Toothpaste, it turns out is not just for your teeth. It has varied uses from medicinal to cleaning to deodorizer in the event of a battle between you or your pet and a skunk. Here are more ways to use toothpaste in the home.
Medicinal and therapeutic uses
Relief for a stinging burn
The next time you have a small burn on your wrist or finger, apply some toothpaste for a soothing, cooling solution.
Burns – Here Are A Few Tips To Use In Case Of Emergencies
Treat poison ivy stings
It also works for skin rashes and stings such as poison ivy. Apply toothpaste to the affected area and let it rest for 10 minutes then wash away. If necessary, repeat until the stinging stops.
Clear spots and zits quickly
This is an old trick that works. Apply toothpaste to pimples. This dehydrates the pimple and absorbs its oil. Leave it overnight and wash it off the next morning.
Keep nails strong and clean
Apply some paste to a toothbrush and use it to gently scrub your nails. It not only cleans them but also strengthens them. This is recommended only for people with healthy nails. If your nails are dry and prone to cracking, this way of cleaning them may worsen them.
Tips On How To Maintain Strong And Healthy Nails
Reduce the appearance of bruises
If you have a nasty bruise you’re trying to get rid of, toothpaste can help accelerate the healing. Mix your skin lotion with some toothpaste. Apply the solution to the bruise and cover it with a large band-aid so that it does not stain sheets. Leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning. Repeat nightly until the bruise subsides.
Remove gum from hair
Should you suffer the misfortune of having gum stuck to your hair or more likely your child’s hair, toothpaste is the answer. Apply some to the gum and it will make it easier to remove.
Cleaning up messy dye patches
Dye has a nasty habit of getting on the skin especially the ears. Dab a little toothpaste on affected areas to remove the spots and clean the hairline.
Cleaning
Baby bottles
Baby bottles can retain a sour milk smell. Use some toothpaste in place of dish soap, scrub and rinse thoroughly. This also works for thermoses.
Hand deodorizer
You can also use it as a hand deodorizer. Remove the stench of onions, fish, garlic, and other foods with strong odours. Just rub a dab on your skin, scrubbing briefly before rinsing.
Carpet stains
Squeeze some paste directly onto the carpet stain and scrub using an old toothbrush. Rinse and repeat until the stain disappears. This also works on clothes. While it may not work on all stains, it is particularly effective on ink and shirt-collar stains.
Iron cleaner
Toothpaste is one way of removing the gunk that builds up on the iron’s soleplate. Make sure the iron is cool and unplugged. Wipe toothpaste on a cloth and scrub the soleplate. Wipe it off with a clean cloth.
Lifestyle: 10 Tips For Cleaning And Maintenance Of Your Iron
Cellphone screens
Cellphones develop lots of little scratches over the front screen. Cover a fingertip in toothpaste and lightly rub it over the scratched areas. Rinse with a damp cloth and leave to dry.
Crayon on painted walls
A child with crayons will almost certainly find a wall. Rub a damp cloth and some toothpaste on your child’s masterpiece then rinse with a wet cloth and let it dry.
Piano keys
Over time, piano ivories can become discoloured. Rub each key with a damp cotton swab with a touch of toothpaste. It will take time but your piano keys will be restored at the end of the gruelling process.
Patio furniture
Use a mixture of water and toothpaste with a brush and some elbow grease for the perfect patio furniture shine.
Polishing and shining jewellery
Toothpaste has a way of making jewellery shine. Just scrub your silver, diamond, and even brass with toothpaste using a soft bristle toothbrush. Don’t use this technique on pearls.
Repair marks on leather items
Over time, leather develops scuffs, marks, or scratches that can be unsightly. Apply some paste to a soft cloth and rub it on the affected area.
How to take care of your leather items
Tennis shoes
Use a brush to rub toothpaste onto the scuffed soles of athletic shoes. Wipe with a damp cloth and let it dry. If the shoes are white, use a whitening toothpaste for added brightness.
Bathroom sinks
Bathroom cleaning hack. Next time you drop a glob of toothpaste into the sink, don’t rinse it down. Scrub it around with an old toothbrush. The natural abrasive works like other cleansers and deodorizes the drain at the same time.
This works for other sinks as well. Squeeze a line of toothpaste out and around the rim of the sink in your kitchen. Let it rest for a minute. Then turn on the tap and let the toothpaste get directed down the drain. It should coat the inside of the pipe with a pleasant smell
Chrome
Use some paste to remove water spots on bathroom faucets. Apply a dab of paste, rub it in and rinse.
Coffee table water rings
Use toothpaste to remove water stains and marks on furniture. Apply some paste to a soft cloth and scrub it gently Wipe it off with a dry cloth.
DVDs and CDs
Do you still have those? If you do and it is skipping, use toothpaste to help smooth out the scratches and restore its performance. It works for shallow marks and scuffs, not the deeper scratches. Just apply a thin layer of paste to the shiny surface. Using your fingertips, stroke the toothpaste gently so that it moves slowly to the outer edges of the disk. Rinse with cold water. Make sure to run in circular motions from the inside out. Apply back and forth gestures and do not apply too much pressure.
Nail holes
Toothpaste is the poor man’s filling agent. Use it to fill in any unsightly holes left by wall hooks. Mix it with eyeshadow or food colouring to better match the wall.
Car scratches
Toothpaste can hide minor car damage. Just apply a dab to a damp sponge and rub it in a circle then wipe it off with a soft cloth. You can also use it on hazy scratched headlights. Clean the headlights then rub a glob on it until it clears.
Refrigerator seals
The dirt that collects in the folds of the refrigerator seals can be a pain to clean. Take an old toothbrush covered in paste and use it to clean the folds and other hard-to-reach spaces.
Skunk-spray deodorizer
If you’re cat or dog ever gets into it with a skunk, wet them and rub them down with toothpaste. Let it sit for a few minutes then rinse them off. Full disclosure it will not be easy but the fluoride will soak up the majority of the stench which is a win.
Check out
Lifestyle: 22 Different Uses Of Baking Soda Around The House
7 Surprising Uses Of Aspirin You Should Know About
