24 Ways To Use Toothpaste Around The House
July 17, 2018
source: Shutterstock / Thrifty Fun
Everyone uses toothpaste to brush their teeth multiple times a day (or at least, I hope you do!). But you probably weren’t aware that toothpaste can be used for tons of different things, both around the house and in daily life. So the next time you see toothpaste on sale, you might want to stock up!
1. Battles Pimples
If you wake up with a stubborn pimple, just reach for the toothpaste! Dab a little on the pimple, and the antiseptic qualities will work to dry it out and reduce the pimple’s size and appearance.
2. Eliminates Shoe Odor
If you’ve got some stinky shoes lying around, wipe some toothpaste onto the soles and let them dry in an airy area. Once the toothpaste has dried, your shoes will be smelling much more fresh.
3. Cleans Headlights
If your vehicle’s headlights are dirty and covered with bugs, create a paste using toothpaste and baking soda. Apply the paste to the headlights with a toothbrush and gently scrub. After rinsing, your headlights should look shiny and new again.
4. Fixes Car Scratches
Speaking of vehicles and toothpaste, you can also use toothpaste to buff away minor car scratches. The abrasive properties in the toothpaste will help to make scratches less noticeable. Just scrub some on, wipe away, then buff with a clean cloth.
5. Polishes Silverware
Run out of silver polisher? No problem. Just use a soft cloth to wipe some toothpaste onto your silverware or other silver items. After you rinse and wipe dry with a clean cloth, your silverware will look shiny and new again.
6. Helps Itchy Mosquito Bites
If you’ve got some nasty, itchy mosquito bites, dab some toothpaste onto them. The antiseptic properties will help them heal, and the toothpaste will bring an immediate cooling sensation to the bites which will stop the itch.
7. Cleans Chrome Fixtures
If you have chrome fixtures in your bathrooms or kitchen, wipe a bit of toothpaste onto them. After you’ve covered the fixture, wipe off and buff with a clean cloth to make them really sparkle.
8. Tackles Permanent Marker Stains
This hack is especially effective for wood surfaces. Just wipe some toothpaste onto the stain, let it sit for a minute or two, then wipe away and the stain should be gone (or at the very least, faded).
9. Covers Drywall Holes
If you’re in a rush to fill drywall holes made by nails or screws and don’t have putty on-hand, just fill them in with some toothpaste! This hack is especially useful for renters.
10. Cleans Tupperware Containers
If your plastic containers are looking old and stained (pasta sauce is usually the culprit!), just scrub them with some toothpaste and rinse. The abrasive texture will help to remove tough stains and grease.
11. Removes Gum From Hair
If you or your child experiences the unpleasant situation of getting gum stuck in your hair, just wipe a glob of toothpaste around the gum. The toothpaste helps eliminate the sugar build-up, which will make removing the gum after a few hours that much easier.
12. Shines Up Diamonds
If your diamond ring or other diamond jewelry is looking a little dull, wipe a tiny amount of toothpaste onto it with a clean cloth. Wipe away all extra residue, then buff with a jewelry cloth. You’ll be blinded by all of that new shine!
13. Removes Fog From Goggles
Any scuba diver will know this trick! To stop swimming goggles from fogging up on you, just wipe a thin layer of toothpaste onto the inside of the lenses. Ta-da!
14. Removes Hair Dye Stains
If you’ve just done a DIY dye job and accidentally gotten hair dye on your clothing, don’t worry. Just rub some toothpaste onto the stain, let it sit, then wash it as you normally would.
15. Removes Carpet Stains
Spilt something on your carpet? If so, there’s no need for professional carpet cleaners. Just rub some toothpaste onto the stain, let it sit, then wipe the toothpaste residue off with a damp cloth.
16. Eliminates Water Stains On Wood
If your wood dining table is filled with those white, hard-to-remove water stains, just dab some toothpaste onto the area, let it sit, then wipe it off. Side note: Mayonnaise will also remove water stains!
17. Cleans Up A DIY Manicure
If you’ve painted your nails and gotten nail polish all over the skin around them, just wipe some toothpaste onto the skin. After a few minutes, use a slightly damp cloth to remove the toothpaste.
18. Hangs Lightweight Art And Posters
This hack is especially useful for renters. You can apply a tiny amount of toothpaste to the back of a poster (or any paper artwork, etc.) to hang it in a pinch. When you go to remove the poster, the wall paint won’t chip or become damaged.
19. Cleans Makeup Stains
Some types of makeup can stain your bathroom countertops when spilled. Just apply a bit of toothpaste to the stain, then wipe it up with a damp cloth. The makeup stain will be gone!
20. Heals Bruises
Trying to reduce the appearance of a nasty, purplish bruise? Just apply a mixture of toothpaste and body lotion to the area, then let it sit overnight. I know it sounds weird, but try this method for a couple of nights and the bruise will heal much faster.
21. Reduces Leather Scratches
If your leather furniture is covered in scratches, gently rub some toothpaste onto them, then wipe off the toothpaste residue with a clean cloth. They may not make the scratches totally disappear, but they will lessen the appearance of them!
22. Cleans Plastic Patio Furniture
If your white plastic patio furniture looks like it has seen better days, just apply a mixture of toothpaste and water to the furniture, then gently scrub at it. Use a cloth to remove the excess solution and your furniture will look like it’s new again.
23. Cleans Keyboards
Simply apply a tiny amount of toothpaste to your finger or a Q-tip, then use it to gently wipe the keys of your keyboard. This will clean them up in no time! Just be sure that you don’t accidentally get toothpaste in the cracks that hold your keys in place.
24. Cleans Hair Straighteners And Curling Irons
If you use one of these hair styling tools regularly, you may notice the barrels get kind of dirty from built-up hair product and other residue. Just use a cloth to apply a small amount of toothpaste to the barrel (when the tool is off and unplugged, of course), then use another clean cloth to wipe the toothpaste off.