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We commonly use mouthwash for oral care, but it has more uses than you might think. It’s a versatile household item that can do more than get rid of plaque and keep your teeth clean. 

Here are some creative – and clever ways to use mouthwash beyond maintaining your beautiful smile and getting rid of bad breath.

Clean Household Surfaces

woman doing chores cleaning bathroom at home
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When you’re in a bind and run out of your regular household cleaner, mouthwash can serve as a reliable substitute. Simply dampen a soft cloth with some mouthwash and use it to clean countertops and glass surfaces.

Protect Your Plant

houseplant next to chair
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Mouthwash can be an effective way to deter mildew and troublesome fungus gnats that may otherwise harm your plants. To safeguard your plants’ health, simply create a spray of equal parts mouthwash and water.

Foot Fungal Infection

African Barefoot Woman Walking On Heated Floor
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Mouthwash can come in handy for treating mild cases of athlete’s foot or foot fungus. Simply soak a cotton ball in the mouthwash and apply it to the affected area.

Make Flowers Last Longer

Few of beautiful luxury bouquet. Mixed flowers on pink table. the work of the florist at a flower shop. Wedding
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Extend the freshness and longevity of your flowers by adding a small amount of mouthwash to the vase. This helps control bacteria and slow down the decomposition process, ultimately ensuring your flowers stay vibrant for longer.

Improve Humidifier’s Performance

Modern air humidifier indoors
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Moist humidifiers can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and bacteria, especially if not cleaned regularly, or the water becomes stagnant. To maintain a fresher environment, including the quality of the air you breathe, consider adding a few spoonfuls of mouthwash to the water.

Freshen Up the Garbage Disposal

sink drain
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When your garbage disposal develops unpleasant odors, you can eliminate them by pouring a small amount of mouthwash down the drain and running the disposal with hot water.

Freshen up the Garbage Can

trash garbage bin
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Similar to freshening up garbage disposal, mouthwash can also be a handy solution for a smelly garbage can. Simply soak a paper towel in some Listerine and place it at the bottom of the bin to eliminate any unpleasant odors that may be lingering.

Do Your Laundry

washing machine with laundry basket
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To tackle foul-smelling clothes, try adding a capful of clear mouthwash to your laundry load; it can effectively prevent odors. Additionally, if your washing machine develops a musty smell, consider adding some mouthwash to your next load.

Clean Tile Floors

tile flooring
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Mouthwash isn’t limited to teeth whitening; it can also be a handy tile cleaner. That’s right! Simply mix mouthwash with water and use it to scrub. The alcohol content in mouthwash not only leaves your surfaces shinier but also provides disinfection as you clean.

Related postHow to Clean Your Tile Grout

Disinfect a Wound

The woman is trying to pull the splinter out of the child's hand. A splinter in a child's hand disinfect wound cut
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It’s worth noting that before its popular use as a mouthwash, it was effectively employed as an antiseptic to prevent surgical infections. Therefore, when tending to a minor cut or wound, consider using an alcohol-based mouthwash for skin disinfection.

14 Clever Uses for Baking Soda Around the House (And It’s Not Baking)

baking soda
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A box of baking soda is a versatile household tool. It offers practical solutions for your entire home, serving as both a gentle abrasive scrub and a deodorizer. With its multi-purpose abilities, you might find yourself rethinking the need for other expensive cleaning supplies. Here are 14 clever ways to put baking soda to work around the house.

14 Clever Uses for Baking Soda Around the House (And It’s Not Baking)

10 Aluminum Foil Hacks Your Mom Might Not Have Taught You

aluminum foil
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Aluminum foil is a useful kitchen staple known for its versatility and reliability. Surprisingly, this household staple goes beyond just covering your favorite dishes in the oven. There’s so much more that you can do with aluminum foil, as it has so many practical uses.

So, if you’ve only used aluminum foil to line your baked dishes, you are in for a treat. Here are ten ways to use aluminum foil to simplify your life and household tasks.

10 Aluminum Foil Hacks Your Mom Might Not Have Taught You

10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)

dryer sheets
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Dryer sheets have earned their place as a laundry room essential, adding fresh scent and reducing static in our clothes. They’re appreciated for making laundry softer and more fragrant. But these sheets offer more than just laundry benefits. In fact, they can be quite handy around the house. Here are ten ways you use laundry sheets for more than just laundry.

10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)

WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House

wd-40
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For many of us, purchasing WD-40 is often prompted by the need to silence a squeaky door, only for the can to be shelved and forgotten. You’d be surprised to know that this well-known spray has numerous practical uses. Here are ten ways to make the most of WD-40 in your home. WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House

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Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.

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