Toothpaste has a variety of uses beyond just cleaning teeth. It can effectively clean, repair, and freshen many items around the house. From removing scratches on phones and cars to eliminating odors from shoes, thermoses, and hands, toothpaste can be a versatile solution. It can also clean headlights, keys, mirrors, jewelry, coins, and bathroom fixtures while removing stains caused by beverage mugs, ink spills, permanent markers, or crayons. Additionally, toothpaste can provide relief from bug bites, poison ivy, and minor burns. It is truly a miracle product that can assist with almost any household emergency. Keep reading to learn more about how toothpaste can solve many problems around the house.
Remove Scuffs From Shoes
To remove scuff marks from your shoes, you can use white, non-gel toothpaste which is gentle and doesn’t contain any heavy chemicals or whitening agents. Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste on a soft cloth and use it to gently polish your shoes until the scuff marks disappear.
In case gentle cleaning through a cloth does not work, attempt using an old toothbrush for resilient scuff marks. Following this, wipe it off with a damp cloth and leave it to air-dry, ideally in indirect sunlight.
Get Rid of Carpet Stains
As you may have noticed, toothpaste can be used as a household cleaner. In case you have stained carpets, apply toothpaste directly on the affected area and clean it thoroughly with a previously used toothbrush. Finally, rinse the spot.
It may be necessary to repeat the procedure a couple of times since carpet stains are particularly challenging to remove, particularly if they have been present for a long time. There’s no need to feel ashamed about that noticeable carpet stain in the center of your room the next time visitors arrive!
Clear Foggy Goggles
Have you ever wondered why professional swimmers have a toothpaste tube with them? It’s because toothpaste can prevent your goggles from getting foggy due to its ability to prevent condensation. This helpful tip can make your swim experience better than ever!
Clean Piano Keys
Over time, the white color of your piano keys will fade and become yellow if they are not properly covered. In order to restore the white color to yellowing ivory keys, you can use a gentle method involving white toothpaste. Simply apply the toothpaste and buff the keys for a few minutes, then wipe away the residue with a clean cloth that has been soaked in whole milk. Finally, be sure to dry the keys immediately.
Make sure to use only toothpaste that is white in color because using gel or colored toothpaste can damage the fragile enamel. The whitening component in white toothpaste should effectively restore the whiteness of your piano keys.
Dry Out Pimples
If you’re feeling upset due to a sudden breakout on your skin before an upcoming outing, a possible solution is to apply toothpaste on your most inflamed pimples and leave it on for two hours to help them dry out quickly. It is important to select white, organic toothpaste with low fluoride content that doesn’t contain teeth-whitening ingredients.
Examine the contents list for baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or triclosan, as they can be effective. However, be careful when attempting this remedy since using abrasive toothpaste may cause skin irritation, aggravating your acne.
Make Jewelry Sparkle
If you’re searching for a secure way to clean your jewelry at home, don’t underestimate the power of toothpaste. Take a toothbrush that is not in use and squeeze out some white, non-gel toothpaste. Then, lightly rub your jewelry with the toothpaste until it shines.
Not only does toothpaste have a cleansing effect on your teeth, but it also possesses the capability to eliminate blemishes from silver. By utilizing toothpaste to clean your jewelry, follow up by rinsing it with warm water and using a gentle cloth to restore its shiny appearance.
Remove Dye Stains
If you’ve ever dyed your hair, you’re familiar with the problem of dye stains on your skin near the application site. To remove these stains, apply non-gel toothpaste on a piece of cotton and rub it gently on the affected area. You’ll notice the dye fading away as if by magic!
Allow the toothpaste to remain on the surface for a brief period before rinsing it away with a moist, heated cloth. The utilization of toothpaste is a simple and effective approach to address coloring stains, and the best part is that you can perform it right within your bathroom without having to leave.
Remove Build-up From Irons
If your clothes are getting dirtier when ironing than they are getting straightened, it is an indication that it’s time to clean the soleplate. This is necessary to prevent any mineral buildup that may cause your clothes to become grimy. To clean your iron, wait for it to cool down before applying some white toothpaste on the plate and wiping it off using a damp cloth.
To ensure thorough removal of any buildup, use an old towel or clean cloth to place your iron on and produce steam for a while after filling the tank with water. Then, wipe away the toothpaste with a clean cloth.
Repair Minor Car Scratches
One way to reduce the appearance of a car scratch is to gently rub toothpaste on it with a cloth. The toothpaste can smooth out the rough area of the scratch. However, before attempting this method, it’s important to thoroughly clean the car to ensure there is no debris on its surface.
