Did you know that the same toothpaste that you use to polish your teeth can come in handy to clean lots of things around the house? It’s best to stick with a solid white toothpaste rather than a gel. The gel formulas often contain a bit of dye that can discolor some materials you’re trying to clean. Be sure to avoid getting the toothpaste on fabrics because it can leave a bit of a stain. Also, don’t throw away your old toothbrush – it can be a really useful tool. Give it a rinse in boiling water to get rid of any germs, and use it to get into nooks and crannys that your vacuum cleaner can’t reach. It’s especially handy in the bathroom, for cleaning hard to reach areas around the tap or drain.
What can you clean with toothpaste?
- Dirty tennis shoes can be brought back to life by scrubbing with toothpaste on the rubber parts.
Get rid of tea or coffee stains from your favourite cup by rubbing with toothpaste. Then give it a good rinse to make sure your next beverage doesn’t taste minty. - Use a tiny amount of toothpaste on a toothbrush to gently buff clean your silver jewellery and diamonds. Rinse thoroughly after and wipe clean with a cloth.
- A bit of toothpaste on a damp sponge will remove stray crayon marks from painted walls. Finish by wiping down with a damp cloth and allow the area to air dry.
- Curling irons, hair straighteners and curlers can get a gummy coating from hair products. Toothpaste removes the gunk easily without damaging the appliance surface. Put a dab of toothpaste on a dry cloth and wipe away the buildup. Finish by wiping with a damp cloth and allow the surfaces to air dry.
- Next time a glob of toothpaste drops onto your sink, don’t wash it away! Grab a sponge and scrub it around the sink to help give it a quick clean.This natural abrasive acts like a gentle bathroom cleaner and can help deodorise the drain too.