Most of us only remove our toothpaste bottle from the medicine cabinet twice a day when brushing our teeth – at least hopefully!
Although it may seem unnecessary to turn to the tube for anything other than oral hygiene, toothpaste can be used for a variety of other things including curing common ailments, household cleaning, and skincare issues.
If you find yourself in any of the following quandaries, consider these seven creative uses for toothpaste:
1. Clear Up Acne
Putting toothpaste on a blemish can help dry out the skin and get rid of an unwanted pimple. However, look for varieties that are not flavored, as those give the best results and diminish the chances of any unwanted reactions.
2. Relieve Irritation and Itchiness
If you have any bug bites, sores, or blisters, you can use toothpaste to help alleviate any discomfort. Toothpaste contains ingredients such as baking soda and menthol, which can help soothe inflammation.
3. Eradicate Smells
If you’ve been cooking with any pungent foods such as garlic, onions, or fish, you can rub some toothpaste on your hands to eliminate any smells. Moisturize your hands with lotion afterwards if the toothpaste dries out your skin.
4. Remove Stains
Using toothpaste is a great way to remove stains in anything from clothing to carpet. Lightly scrub the stain with toothpaste and a damp cloth, or it can also be used on a firm bristle brush and rubbed off. Be careful with whitening toothpaste, as it may bleach the fabric.
5. Polish Silver
Brighten up your silver and brass jewelry with just a bit of toothpaste. Just rub it on like soap, and wipe off like a paper towel. Tartar control toothpaste is said to work best, since it contains the most hydrated silica.
6. Clean Your Iron
If your iron contains any crust or residue, you can wipe it off using some toothpaste and a damp cloth. Just make sure your iron is unplugged and cool before cleaning.
7. Spruce Up Shoes
Got any dirty sneakers? Use an old toothbrush and some toothpaste to scrub the dirt of your shoes. This works especially well for shoes with tarnished white soles, as the toothpaste does a great job of freshening them up.
What creative uses do you have for toothpaste? Share them with us on our Facebook page!