock.com

Kids’ creative endeavors can sometimes lead to unexpected artwork on walls. When crayon marks appear, don’t stress out or start looking for a can of pain. Simply spray a bit of nonstick spray on a cloth and gently rub the crayon marks. The oil in the spray will help lift the crayon off the wall, making cleaning a breeze.

Crayola 64ct Washable

Washable crayons are a great way to reduce the number of stubborn wall stains.

Silence Squeaky Hinges

A door hinge on a white door.
Vladeep/Shutterstock.com

Annoying door hinge squeaks quickly disrupt the peace and quiet in your home. Cooking spray can come to the rescue here too.

Spray a small amount of cooking oil on the hinge pin and work the door back and forth to distribute the oil. The lubrication will eliminate the squeak, allowing you to enjoy quiet moments.

WD-40 Multi-Use Product

Break down sticky residue and silence squeaky hinges without damaging any surfaces.

Shine Stainless Steel Appliances

Woman wipes the front of a stainless steel fridge.
Andriiii/Shutterstock.com

Stainless steel appliances can accumulate fingerprints and smudges, making them lose their shine. To restore their sparkle, spray a small amount of cooking oil on a microfiber cloth and buff the stainless steel surfaces.

This will not only remove fingerprints but also leave a protective layer that helps repel future smudges.

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish

Keep all your stainless steel polished and sparkly with some gentle cleaner.

Conquer Soap Scum

Person cleans a bathtub while wearing gloves.
Serhii Krot/Shutterstock.com

If you’ve been searching for a solution to the soap scum buildup in your bathroom, you’ve now got another way to use cooking spray. Nonstick spray can work wonders against mineral deposits like these.

Simply spray any areas of soap scum with a generous amount of cooking spray then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrub the area with a brush and rinse. Repeat as necessary until your bathroom is sparking again.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

If cooking spray isn't enough, you can always use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on stubborn stains.

Arts and Crafts

Close up of a person's hand holding a paint brush.
encierro/Shutterstock.com

If you love painting, pottery, or other types of arts and crafts, cooking spray can come in handy. A light coat of cooking spray on your hands will help keep materials from sticking to your fingers.

Cooking spray can also help undo knots if you make macrame art and it can help rejuvenate wood if you enjoy flipping furniture!

Caliart Acrylic Paint Set

This paint set has everything you need to start making adorable paintings and crafts.


Cooking spray’s nonstick and lubricating properties make it a versatile tool for various household tasks. These creative uses showcase only some of the many ways cooking spray can be used as your go-to solution beyond the kitchen.

Abbey Ryan Abbey Ryan
Abbey Ryan is a storyteller, preferably of stories in written form. Across the 5 years of her professional writing career, her work has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, Amazon, The Medical News Today, and more. When she's not writing (which is rare), she's likely traveling, painting, or on the hunt for a good snack. Read Full Bio »
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