This article was originally published on 24/7Mirror
Listerine is a popular antiseptic mouthwash product with the slogan "Kills germs that cause bad breath," but did you know that it has way more uses than just cleaning mouths? It's true! Turns out that little bottle of mouthwash is packing a lot of power for more than just cleaning your mouth. You'll be surprised to find just how much Listerine can do - and all for the price of just one of those cheap bottles! Get ready because there's quite a bit it can do, no doubt there are at least a few things on this list that will have you running to the nearest store to buy a gallon of this stuff.
1. No More Piercing Infection
There is always the danger of infection when it comes to body piercing. If you have a new body piercing, it is more likely to become infected, especially the belly button area.
To prevent infection from piercing and encourage healing, you can use Listerine around the area.
2. An Effective Toilet Cleaner
You may have seen videos of how people clean their toilets with a carbonated cola drink. Well, there is an effective way to do it if you don't have a toilet cleaner at home, or don't want to risk a sugary soda splashing all over the place.
Simply pour a little Listerine in the toilet and brush it around the bowl. It will not only sanitize the toilet but also deodorize it.
3. Use It As An Aftershave
Aftershave helps in reducing itching and swelling from any sort of skin damage. It also helps in closing pores in your skin to prevent dirt, bacteria, or chemicals from getting into your skin. So, if you're out of aftershave, there's no harm in using Listerine.
To feel fresh and smell clean after a shave, all you need to do is dab a small amount of the substance on cotton and apply it to the skin.
4. Help Ease Itching
Listerine contains active ingredients like menthol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, and thymol with anti-itch and anti-fungal properties.
Whether you suffer from poison ivy or skin allergies, apply it to the affected area. You will be surprised to find out how quickly it can relieve itching.
5. Use It As Your Backup Deodorant
The bacterial breakdown of perspiration in armpits can cause nasty smells. Using a deodorant helps in temporarily killing bacteria to prevent body odor.
In case you don't have deodorant, there's no need to worry. You can rub a little Listerine on your armpit to immediately stop the smell.
6. Bye-Bye Dandruff
If you have a flaky scalp, we can understand how irritating it is to try many dandruff removal shampoos and home remedies to no avail.
The good news is that you can get rid of dandruff with the help of Listerine. Simply massage it into your scalp and rinse it out with your shampoo.
7. No More Lice Problem
Head lice is a common problem for children. They can cause itching, tickling sensation, and sores on the head. There are many lice removal shampoos in the market, but one home remedy is super effective.
Use Listerine to soak your hair and take a shower cap to cover it for about 2 hours. Afterward, rinse your hair with your usual shampoo.
8. Relieve Bug Bites
Using cream and ointments can help stop the itching from bug bites, but they can be expensive. So, there is a cheap alternative that works greats.
You can also use Listerine for this purpose. Pour it onto a cotton ball and apply the affected area. It should quickly soothe the itching.
9. Use It As a Phone Cleaner
Cleaning your phone is important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of buying special phone cleaners, you can use a safe, effective alternative.
Take a soft cloth and pour a little of the substance onto it. Wipe off the screen and back of your phone with it.
10. Flea-Free Doggo
When there is a cheap alternative to getting rid of fleas, why buy expensive flea sprays, right? Use Listerine to get rid of fleas.
Mix it with dog shampoo or water and give your fluff ball a happy bath. However, do make sure that your dog doesn’t have open wounds or sensitive skin.
11. Use It As A Facial Cleanser
Cleansing helps remove excess oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and makeup from your skin. Moreover, it refreshes your skin.
So, if you don't have a facial cleanser, you can use Listerine because it has powerful antiseptic properties that also help fight acne.
12. Eases The Pain Of A Nasty Bee Sting
When a bee stings you, it releases a chemical called melittin that triggers pain receptors and causes a burning sensation. Think of its sting as a jagged, poisoned sword that hurts when it penetrates the skin.
You can use Listerine to ease the pain of bee or wasp sting. It is because the product numbs the affected area and provides an immediate soothing effect.
13. A History of Sterilizing Wounds and Cuts
Did you know that Dr. Joseph Lawrence created Listerine in 1879 to be used for oral hygiene and cleaning surgical wounds? So it has been used for cleaning wounds and cuts since the 1800s.
The antibacterial properties of Listerine make it great for cleaning cuts. So simply pour it over the cut and rinse it out with water.
14. Helps Quicken Bruise Healing
Some people get bruises easily and if you face this problem, then using Listerine can make the healing process faster.
Pour some of it onto a cotton ball and press it into the bruised area. Make sure to press it gently. It will help in increasing blood flow that causes the bruise to heal faster.
15. Of Course, It Cleans Your Toothbrush
Did you know that your toothbrush is home to over 100 million bacteria, including staphylococci (Staph) bacteria and E. coli?
Therefore, it is important to clean it before putting it into your mouth. So, it would be best to clean your toothbrush with Listerine regularly.
16. Laptop Screen Cleaner
By using a little bit of Listerine, you can clean your laptop screen flawlessly. It is an excellent alternative to buying a cleaner.
By the way, you can use it to clean your TV, iPad, mobile, and even the handles of different equipment.
