Toothpaste Isn’t Just For Keeping Cavities Away: Here’s Everything You Can Clean And Shine At Home Using This Simple Yet Powerful Paste

Konstantin Yuganov - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Konstantin Yuganov - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

We all know that regular old soap and water work great for cleaning up life’s messes. However, some stains and spills are trickier to remove and need something a little stronger to do the trick.

There’s one common household staple that most people don’t think about utilizing for cleaning jobs. Did you know that toothpaste can actually serve as a highly powerful cleaning tool for items around your home?

Toothpaste has functions beyond polishing your smile and promoting good dental health. Thanks to the abrasive yet gentle ingredients found in toothpaste, it can be used to shine surfaces and erase scuffs and scrapes.

First of all, it’s important to know that not all toothpastes are made alike. Gel, charcoal, and whitening toothpastes, as well as colored toothpastes for children, are not suitable for use as cleaning products.

The dyes and whitening agents can permanently discolor the objects they’re used on. The best cleanser for the job will be a non-gel toothpaste that’s chalky white in color. Here’s how to incorporate toothpaste into your cleaning routine!

Scrub Off Crayon And Marker

If you’ve got little ones who love to use any and all surfaces to show off their artistic skills, this toothpaste hack will be a lifesaver. You might think that your walls and wooden furniture are ruined forever, but toothpaste can remove the colorful mess left behind by crayons and markers.

Smear a bit of toothpaste onto the affected area and use a damp microfiber cloth to rub it in a circular motion. Rinse the surface with water after the marks have disappeared.

Clean Hot Hair Tools

Konstantin Yuganov – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

Over time, the hot tools that you use to style your hair can build up a sticky residue from the oils in your hair and dead skin flakes. On a dry washcloth or rag, apply a dab of toothpaste and scrub the gunk off. Then, use a separate damp cloth to wipe away the residue.

Remove Soap Scum

Soap scum accumulates in sinks, shower doors, and bathtubs. It’s always a pain to deal with, but toothpaste can make its removal a lot easier. After squeezing a small amount of toothpaste onto a damp cloth, vigorously wipe away the soap scum from your bathroom surfaces.

Prevent Bathroom Mirrors From Fogging Up

Another way toothpaste can be used in the bathroom is to prevent fog from forming on your mirrors after a particularly steamy shower. Place some toothpaste on the mirror and wipe it off right before bathing. This will keep the fog from developing on the glass.

Eliminate Scratches On Screens

Toothpaste can even eliminate small scratches on your phone or tablet screens! Gently polish the scratched screen with a dab of toothpaste on your fingertip. Once the marks are buffed out, wipe off the toothpaste with a clean, slightly damp cloth.

Defog Headlights

Are your car headlights shining a little less brightly than they used to? Well, toothpaste can make them look brand-new again! By squeezing toothpaste onto a moistened cloth or sponge and rubbing your headlights, it will effectively remove any scratches, dirt, or debris that might have been clouding up your headlights.

Polish Copper And Chrome Fixtures

To bring out the shine in your copper or chrome fixtures once again, rub a small swipe of toothpaste on the fixture with a dry cloth until the brightness has been restored. Then, rinse the paste away. If your copper is really tarnished, let the toothpaste sit for a few minutes before going to work on it.

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Emily  Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a ... More about Emily Chan

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