6 clever uses for mouthwash that don’t involve fresh breath

If you’re the kind of person who always has a spare bottle of mouthwash in your bathroom, you may be surprised to hear that can do more than cure bad breath.

While it will certainly leave your mouth feeling minty fresh, it turns out there’s an array of other uses for mouthwash. Because it’s designed to kill germs, many people have found plenty of other uses for mouthwashes that have surprising health benefits.

According to website Instructables.com, popular mouthwash brand Listerine was originally used as surgical antiseptic in the 1800s. It would go on to become one of the world’s leading brands with it came to oral care, but the website has found that it’s still effective for an array of other things. Check some of them out below.

Get rid of the smell of garlic on your hands

While gargling some mouthwash will keep your breath fresh, it can be harder to get the smell off your hands. If you wash your hands with soap and then add a tiny bit of mouthwash to the palm of your hands, you should find that it gets rid of the smell. Be sure to wash your hands with soap again afterwards to ensure they don’t smell like mint for too long.

It can prevent dandruff

While it sounds silly, there are many properties in everyday mouthwashes that can help with dandruff. If you suffer from a dry or itchy scalp, try mixing some mouthwash with water.

Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner as normal, then apply the mouthwash to the affected areas.

Be sure to let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. If possible, try and keep away from alcohol-based washes as it could inflame the area more.

Clean your toothbrush

While toothbrushes are typically used twice a day, most people are unaware that bacteria can build up on the bristles of your brush. Because mouthwash is already designed to kill these kinds of germs, it’s a good idea to soak your brush in mouthwash once a week. 

If you do so overnight, your mouth will be feeling even fresher when you go to brush your teeth the next morning.

It treats nail fungus

While mouthwash kills germs in your mouth, it’s also been found to have similar results when used on other parts of your body. To help assist with nail fungus, try mixing the mouthwash with the same amount of vinegar. Apply to the toenails evenly up to three times a day. It can take days or even weeks for results to appear, so be sure to stick with it for a while before giving up.

Help stop itchy bites

If you’ve been bitten by a mosquito or insect, mouthwash can act as an antiseptic and prevent ongoing itching. Simply tab some on a cotton bud or cotton ball and apply to the itchy area. It may sting at first but it will stop you from scratching almost instantly.

Prevent flowers from dying

If you’ve got a bunch of flowers and want them to last a little longer, try adding some mouthwash to the vase. You will only need to dilute a tiny amount with some water to start seeing results. The amount to use depends on the size of your vase but typically no more than a capful is needed.

Have you tried any of these alternative uses for mouthwash?