Mouthwash gives you a fresh, clean feeling. It’s an essential part of your oral healthcare routine. But did you know it can be much more than a quick rinse?
Our 10 unusual uses for mouthwash may seem surprising, but this versatile product is more than just a fresh minty feeling. The popular brand Listerine was created as a surgical antiseptic. Many types of mouthwash contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, giving them cleaning and disinfecting capabilities.
1. Freshen up in a hurry
REMEDY DAILY
Sometimes you just don’t have time for a shower. Maybe you need to freshen up a bit after grabbing a quick workout. Remedy Daily recommends wiping a cotton ball moistened with mouthwash over your armpit to eliminate odor and kill bacteria. You can create an emergency refresher kit by filling a small plastic bag with a travel size mouthwash and several cotton balls.
Read more: 8 surprising uses of Listerine
2. Skip the professional pedicure
You can have soft feet without an expensive trip to the nail salon. The Indian Spot guides you step-by-step through creating a safe and effective solution to gently remove rough spots and calluses. All you need is Listerine, apple cider vinegar, water, and a little time to soak.
You can have soft feet without an expensive trip to the nail salon. The Indian Spot guides you step-by-step through creating a safe and effective solution to gently remove rough spots and calluses. All you need is Listerine, apple cider vinegar, water, and a little time to soak.
THE INDIAN SPOT
3. Repel bugs safely
Instead of using harsh chemicals, create a safe mosquito repellent by pouring a minty mouthwash into a spray bottle. Simply spritz on for bug-free playtime outdoors. Mint Juleps ‘n Muddin’ points out that you may need to reapply the mouthwash version more often than traditional bug spray. She also advises you to avoid whitening mouthwashes — they may whiten your clothing.
Instead of using harsh chemicals, create a safe mosquito repellent by pouring a minty mouthwash into a spray bottle. Simply spritz on for bug-free playtime outdoors. Mint Juleps ‘n Muddin’ points out that you may need to reapply the mouthwash version more often than traditional bug spray. She also advises you to avoid whitening mouthwashes — they may whiten your clothing.
MINT JULEPS ‘N MUDDIN’
4. Eliminate ants
The ants keep marching on and on — unless you use this creative solution to kill and repel them from your home. Frugal & Thrifty recommends mixing mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap together in equal parts. Spray it on ant-infested areas and leave it to soak for up to 15 minutes. Wipe up the remaining spray and any ants. The mixture is safe for use in homes with children and pets.
The ants keep marching on and on — unless you use this creative solution to kill and repel them from your home. Frugal & Thrifty recommends mixing mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap together in equal parts. Spray it on ant-infested areas and leave it to soak for up to 15 minutes. Wipe up the remaining spray and any ants. The mixture is safe for use in homes with children and pets.
FRUGAL & THRIFTY
5. Reduce washing machine odors
Washing machines may get your clothes clean, but they get dirty in the process. From musty smells trapped in seals to general grime around the edges, a dirty washing machine won’t perform at it’s best. Try using 1/2 cup antiseptic mouthwash in an empty load cycle to clean and disinfect your washer.
Washing machines may get your clothes clean, but they get dirty in the process. From musty smells trapped in seals to general grime around the edges, a dirty washing machine won’t perform at it’s best. Try using 1/2 cup antiseptic mouthwash in an empty load cycle to clean and disinfect your washer.
6. Disinfect clothes safely
Many people prefer not to use bleach or other harsh chemicals in their laundry, but wonder if their natural products are truly getting their clothes clean. Using 1 cup of mouthwash in a load of dirty clothes helps disinfect and eliminate harmful bacteria from the clothing. Adam Dachis of LifeHacker suggests you choose an antiseptic mouthwash without artificial coloring.
Many people prefer not to use bleach or other harsh chemicals in their laundry, but wonder if their natural products are truly getting their clothes clean. Using 1 cup of mouthwash in a load of dirty clothes helps disinfect and eliminate harmful bacteria from the clothing. Adam Dachis of LifeHacker suggests you choose an antiseptic mouthwash without artificial coloring.
