Rare Uses Of Mouthwash That You Might Not Of Heard Of Before Today

1. Travel sanitiser

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Unfortunately, hand sanitiser has become a basic amenity for everyone today. But if you're heading on holiday soon and forgot to buy a hand sanitiser, then don't panic - you can make sanitiser out of mouthwash. Simply pour some alcohol-based, sugar-free mouthwash into a spray bottle and use it to clean your hands.

2. Bug repellent

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We're still on the holiday theme with this tip. Bug spray is also a necessity, especially if you're travelling to a hot country where there's a risk of mosquitos. You can use your same bottle of hand sanitiser to spritz on your arms and legs and discourage those mozzies from biting you.

3. Help reduce bruising

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Even a light bruise can be a pain, especially if it's a dark bruise somewhere where everyone can see it. The next time you knock into something, apply some mouthwash to the area immediately afterwards. This should help prevent a very dark bruise from forming.

4. Nail fungus treatment

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It's nasty, but it could happen to anyone. If you notice any symptoms of a fungal infection on your feet, don't hesitate to reach for your mouthwash. Mix this in a 1:1 ratio with white vinegar and apply to the affected area two to three times a day, and you should see your fungal infection disappear.

5. Deodorant

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Think of it: you reach for your deodorant as you do every morning but this time it's empty. Panic! But don't fret, as mouthwash can also be used as an emergency deodorant if you're out. Simply apply a little bit with some tissue paper to your armpits and you'll smell fresh all day. Just don't try this after you've shaved - it'll sting!

6. Dandruff treatment

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Dandruff can be a pesky and pretty embarrassing problem. However, did you know that mouthwash can help reduce it? Try using a mouthwash rinse a few times a week after you've washed your hair. This should prevent buildup and gradually reduce the amount of dandruff on your head.

7. Laundry detergent

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Mouthwash can also be used as a laundry detergent to help keep your clothes fresh. This is especially useful for getting the stink off of stubborn pieces of clothing like socks or gym clothing. Simply add a cup of mouthwash to your load along with your regular detergent and see how fresh your clothing smells!

8. An anti-septic

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Mouthwash is naturally antiseptic and a disinfectant, meaning it can be used any time you need to properly clean something and prevent infection. In general, this helps your mouth stay fresh and prevent bacterial build-up, but you could also use it to clean any small cuts like paper cuts before applying a plaster.

9. Garbage can freshener

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Once waste bins start to get full, they can smell pretty bad. This can be pretty uncomfortable, especially if you have a small kitchen or want to invite people over. Next time you open a fresh bin bag, throw a little piece of cotton ball with mouthwash on it in the bottom of the bag - it'll keep it fresh even after you load it with waste.

10. Toilet freshener

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It's not just garbage bins that mouthwash can help keep smelling fresh, though. You can also use it in your toilet! Pour a cup around your toilet bowl and leave for an hour, then clean as normal and flush. You'll notice immediately that this method keeps it just as clean as bleach would!

11. Cleaning piercings

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After you've got a new piercing, it's important that you keep it clean to prevent an infection. Well, mouthwash can help with that! Dip a piece of cotton wool or a Q-tip in some mouthwash and use it to delicately clean around your piercing to prevent it going gross. Just make sure your mouthwash is alcohol-free and sugar-free.

12. And your skin

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Mouthwash can also do incredible things for your skin! After you've completed your other skincare prep such as washing your face and applying toner, use a cotton pad to sweep a little bit of mouthwash on your face, then rinse with water. This can make your face look brighter and cleaner!

13. Reducing acne

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Because of the antibacterial and antiseptic properties of mouthwash, it can also be a really effective way to reduce your acne. Dab a tiny bit of mouthwash directly onto any spots to help dry them out and get rid of them faster - without the need for expensive face scrubs or medication.

14. Wound care

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If you're suffering from a larger wound, like a scrape, mouthwash should be the first thing you go for in your first aid cupboard. It'll sting like hell, but it's a useful way of making sure that your wound is completely clean before applying a bandage. Just grit your teeth and bear it!

15. Cleaning glass

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Ran out of your regular household cleaner? Got some windows that are looking a bit worse for wear? Turn to your mouthwash! As long as it's sugar-free, it should make your windows shine. Apply using an old rag or kitchen towel, and afterwards wipe it dry and you should see the difference.