To make the car clean, you can take a bucket and fill it with water. Then, use a cloth to wipe off the dirt from the car. Afterwards, apply toothpaste onto a soft cloth and apply it onto the scratch in a circular motion until the gaps are filled and there is no residue left. By using some effort and toothpaste, this can be done easily.
Clean a Mirror
The ‘Wipe It Down’ challenge on TikTok has become very popular lately on social media platforms. You can apply the same toothpaste cleaning method you use for other bathroom surfaces to clean your mirror. Simply wet a cloth and put toothpaste on it, then use it to rub your bathroom mirror.
There’s no need to panic if it appears that you have made a new mess. All you have to do is dampen a paper towel with water, clean the mirror and ta-da! You don’t need to strain your eyes to see yourself in the morning anymore.
Remove Ink Stains
If your pen leaked and stained your pants, there’s no need to worry. Just go to your bathroom and get the toothpaste you keep there. Lay a fresh cloth underneath the stain.
Afterward, apply a generous amount of white, non-gel toothpaste to the ink stain and massage it into the fabric. You will notice the ink gradually disappearing. Rinse off the toothpaste with cold water and repeat the technique until the ink stains are nearly gone.
Seal an Envelope
Toothpaste can also be used to seal an envelope due to its adhesive qualities that are familiar to those who have used it before. However, it is important to note that if the intended recipient delays opening the envelope, the toothpaste may dry up and become powdery.
An occurrence took place at Ohio University where a prisoner, lacking glue, utilized toothpaste for sealing his envelope containing his application and related documents. However, this incident scared one employee so much that they panicked, resulting in the temporary removal of all staff members.
Polish Your Silver
It is advisable to use the toothpaste you have at home instead of purchasing a product specifically for polishing silver. After washing the silver, simply apply white toothpaste onto it and gently rub it in while it is moist.
As you rub the silver, you will notice that the white toothpaste changes to black. Once you finish, it is recommended that you allow the toothpaste to sit on the silver for two minutes before rinsing it off, unless you are too eager to behold the significant improvement in shine.
Smooth Out Scratches On Your Phone
We have discussed how scratches can be eliminated from your CD and car, and now the same technique can be applied to your phone. However, if your phone screen has significant cracks, this method may not be effective.
The toothpaste works proficiently in eradicating small scratches. Apply a small amount of toothpaste on a cotton swab and rub it gently on the affected area using circular motions. The toothpaste should fill in the scratch and cover it up.
Remove Water Stains
Do you feel distressed seeing stubborn water marks on your wooden furniture? Do you want to know a quick fix for this problem? Simply use white toothpaste on a soft cloth and gently rub on the affected area until the water stain caused by drip marks is removed.
Make sure to dry the wood completely prior to using furniture polish on it. This way, you won’t have to worry about condensation ruining your furniture when you place a cold drink on it.
Clean Old Coins
Unless you have a hobby of collecting coins, it’s unlikely that you have thought about cleaning them. Nonetheless, as the years go by, coins can accumulate a layer of dirt that alters their appearance.
If you want to see the appearance of a recently made coin, you may try using toothpaste to rub it gently. However, it is important to note that toothpaste has high abrasiveness, and if you scrub too hard, it may cause the coin to look artificial.
Hang Paper Posters
You’ve just bought some great posters! You can’t wait to decorate your rooms with them, but you are renting your apartment, and don’t want to put holes in the walls by using tacks! Did you know toothpaste is sticky enough to act as glue?
Just apply a very thin layer of toothpaste on the corners of your posters and stick them to the wall! Make sure to use regular white toothpaste so it doesn’t discolor your walls.
Block Out Any Smells
You know how toothpaste magically removes all bad breath as soon as your brush with it? That’s because it is so great at blocking out smells. Toothpaste contains sodium fluoride and triclosan, which are known to kill bacteria in your mouth.
Toothpaste also often has a mind mint flavor, which leaves you with fresh breath. So, other than your breath, you can block out foul smells from small objects such as bowls and containers. It can even deodorize baby bottles!
Revive a White Keyboard
If you have Apple’s iMac or a backlit gaming keyboard with mechanical switches, your keyboard is likely to look dirty often. Ideally, you would clean keyboards using a damp lint-free microfiber cloth, but if you can’t find yours and your keyboard really needs a quick wipe to remove all the accumulated grime, you can clean it with toothpaste.
Ensure that it is disconnected before applying a small dab of white toothpaste to a soft cloth and gently buffing each stained key.
