Mouthwash is a staple in most households, but did you know that it can do more than keep your mouth fresh and help your gums? These hacks will ensure that you will never want to go without it – that is certain. The best part? None of these tricks have anything to do with dental hygiene! Are you ready to dive in? Then let’s go.
Keep your houseplants healthy
It’s not that rare an occurrence that houseplants are infected with mildew or funghi. That doesn’t mean you need to buy pricey repellents from the home goods store. You actually have a really potent solution right there at home: Mouthwash. To create a spray that will fight off these unwelcome guests all you need to do is mix mouthwash and water 1:3. Put the liquid in a spray bottle and your plants will be back to health in no time.
Put an end to a toothache
Well, I guess I lied, there is a teeth-related hack here. While a toothache certainly should mean you are going to consult a dentist, mouthwash can help lessen the pain significantly. While it’s designed to keep your mouth fresh and keep off plaque, it can help if you are experiencing a toothache. All you need to do is use it as usual and keep it in the aching spot for a while. The pain will lessen significantly.
Keep pets from urinating on upholstery
If you own a pet, this is probably something you have had to deal with. With a puppy it might have been an accident but sometimes cats choose the couch or carpets instead of a litterbox and develop a nasty habit. (Don’t get me wrong, that can be true for dogs as well.) Either way, an easy and cheap solution is to fill a cup with water and add three tablespoons of mouthwash. Mix well and apply to the affected area. The scent will keep the pet off and it will not use it to relieve itself again. To avoid stains however you should make sure to use a clear mouthwash.
Keep your air humidifier clean
If you are using an air humidifier you may have wondered how to efficiently clean it before – as have we. Turns out mouthwash is a very suitable solution to this issue. All you need to do is add 1-2 tablespoons of mouthwash before use every couple of weeks. The mouthwash will disinfect the air humidifier and keep it clean.
Use mouthwash to disinfect your hands and to remove garlic smell
If worse comes to worst, mouthwash is well suited to disinfect hands as well. Of course, depending on what kind of mouthwash you have at hand, the results might be a little sticky. Your hands however will still become germ-free. The real hack is the fact that mouthwash can remove the smell of garlic. The procedure is the same and if you wash your hands after, you do not need to worry about them becoming sticky.
Make your drain smell great
This simple trick ensures a bath that smells fresh. All you need to do is pour a little mouthwash down the drain. Don’t you do that anyways if you are using it daily? Sure you are, but most people will rinse after, thereby flushing the mouthwash down before it can do its magic. Just pour some in, let it sit and enjoy the fresh minty scent.
Tread minor cuts
Sure, there are plenty of medical options for this, but if you carry a small bottle of mouthwash you are always prepared to treat minor cuts or injuries. Just wet a cotton round or q-tip with some mouthwash and use it to disinfect the cut or wound. It won’t burn less than other alternatives, but it is cheap, available, and easy to use in case of an emergency.
Clean glass
Yes, you read that right. Everyone wants the have clean and streak-free windows and glass areas around the house and the ultimate trick to get those might be mouthwash. All you need to do is put it in a spray bottle and you can utilize it like you would any other glass cleaner. It will make your windows shine and make your house smell minty fresh!
Keep your cut flowers alive longer
Two tablespoons of mouthwash per gallon are the perfect solution for this hack. The mixture will ensure that your cut flowers stay alive much longer. This is especially great if you do not have anything else available to keep them fresh. Make sure however that your mouthwash does not contain sure. If it does, there will be no positive effect on your flowers.
Treat bruises with mouthwash
Mouthwash is perfect to treat skin – we already learned it can be used to disinfect. This is kind of the same effect we are utilizing for this hack. Simply wet a cotton round with mouthwash and massage the bruised spot. Ideally, you will take the time to do this in the morning and at night. The massage as well as the ingredients of mouthwash will ensure the bruise disappears much faster than it naturally would.
Treat insect bites or poison ivy exposure
There’s nothing worse than an itching insect bite or poison ivy exposure. Again: start carrying mouthwash with you. All you need to do is apply it to the affected area and the itching will cease within moments. Who would have thought mouthwash was so handy to keep around at all times?
Treat blisters
Yes, another first aid hack. Mouthwash should definitely become a staple in your purse or backpack as well. It helps prevent infection of blisters, treat the pain and make the area heal faster. So many simply uses that are just great.
Clean your toilet and make it smell fresh
No toilet cleaner around? No problem. If worse comes to worst mouthwash will do the trick. It certainly surprised us with the results of this hack. All you need to do is pour it in, let it sit for 30 minutes, clean, and boom, super clean toilet. And the smell? Just awesome!
Prevent body odor
Yup, another reason to carry it with you. This of course works as well should you have ran out of deodorant – we all know things happen. Mouthwash can substitute deodorant easily. Just apply some to a cotton round and rub it in your armpit. The mouthwash will prevent bad-smelling bacteria from developing and you will have a nice, clean-smelling day.
Make your trash smell good
This hack is quite obvious if you ask me. Some Mouthwash on a paper towel or a cotton round at the bottom of your trashbag will make it smell minty all around. We didn’t try it on compostable trash, but it certainly worked great on our plain old kitchen trashbag.
No detergent? Don’t despair
Yes, this one surprised us as well. In the worst case mouthwash however can be used as laundry detergent. Either use a non-colored version though or only use it on darks. We aren’t positive you will not have color stains afterward otherwise. But the laundry will come out smelling great and clean as long as the mouthwash is sugar-free.
Disinfect your toothbrush
Now this one is truly intuitive. Of course, we all know to replace our toothbrushes every three months but this hack will keep them fresh and hygienic during the time of use. All you need to do is fill a suitable container with some mouthwash and keep the toothbrush in it overnight. It will come out germ-free, fresh, and perfectly disinfected.
Keeping piercings hygienic and clean
Again sugar-free mouthwash is a must for this hack. To prevent inflammation on a piercing, all you have to do is apply some mouthwash with a cotton round.. CapnHowdy recommends this hack, especially for piercings in the mouth area. Simply but incredibly smart, don’t you think? Furthermore, if you really need to, you can use mouthwash to freshen up your face. Just rinse off after and your skin will be all clean.
Treat funghi and athlete’s foot
Yes, another medical hack but this one is great. Instead of buying expensive creams and ointments, mouthwash can help you get rid of an athlete’s foot easily. Mix a gallon of water with a cup of mouthwash and let your feet soak. If you are in a rush and just need some relief, all you need to do is apply some mouthwash with a cotton round. In case this isn’t enough to get you relief, add 1/3 cup of white vinegar. The acid it in will help in getting you some relief.
Prevent dandruff
Yes, mouthwash is the perfect antidote to dandruff. Mix it 1:1 with some water and add it to your routine. Just wash your hair as you usually would and then after you are done with your routine, rinse with the solution. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing it out. Make sure however you don’t get any in your eye – that is something we learned the hard way.
This trick will leave your hair feeling incredibly clean and fresh, but be careful, it can be quite drying. If you have dry hair already, only use it when definitely necessary.
