Toothpaste has a laundry list of uses beyond cleaning teeth; starting with laundry itself! For something so inexpensive, it sure does a lot of great things.
1. Remove stains – Toothpaste is great for removing stains in laundry and on carpet. Put a small amount directly on the stain. Gently brush in and let stand. Avoid whitening toothpastes as they can remove color. You may also want to do a test spot just to be safe.
2. Cleaning DVDs and CDs – If you have scratched and dirty DVDs and CDs toothpaste is the answer. If a disc won’t play, try squeezing a small amount of toothpaste on the disc. Use a soft cloth and rub it in gently, especially focusing on scratches. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry.
3. Clean foggy headlights – Squeeze a quarter-size amount on a soft cloth. Rub it into the headlight. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry. It will help to remove the dirt and fill in the dings to lessen or eliminate the haze. (This can also work on foggy goggles.)
4. Remove scuffs – If your tennis shoes look a little dingy, you can use toothpaste to remove the scuffs on the white part of the soles of tennis shoes. You can also try whitening toothpaste for extra brightness. Careful not to get that whitening toothpaste on the canvas as it can remove color.
5. Treat blemishes – Put a small amount on any pimple and leave on the blemish overnight. Be sure to wash it off in the morning.
6. Clean Fingernails – If your old nail polish has left your nails stained and discolored, try using toothpaste to clean them. Put a small amount of peroxide toothpaste on a toothbrush and scrub under the nails and around the cuticles.
7. Remove crayon on the walls – Don’t want to buy the pricey magic erasers? Toothpaste is a gentle cleaner that can remove the coloring without affecting paint. However, You may also want to do a test spot just to be safe.
8. Fill Holes – On the subject of walls, fill holes from screws, nails, and pins. After removing a picture or the like from the wall, use simple, white-colored toothpaste to fill the holes. It works like spackle/putty after drying.
9. Clean your jewelry – Rub a small amount of toothpaste into the jewelry and leave over night. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry. This is especially good for tarnished silver. Avoid using on plated jewelry and do not use on pearls or gemstones. It can remove the pearl finishes and leave stones looking cloudy.
10. Clean a Burned or Dirty Iron – Squeeze small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush and scrub the metal portion of the iron. Use a soft, damp cloth to buff clean. (Make sure it’s unplugged, please!)
What is your favorite unusual use for toothpaste? I’d love to hear more fabulous ideas!
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Jalapeño juice! I make my own salsa w/ canned jalapeños. The first time I washed my hands thoroughly w/ soap & water, but when I rubbed my eye later that day, I realized I hadn’t really gotten the pepper oils off. I tried a few internet ideas, but the only one that worked was toothpaste! Wash your hands in regular toothpaste.
I use toothpaste to “glue” bathroom tiles back on the wall when they fall off! Works like a charm!
Please DO NOT use toothpaste to clean any jewelry with stones in it! Metal is fine, but toothpaste can cloud gem stones and be difficult to remove.
I put a dab of tooth paste on picture frame hooks and put up picture where I want it. When I take it down I put in the nails where the toothpaste spots got left on the wall. The hooks match up to the nails every time 🙂
Meghan that is genius! I’m definitely going to use that tip next time I hang pictures!
I use toothpaste to clean scuff marks off the vinyl floor. I use it often for many of the mentioned ideas, so I keep a tube in my tool box. I don’t have to worry about contaminating it.
I use too paste on burns
It avoids boils
Colgate tooth paste(white) can remove permanent maker from clothing even after it’s been washed and dried. Let it sit on the clothing over night and wash again.
White toothpaste works great for getting scratches out of things like a watch face, cell phone screen, mp3 player, etc. Just dab it on, rub it in, and BAM! Scratch gone! 🙂
Tried the toothpaste method and to my amazement it cleared perfectly clear! I tried with plain and colored toothpaste and it did not matter the type it worked.
Yay! I’m so glad you had great success!
We always got toothpaste put on our bug bites growing up. Tried it on headlights and it works great.