16 interesting ways to use mouthwash

Mouthwash is one of those things we either use every day, or would like to. Luckily, if you don’t like the taste, mouthwash has a number of other handy applications that don’t involve swishing it around your mouth!

It’s also very cheap to buy at the supermarket, with home brand bottles around $2. Here’s 16 of the best alternative uses for that blue liquid:

1. Get rid of nail fungus

Nail fungus can make your toenails or fingernails thick and discoloured. To get rid of the stains, mix a 50/50 solution of alcohol-based mouthwash and vinegar, and apply to the affected area with a cotton ball three times per day. Results will take a couple of weeks.

2. Treat a bruise 

If you bruise easily, rub some mouthwash on the affected area – it won’t show up half as badly as it would have.

3. Stop scratching

Do you have a red, itchy spot? Simply apply some mouthwash, and it will relieve the itchiness and inflammation by drying up the area and beginning the healing process.

4. Use as deodorant

Mouthwash makes an easy substitute deodorant as it has bacteria-killing properties. Do not use if you have just shaved your armpits, as applying an alcohol-based mouthwash will sting!

5. Hand sanitiser

If you don’t want to fork out for expensive hand sanitiser, mouthwash is a cheap alternative. But make sure it’s alcohol-based and sugar-free, otherwise it’ll be very sticky.

6. Get rid of that garlic or fish smell on your hands

After cooking we can wash our hands all we like but still have a smell on our hands. To get rid of it, just pour some mouthwash on your hands, rub them together, and let them air-dry.

7. Clean cuts and scrapes

Apply some mouthwash to your cuts, then dry and dress it with a bandage as necessary.

8. Get rid of dandruff

After shampooing, rinse your hair with a 50/50 mixture of mouthwash and water. You may have to repeat this process a few times to get rid of the dandruff completely.

9. Keep flowers fresh

By mixing two tablespoons of mouthwash per litre of water and filling your flower vase with this mixture, your cut flowers will last longer.

10. Laundry sanitiser

Add one cup to the regular cycle of a full load of laundry (make sure the mouthwash is sugar-free and alcohol-based).

11. Screen cleaner

Apply mouthwash to a damp cloth and go to town on glass surfaces. Dry with a cotton cloth.

12. Clean mould and mildew

A mixture of 25/75 mouthwash and water sprayed onto your walls will keep them mildew free. Alternatively, spray on the wall and wipe off if you have existing mould.

13. Fertiliser for your lawn

Mix 1 cup of Listerine, with 1 cup of Epsom salts, 1 cup of liquid soap and 1 cup of ammonia in a 1 litre container. Add beer to the mixture and put in a spray bottle and apply to your lawn.

14. Kill fleas on your pets

To get rid of those fleas on your dog or cat, mix mouthwash with shampoo in a bath or diluting it with water and using it as a spray. Rinse off. 

15. Soothe a toothache

If you have a toothache, try dabbing some Listerine on the painful area. It should help numb it.

16. Sanitise your toothbrush

Leave your toothbrush in a cup of mouthwash before brushing to ensure your toothbrush is clean and free of the bacteria hanging around your bathroom.

Tell us, do you have any other ways to your mouthwash that we have forgotten?