Alternative Uses for Toothpaste

Updated: 1/22/2020

Have you ever used the same toothpaste tube for a long period of time where it just would not run out? Toothpaste can go a long way – even past oral health uses. Take a look at this compiled list of alternative uses for toothpaste in everyday life.

1. Home Cleaning Uses

Kitchen

• Baby Bottles/Water Bottles. If a few drops of milk get left in a bottle, it can start to smell. To remove this sour milk smell and residue, use a little bit of toothpaste when you rinse it out with a scrubber. After cleaning them, make sure you store them without a lid to prevent further stench.
• Countertop Stains. Toothpaste is a great stain remover. It can work well on countertops for coffee stains, tea stains or even Kool-Aid stains.
• Refrigerator. These seals tend to go unnoticed in everyday life, allowing them to get gross without our attention. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean and whiten the seals.

Bathroom

• Bathroom Sinks. Use toothpaste to polish and clean the sinks and faucets in all rooms – whether they are stainless steel or granite. You can also use toothpaste to keep the smell from the drain away.
• Shower Doors. Glass doors, especially, can get a lot of residue on them. Use toothpaste to scrub off the grime and leave the glass sparkling!

Living room

• Carpet Stains. Don’t have carpet cleaner on hand? That’s okay, just grab some toothpaste. Use the paste, water and a brush to scrub the stained area, then rinse and dry thoroughly. This method also works for upholstered furniture.
• Crayon on Painted Walls. While your kiddo might be proud of their artwork, crayon can be a disaster to clean. Grab a damp rag with toothpaste and gently wipe over the crayon. You may want to test the toothpaste on your wall to make sure no damages occur to the paint.
• Scratches on Leather Material. Toothpaste cleans up scratches on leather like nobody’s business. Just a dab will do the job, and then wipe it off with a damp rag. You can use this method on leathery shoes, as well.
• Piano Keys. Piano keys naturally retain the oil from your hands, also collecting dust and dirt. Use a damp cloth with toothpaste to clean them, and then wipe off any residue left.
• Water Rings. Use a clean, wet rag with toothpaste and water to remove rings left from condensation. Some furniture may need a bit of polish afterward. Then you can buy yourself some coasters!

Garage

• Auto Scratches. For minor scratches, use a sponge with water and toothpaste to scrub the surface in circular motions until the scratch is gone. Be careful not to rub too much, otherwise you could damage the paint job further. Use a soft cloth to wipe it dry.
• Freshen Up the Car. Does your car kind of smell? Take a paper towel, add a dollop of toothpaste in the middle and fold it. Place it under a seat in the car for a fresh scent. Replace as needed.
• Clean Headlights. Over time, headlights become cloudy with dirt. Use toothpaste to clean the lights before you hit the road again.

Other

• Linoleum Scruffs. This kind of flooring can easily get scuffed up. To cure the marks, rub a dry cloth with toothpaste on the floor, rinsing if needed.
• Nail/Screw Holes. Use toothpaste to fill in small holes in the wall – white toothpaste works best.
• Patio Furniture. Day after day, patio furniture can get dirty and stained. Use whitening toothpaste to rub away dirt and leave your patio looking fresh.

2. Beauty/Health Uses

Beauty

• Blemish Cream. Apply a dot of toothpaste on the blemish before sleeping and then wash it off in the morning.
• Body Scrum/Facial Cleanser. Toothpaste is great for thoroughly cleaning skin. You can use it as a face cleanser before bed or in the shower as a scrub.
• Clothing Stains. Surprise, surprise, toothpaste is once again a stain remover. Apply the paste directly to the stain and scrub. After a little elbow grease, throw it in the washer. (Remember not to use whitening toothpaste on colored clothes.)
• Gum Stuck in Hair. The elements in toothpaste break down the sugars in chewing gum. Simply apply toothpaste to the gum and wait a few minutes before removing.
• Hair Color Mistake. If hair dye has stained your skin, try using a small dab of whitening toothpaste to remove it.
• Hair Gel. Ran out of hair gel? Toothpaste works just as well and keeps the fringe in place. (Not to mention, the minty fresh smell that will follow you everywhere.)
• Mirror Defogger. It’s in times like these that shaving, applying mascara or makeup, doing your hair, etc., can go wrong all because of a foggy mirror. Rub some toothpaste on the mirror and wipe it dry to save you from the fog.
• Nail Cleanser. Make your nails clean and healthy by lightly scrubbing them with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Stop if dryness develops near the cuticles.
• Remove Crust from Irons. After a while, irons can develop a crust from water or hair products it comes into contact with. Use toothpaste to clean and clear away this gross crust from the iron. This can work for clothes, irons or hair irons.

Health

• Poison Oak/Ivy. Apply to the affected area and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Relieve Irritation. Whatever it is, toothpaste has the power to relive irritation from bug bites, sores, rashes and blisters. Just apply a small amount to the area and the swelling or itching should decrease.
• Soothe Burns. For minor burns only, toothpaste offers great relief. It soothes nearly instantly and helps the burn feel cooler.

3. Other Small Uses

• Cell Phone Screens
• Diamond Sparkler
• DVD and CD Scratches
• Goggle/Glasses Defogger
• Laptop Keyboard Cleaner
• Polishing Silver, Brass and Chrome (Valuables, instruments, horse bits, etc.)
• Poster Adhesive (Note: It may damage the poster over time.)
• Skunk Spray Deodorizer

Toothpaste – who knew, right? We hope you’ve enjoyed this post and are able to use at least one of the tips above. If you have any other toothpaste remedies, let us know about them down in the comments below!

Want to see more posts like this? Check out our Alternative Uses for Mouthwash and Alternative Uses for Dental Floss!