16. Odour remover

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Have you been cooking something in the kitchen and now your hands smell exactly like food? This could be raw meat, ginger, spices, cheese... even after washing your hands (which you should be doing anyway!), these smells can linger. When this happens, apply a bit of mouthwash to your hands and massage in before washing your hands again as usual.

17. Including really stubborn odours

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This trick even helps to get rid of really bad odours like garlic. This smell is a pain to get rid of, lingering for days, especially if you've been handling a lot of garlic. Simply use the same trick - spread a little bit of mouthwash on your hands and then wash well. For really bad garlic smells, you might have to repeat this a few times.

18. Helping your garden

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Gardening has experienced a bit of a renaissance during the pandemic, with everyone wanting to tend to their beautiful patches of green. But if you want to get into this hobby, be aware that bugs will be your worst nightmare, eating everything in sight! Thankfully, mouthwash can be used to discourage bugs. Dilute 1 part mouthwash like Listerine to 2 parts water and spray on your garden to keep them at bay.

19. And making better flowers

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Received a bouquet of flowers recently? Then you have to accept that after a few days they won't look their best anymore. However, a little mouthwash trick can revive your flowers. Mix 1 tablespoon of mouthwash with 4 pints of water and then replace your vase water with this mix. You'll notice that your flowers will last longer!

20. It can help your house plants too

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Have a few plant babies you're caring for? Then you might be annoyed to see fungus or mildew destroying them from the soil. Mouthwash can be your saviour - make a mix of 1:4 parts mouthwash to water and spray it on your houseplants to kill anything that might be intent on ruining your beautiful plants.

21. Disinfecting your toothbrush

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Did you know that you should be cleaning your toothbrush regularly? I'm guessing that most of us don't bother with this, but it's important for your mouth health. To disinfect with mouthwash, leave your toothbrush sitting in a cup of mouthwash for about 10 minutes and then rinse it well. It'll be good as new!

22. Stop your cat from peeing indoors

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Cats are totally adorable, but not when they're peeing over everything in your house! However, there is a solution to this and it involves your trusty friend mouthwash. Spray the area your cat likes to pee in with a mix of 1 cup water and 3 tablespoons clear mouthwash to stop them from frequenting that area.

23. Getting rid of ticks

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Mouthwash has one more use for your household pets. Are you struggling with tics on your pets? They can be a nightmare, especially on long-haired pets. If you see one on your pet, grab a tea towel and dip it in mouthwash, then leave it on the area for a sec - the tic should come right off!

24. A foot soak

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After a long day, there's nothing nicer than a lovely foot soak. To make your soak even more valuable, mix a cup of mouthwash in with the water. The added antibacterial effect will help destroy any bacteria on your feet and soften your skin. This is especially useful if you've been barefoot outside for the day.

25. Healing blisters

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Blisters are a real pain, but what if you don't have any blister plasters on your when one strikes? Then you can use mouthwash! Apply a little bit of mouthwash on your blister every day with a cotton ball, and you'll see it start to disappear more quickly than if you'd just applied a plaster anyway.

26. Soothe poison ivy rashes

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As we head into the summer months, you're likely to be spending more time enjoying nature in the countryside. however, this comes with its risks, including poisonous plants like poison ivy and nettles. To help a plant rash or sting, apply a little bit of mouthwash to the affected area - it'll help with the itching and inflammation.

27. Cleaning tiles

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Cleaning a bathroom can be pretty tedious, but to make it easier to get dirt off of tiles you can turn to mouthwash. Make a mixture of about 2 cups water and 1/2 cup of mouthwash and spray this onto tiles before scrubbing as normal. You'll notice that dirt lifts straight off and your tiles will look good as new!

28. Refreshing your dehumidifier

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For some households, dehumidifiers are pretty important, especially if you suffer from bad lung health. However, these appliances also need some care to keep them working right. When you're not using it, prevent mildew from appearing in your dehumidifier by adding a mix of water and mouthwash to it.

29. Discouraging mice

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Got a pest problem in your house? It might be normal but it's still pretty gross. If you've found a mouse hole and want to prevent these pesky animals from coming back, create a 1:1 mix of water and mouthwash and spray it around the hole. The strong smell should discourage them from coming back.

30. Killing ants

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Mouthwash is also useful for getting rid of pests like ants. Make a 1:1 mix and spray on any areas where you know you have an ant problem, and the strong substance will stop ants right in their tracks. You can also pour mouthwash right onto ants to kill them off quickly.