17. Gets Rid of Trash Smell
Sometimes, the trash smells intolerable due to expired food or other items. There is a way to get rid of intolerable smells. Simply take a paper towel and soak some Listerine into it.
Now, throw the paper towel into the trash. The smell of this fantastic mouthwash will overpower the bad smells.
18. Use It To Clean Your Washing Machine and Clothes
You can use your regular detergent and a cup of Listerine to clean your laundry. Using this amazing product helps in killing any germs on your clothing.
Moreover, Listerine also helps clean your washing machine. Try it the next time you wash a load of laundry and feel the difference yourself.
19. Prevent Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a quite common condition in which yellow or white spot begins to develop under the tip of your toenail. Without proper care, it could cause the nail to discolor and start affecting several other nails as well. You can get rid of fungus by simply soaking your feet in a bath of Listerine.
All you have to do is mix it with warm water and soak your feet in it for about 20 minutes. It'll be enough to get rid of the fungus.
20. Helps Get Fresh Breath All Day
We know that brushing teeth twice a day and flossing can help get rid of bad breath, but there are times when you need to do a little more.
Rinse your mouth with Listerine in the middle of the day to freshen up. Trust us. as your breath will smell fresh throughout the day.
21. An Effective Bathroom Cleaner
There are many bathroom disinfecting cleaners in the market, but there's no need to worry if you ever run out of them.
You can use Listerine as a last-minute bathroom cleaner. Use it to sanitize your sinks, mirrors, and countertops.
22. Clean Out Polluted Soil
Improving the health of soil helps in the better growth of plants. But did you know that fungus and mildew can affect the quality of the soil of your plants?
You can get rid of them by mixing 3 parts water and 1 part Listerine. Pour the mixed solution into a spray bottle and spray it on the topsoil at least once a week.
23. Cleans Your Moldy Dehumidifier
Did you know that a dehumidifier can get gross pretty quickly? After all, it pulls moisture from the air containing bacteria, mildew, mold, dead skin cells, and other particles.
Therefore, use Listerine to prevent mildew and mold from growing inside your dehumidifier. Simply unplug the machine and use Listerine as a cleanser and rinse it out with water.
24. Use it As Tick Removal
Although tick bites are often harmless to humans, they can cause an allergic reaction. However, keep in mind that some ticks can pass dangerous diseases onto pets and humans.
You can easily remove ticks by soaking a paper towel in Listerine and putting it on the skin's surface. It effectively removes the rick in just a few seconds.
25. Easily Shine and Clean Wall Decor
If you have an old-looking metallic wall decor, there is no need to hire professional service to make it shine.
Use Listerine in water and soak a cotton ball in it. Now, use the cotton ball to polish your decoration. The results are pretty amazing.
26. Prevent Blister Infection
As if having a blister is not good, an infection could get a lot worse. So it is best to make sure you avoid popping or draining a blister.
To ensure the prevention of your blister from becoming infected, simply dab Listerine onto the surface.
27. Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smells
The primary reason why your garbage disposal smells awful is food waste that hasn't completely washed down the drain. Due to the accumulation of waste, it starts to smell really bad.
You can get rid of it by pouring 1/2 cup of Listerine down the garbage disposal and that's pretty much it.
28. A Great Remedy for Sore Throat
Having a sore throat is the worst, right? You can't drink, eat, or talk properly and everything seems uninteresting.
Although gargling with warm salt water can help ease your throat, you can also gargle with Listerine for better results. However, do contact your doctor if the problem persists.
29. Helps Get Rid of Acne
For mild acne, you may use Listerine. It is because this mouthwash has antimicrobial properties that have reported success in treating acne, fungal infection, and itching.
Pour some of it onto a cotton ball and dab onto your skin. You will start to notice a difference within 2-3 days.
30. Treats a Toothache and Relieves Pain Quickly
Having a toothache in the middle of the night can be the worse. Most people look for home remedies for quick relief.
Although there are many effective home remedies for toothaches, you could always try Listerine on the affected area. It will quickly numb it to provide an immediate soothing effect.
31. Clean Glass and Windows
You can always use a combination of vinegar (white) and tap water to clean glass and windows. If you don't have vinegar, Listerine is perfect for cleaning glass and windows.
All you have to do is pour a little of this product onto a soft fabric and clean your windows to give them a clear and shiny look.
32. Helps Get Rid of Smelly Hand
It would be best not to give your "Smelly Cat" a bath with Listerine (for the love of famous sitcom Friends), but you can get rid of strong smells with it.
Simply washing your hands with soap and water may not totally eliminate strong smells, like a fresh cut onion. So, simply use Listerine.
33. Eliminates Kitchen Mold
Kitchen mold is often a result of increased humidity due to washing dishes, cooking, or appliances like a dishwasher. Mold, especially black mold, can be harmful to you. In the long term, it mainly affects people with respiratory conditions.
So, it is extremely important to get rid of mold in the kitchen or other house areas. Simply soak a sponge or cloth in Listerine and clean the moldy area.
34. Use It To Avoid Stinky Feet
Many people have a query about how to get rid of stinky feet without seeing the doctor. If you have the same problem, then you can use Listerine.