Banish Coffee Rings in a Flash
Coffee doesn’t just stain your teeth, it also stains your coffee table! It took physicists a while to figure out why coffee rings occur in the first place, but now that we know, we have been able to figure out how to get rid of them as well.
If you just can’t remember to use coasters and some coffee rings have formed on your coffee table, try rubbing some non-gel toothpaste on the table’s surface with a soft cloth. It should come right off with some elbow grease.
Clean Your Thermos
If you own a canister, you must know the musty odor it develops over time, reminiscent of mold and mildew. This happens if you leave fragrant savory liquids such as soups or stews in it too long. We all dislike drinking out of a stinky thermos, so here’s a way to make it smell minty fresh.
Add some plain white toothpaste to your thermos and fill it with water before shaking it around vigorously. Wash as you would normally afterward. How clean does your thermos smell now?
Remove Nail Polish Stains
Did your nail polish came right off with some remover, but seems to have left some stubborn stains behind that just won’t go? Here’s an easy way to remove them! Start by filling a bowl with water and lemon slices. Soak your hands in this solution for a few minutes until your nails have softened.
Then, put a dollop of toothpaste on an old toothbrush and start gently scrubbing your nails. Let the toothpaste sit on your nails for a minute or two before washing it off.
Clean Up Spilled Makeup
You open your eyeshadow palette, only to see broken eyeshadow fall like loose powder out of the container and on to your dressing table. You immediately groan. It’s hard enough to remove waterproof makeup from your face. You don’t want to think about how much harder it is going to be to remove it from the surface of bedroom vanities.
Before you panic, grab your toothpaste and try wiping away that lipstick smudge or pigmented foundation with a dime-sized amount of it!
Relieve Bug Bites, Sores and Blisters
You’ve just got a mosquito bite, and the itch is unbearable. You don’t have to grit your teeth and silently tolerate it! Fight that annoying itch by putting a thin film of toothpaste over and around the bite.
Regular white toothpaste is often flavored with menthol and mint, which can act as a cooling agent, producing a soothing sensation capable of distracting you from the itch. It should relieve the irritation at least a little. Who knew toothpaste was an easy bug bite relief solution?
Repair Marks on Leather
We have already seen that toothpaste can clean cotton and canvas, but did you know that it can also clean leather? Dampen a soft cloth with warm water and clean the leather. Next, rub some toothpaste on to a dry cloth and gently scrub the leather until any annoying stains have vanished.
Wipe the area with a clean cloth when finished, then remove remaining moisture with a towel before letting it air dry. Make sure you are using non-gel toothpaste. For more stubborn stains, use a soft toothbrush instead of a clean cloth.
Soothe a Minor Burn
Minor burns can be cooled by putting a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on them. It contains cooling ingredients that can distract you from the pain temporarily. Run cold water over the burn for a few minutes before gently spreading a small dab of toothpaste over the injury.
While your burn is soothed by the toothpaste, you can seek out more permanent remedies. Caution: Only use this method for the most minor burns! Putting toothpaste on a serious burn might only exacerbate the condition.
De-scuff Your Linoleum
Linoleum is known as great floor covering, but did you know that it was made of canvas coated with linseed oil and powdered cork? This thick coating allows it to withstand a lot of foot traffic without wear and tear, but linoleum isn’t free from scuff marks, especially if you are walking on it while wearing rubber shoes.
However, these scuffs are easy to remove! Just apply a little toothpaste with a dry cloth and scrub any linoleum marks right off.
Get Rid of Food Smells From Your Hands
You already know that toothpaste can deodorize baby bottles, shoes, and thermoses, but did you know that it can also deodorize your hands? If you are dealing with pungent foods on a daily basis because of, say, handling fish, the odor can linger on your hands even after you have washed them with soap and water.
If that is the case, attempt to remove it by using toothpaste next time! Just put a small dab of toothpaste into your hands before washing it with soapy water. Are you blown away by the difference?
Treat Poison Ivy Stings
Have you been around any poison ivy plants recently? Do you have a persistent ivy rash that just won’t let you rest? Put a little toothpaste on to the rash to prevent itching. It will stop you from scratching the itch, which should speed up the recovery process.
Reduce the itchy irritation of poison ivy as easily as that. Don’t try this if the rash has already developed into open blisters, though, because it might sting.
Keep Your Fingernails Strong
For a while now, we have been talking about plain, non-gel, white toothpaste without any whitening properties…but what if all you have is whitening toothpaste? There’s a use for that too! It doesn’t just whiten your teeth, it can also brighten your nails!
