Toothpaste isn’t just for brushing
The combination of a mild abrasive and an antibacterial agent makes toothpaste a potent stain-fighter.
Use regular white paste, not gel or variations made for tartar control and whitening since these have additional abrasives.
1. Acrylic accessories (like plastic desk items):
Squeeze toothpaste onto a cloth and work it into the scratches until they fade. Wipe off the residue with a clean cloth.
2. Acne:
Find out how to use toothpaste to fight acne here.
3. Bug bite relief:
When a bug bite has you itching, dab on some toothpaste for instant relief.
My four-year old is a mosquito magnet. Can’t wait to try this.
4. CD/DVD scratches:
Toothpaste can repair minor scratches on a CD/DVD. Put a dab on a cloth and wipe the scratches in the direction from the center hole to the edge. Make sure you get all the toothpaste off before playing it again by buffing it with a clean cloth.
A few Gamecube games were revived this way at my house.
5. Chrome fixtures:
To polish faucets and taps in the kitchen or bathroom, smear a dime-size amount of toothpaste onto them. Buff with a soft cloth until they shine.
I tried this on my shower’s chrome and it works!
6. Crayon marks:
Use paste to remove crayon marks. Clean area with a damp cloth.
7. Goggles:
Get the foggy film off goggles using some toothpaste. Buff until the plastic is clear again.
8. Iron:
Apply a dab of toothpaste and work it into the plate of a steam iron to get rid of mineral deposits. Use a clean cloth to remove residue.
9. Jewelry cleaner:
Use an old toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste to gently brush your dull jewelry. Rinse and polish with a clean cloth to bring back its shine.
Don’t use on 18k gold, pearls, or other softer jewelry as it is abrasive and could damage the surface.
10. Nail hole filler:
Use toothpaste like putty to fill small holes in the wall.
11. Piano keys:
Rub each key carefully with a damp cotton swab or cloth and a dab of toothpaste. Wipe dry and buff with a clean cloth. They will shine white again.
I tried this but didn’t notice a difference, but my keys weren’t really yellow with age. However, the piano smells minty fresh. I’m sure this works well with older pianos.
12. Rubber soles of shoes:
Clean up those scuffs with some toothpaste.
13. Stains on clothes and carpets:
Rub a little toothpaste on the stain and rinse. Some stains may take a few tries.
Doesn’t work with all fabrics.
14. Scuffed linoleum:
Scrub scuff marks with toothpaste and a dry cloth until no toothpaste residue remains.
15. Tarnished silverware:
Remove tarnish with a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.
Do you have other ways to use toothpaste?
Whoa I never knew all those uses for toothpaste. Pretty cool.
This is really useful post for me. I stumbled onto your blog and read a few post. I like your style of writing.
Nice tips
I didn’t know toothpaste can repair minor scratches on a CD/DVD
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Melinda, I never keep white tooth paste in the house. But after reading these tips I think I’ll put it on my Dollar store shopping list.
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I know I like other kinds to use, too. The dollar store is a great idea to get some.
Bookmarked – the piano keys tip sounds really interesting. I’m scared to do anything with a baby grand, but then again, I want the keys to shine white again, that’s for sure.
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Melinda, these are cool tips. The only one I knew about was for CDs. I have a pair of sunglasses (cheap ones) that I will pretend are Goggles so that I can try your tip.
I’ve passed these along to the Stumblers in my life.
Cheers,
Mitch
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Thanks Mitch! I tried this on my cheap sunglasses. I suggest a very small amount as it took me awhile to get all of the toothpaste off.
It worked! I took some Aqua Fresh to those scratches and buffed them right out.
Cheers,
Mitch
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Whoo hoo! Plus they smell great!
Are you kidding me?! I never heard if toothpaste being used foe acne, clothes, CDs. Didn’t bow you could use it for multiple things. Guess I’m buying more than one toothpaste now.
. Thanks for sharing. This was interesting!
My sister is a big “Go Green” supporter and passed along those tips to me. She tries to use as few chemical cleaners as she can and is always looking for other cleaning options. I keep forgetting to have the kids try it as an acne cure. It would save me a lot of money with 2 teens.
Never knew about so many uses of toothpastes.Thanks
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Who knew there were so many uses ??? I have actually tried a few of these tips – jewelry cleaner and nail hole filler with good success.
My googness, thanks google diverted me here and i eventually came to know about the ways a tooth paste can be used. Thanks to the author, appreciate that.
Toothpaste for acne control certainly caught my eye! The ehow site states that it’s the ‘mint ingredients’ in toothpaste that do the job. Can’t see that myself as the ‘mint ingredients’ are just flavorings. Much more likely to be the alkaline carbonate paste as the active agent, in the same way that Milk of Magnesia applied on the skin does a good job of controlling acne.
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Melinda, I have used tooth paste many a times for cleaning Silver Utensils and it sparkles them.
I’ve heard the acne thing is a myth and it actually makes people break out!
I would never had thought that toothpaste had so many uses. I have used it to remove fine scratches out of high gloss furniture before.
Acne, I would never have guess.
That’s interesting, I never knew hat tooth paste can be so useful. However I did know that’s good for cleaning jewelery.
These are great tips. We use toothpaste on fine scratches on glossy furniture such as end tables and coffee tables. I cleaned some fine scratched DVD’s with it too.
I am like Chris I am shoked to hear toothpaste can be used as an acne cure. This is a great resource and you’ve been bookmarked. This is very helpful on top of all simple cures out there from simple household items like vinegar and honey.
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I use toothpaste to clean my jewelry.