Understand that bacteria cause a bad smell. So add a few drops of this product in a tub of warm water and soak your feet in it for about 30 minutes. It will kill bad bacteria on your feet to make the smell go away.
35. No More Struggling with Armpit Odor
One problem everyone faces is sweat, which smells really bad. It can lower your self-esteem and affect your personal and professional life. Some people can't get rid of it even after taking a bath twice or even thrice a day.
As we know that bacteria cause the smell, you can kill them by soaking a cotton ball in Listerine and dabbing it onto the skin.
36. Cleans Cast Iron Cookware
Experts recommend not using soap, dishwasher, or steel wool to clean cast iron cookware as they may strip the pan's coating. So make sure you use Listerine that won't strip away the coating.
It would be best to rub your cookware with a mixture of Listerine and a little bit of sea salt. Scrub it and rinse with water.
37. Extends Cut Flowers Vase Life
Flowers quickly start to look tired and lifeless if you don't put them in water. But did you know that Listerine can help extend flower life a little bit more?
Just add it to water to see amazing results. Make sure to use not more than 2 tablespoons of the mouthwash per gallon of water.
38. Works As An Effective Bug Spray
Did you know that Listerine has an insect-repelling effect? It may even kill some mosquitoes if it is directly sprayed on them. Use it to get rid of bugs and flies.
Pour some of it into a spray bottle to prevent bugs from coming back. On the plus side, your home will smell good as well.
39. Scrub Your Floor With It As Well
There are floor scrubbers out there to help make scrubbing easier and hassle-free. But if you don't own one or want to make scrubbing floors more effective, you can use Listerine.
Believe it or not, this mouthwash can become your go-to floor cleaner as well. Just add a cup of it to a bucket of water and start the floor scrubbing. Trust us on this one because your floors will look amazing.
40. Stops Nightmare Cough
Drinking hot water with honey or taking an over-the-counter medicine can help stop coughing, but there's another good option you can consider.
The mouthwash works wonderfully by breaking up bacteria in the respiratory system to give you the much-needed relief. If coughing persists, it would be best to see your doctor.
41. It Helps Prevent Cold
If you start experiencing the tickle in your throat, it would be best to gargle with Listerine to prevent a sore throat.
If you get cold and flu quite often, Listerine can also reduce the frequency and severity of colds. Make sure to gargle with it in the morning and night.
42. It Treats Jock Itch
Jock itch is a common fungal infection that causes a itchy rash in the body's moist and arm areas. That's why it is quite common in athletes and people who are overweight or sweat a lot.
All you need to do is pour some of Listerine onto a cotton ball and rub it on the affected area. Allow it to dry before rinsing it off. Repeat the process 2 times daily for a couple of months.
43. Helps Treat Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot (also called tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that usually occurs in people with sweaty feet. The scaly rash in this infection usually causes stinging sensations, itching, and burning.
There is an effective solution to cure the infection. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and Listerine in a tub and soak your foot in it for at least 30 minutes. Don't forget to wash your foot with soap and water afterward. Make sure to repeat this process at least 2-3 times per week.
44. Whiten Your Nails With It
One of the leading causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. In case you don't treat the infection, it can worsen over time. Smokers have yellow-stained nails, which is also a tell-tale sign of a person who smokes.
Using Listerine can help whiten your nails. Pour some of it onto a cotton ball and clean your nails with it.
45. It Also Restores Dry and Cracked Heels
There are many moisturizing treatments to fix cracked or dry heels. Listerine can help release dead skin and restore heels.
Pour a cup of Listerine into a tub of water and soak your feet in it for at least 20 minutes.
46. It Treats Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes give you different diseases and their bites can even cause allergies. Almost everyone is sensitive to their bites and that's why it is imperative to treat them instead of scratching.
You can use Listerine to treat a mosquito bite because one of the primary ingredients used in the mouthwash, eucalyptus oil, has powerful medicinal effects.
47. It Repels Mosquitoes As Well
Prevention is better than cure, right? Why treat mosquito bites when you can easily repel them.
Simply pour some of Listerine into a spray bottle and sprinkle it around pools, picnic tables and other areas. The smell of Listerine will help keep the mosquitoes away.
48. Use It As An Emergency Wet Wipe
Now that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives, we have started to take sanitization more seriously.
If you want to sanitize something and don't have a wet wipe, you can use a travel-sized bottle of Listerine to make emergency wet wipes with only some tissues. Soak the tissues in Listerine and start sanitizing.
49. Use It To Clean Your Yoga Mat
Did you know that a dirty yoga mat covered in bacteria and germs can lead to acne, skin infections, toenail fungus, and even transfer herpes virus? It would be best if you cleaned the yoga mat every time before using it.
Mix a solution of water and Listerine and pour it into a spray bottle. Use the bottle every time before using your yoga mat.
50. It Helps Clean Retainers
If you wear Invisalign or retainer, cleaning it every day is important for oral hygiene. It also helps prevent plaque and bacterial build-up.
All you have to do is soak your retainer in a Listerine solution for at least 2 minutes every day.