If your whitening toothpaste contains baking soda, layer some of it on your nails and let it sit for 15 minutes. Next, grab an old toothbrush and gently scrub away the toothpaste under warm running water. Your nails should be as strong and bright as you’d like them to be afterward.
Remove Crayon Marks From Walls
Are your walls filled with crayon artwork that only looks good to your little ones? Before rushing out to buy new cans of paint, try grabbing some toothpaste and gently scrubbing away at the crayon marks with a toothbrush. Whether the crayon marks have been applied on wallpaper or directly on the walls, generic toothpaste tends to be abrasive enough to make it come off.
Wipe your walls down with a wet cloth, and then use toothpaste to remove the crayon artwork. Lastly, reintroduce your little ones to paper so that they don’t draw on the walls next time!
Remove Chewing Gum From Your Hair
Gum stuck in your hair can be a nightmare. Getting gum out of your hair can be tricky, but before you consider cutting a chunk of healthy hair off and ruining your favorite haircut, try applying some toothpaste to the gum wad and work it into your hair.
Once the toothpaste has dried, the gum shouldn’t be as sticky as before. Toothpaste lubricates the hair, and after it solidifies, it makes the gum less sticky. All of this makes it easier to take the gum out.
Remove Permanent Marker Stains
Permanent marker stains can easily appear. If you are carrying it around in your backpack, chances are the inner lining will experience a marker leak eventually. Not to worry, though; white toothpaste (preferably with baking soda in it) will get the marker stain right out.
Just take some toothpaste and rub it into the stain in a circular motion. Next, scrub the stain with a rag until it disappears. Lastly, rub the toothpaste residue off with a wet cloth.
Remove Facial Hair
A beauty vlogger claimed that toothpaste and turmeric removed her body hair, and now it’s the latest beauty hack that everyone’s trying. Toothpaste is a great DIY hair remover once mixed with sugar and lemon juice.
If you are tired of shaving or waxing and want to try something new, just grab your tube of white toothpaste and get working! If your skin is very sensitive, you might want to refrain from trying this.
Remove Grime From Refrigerator Seals
Here’s a second use for whitening toothpaste. If your fridge door isn’t closing properly, it might be because of buildup on your refrigerator seals. Try using toothpaste to clean your refrigerator seals.
Just apply some whitening toothpaste on to an old toothbrush and scrub away at the gasket seal around your fridge that’s sticky from accumulated dirt. You can even clean the outside or inside of your refrigerator with toothpaste if you’re feeling inspired!
Rescue Scratched DVDs or CDs
You’ve accidentally scratched a disc containing valuable digital data. Before you throw it away, try toothpaste to fix it! Why? It might fill any gaps caused by the scratches, so the data on the disc can be read again.
Clean the disc with soapy water and dry it. Take some toothpaste on a wooden toothpick and apply it to the scratch in a straight motion from the center to the edge, before rubbing it gently off with a soft cloth. Did it work?
Revive Stinky Shoes
We are all embarrassed by how bad our shoes can smell at times. However, toothpaste can come to your rescue very quickly if you’re feeling self-conscious about the stink emanating from your worn-out shoes.
Get that new-shoe smell again by using an old toothbrush with a generous dab of toothpaste on it to really scrub away at your old smelly shoes. Make sure you get into every tiny crevice. It’ll easily remove the funk from your kicks.
Clean Your Car Headlights
If this article will teach you anything, it’s that toothpaste can clean everything. Try rubbing your dirty headlights with a soft cloth after applying toothpaste on it. Before you begin, wash your headlights with soapy water.
Then use toothpaste (preferably with baking soda on a clean cloth) to scrub it for five minutes. Afterward, rinse your headlights and let them air-dry. Voila! Your headlights should no longer be hazy.
Clean Your Bathroom Fixtures
Squeeze some toothpaste on a soft cloth and rub your bathroom fixtures down with it! From faucets to the sink, this will leave all of them looking great. It’s a handy substitute if you have run out of bathroom cleaners.
After scrubbing your bathroom fixtures down thoroughly, buff away with a dry cloth until it is shiny! Say goodbye to limescale buildup with this easy hack! It’ll also save you money because a little toothpaste goes a long way.
Clean Your White Sneakers
Toothpaste isn’t just great for ridding smells from your shoes, it can be used for removing stains from your dirty sneakers too. Apply some non-gel white toothpaste to an old toothbrush you are no longer using and scrub your shoes with it in a circular motion.
Let the toothpaste sit on the shoes for 10 minutes before cleaning it with a wet sponge or damp towel. You may have to repeat this process a few times for the dirty spots to be completely gone.
