Listerine, as well as other similar mouthwashes, use alcohol and essential oils to kill germs in your mouth and freshen your breath. Many people do not realize that, like duct tape, there are dozens of Listerine uses many people are unaware of.
Here’s the 23 Uses for Listerine That We’ve Found
FUN FACT: Listerine was formulated in 1879 and was used originally as an antiseptic in surgeries and bathing wounds.
1.) Plant Soil Treatment
Have you noticed mildew or fungal growth on your houseplant’s soil? Mix one part Listerine to three parts water in a spray bottle and spray the surface of the soil where you notice the problem. Do not use the mixture to water your plants, you just want to spray some on the surface of the soil.
2.) Deodorant Replacement
Listerine kills nasty germs under your arms as well. Soak a cotton ball or gauze pad in Listerine and rub under your arms as a substitute for deodorant.
3.) Neutralize Trash Can Odor
Soak a paper towel in Listerine and place it in the bottom of your kitchen trash can to keep odor at bay. Keep the towel damp to control odor all day long.
4.) Clean & Disinfect Your Toilet
Use Listerine to clean your toilet. Pour about 1/2 cup in the bowl and scrub with a brush as usual. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before flushing.
5.) Get Rid of Dandruff
Spray half water and half Listerine into your hair and massage into your scalp to prevent dandruff. Then shampoo and condition as usual.
6.) Lice Treatment
Have your kids brought lice home from school? Soak their hair in Listerine and cover with a shower cap. After two hours, wash hair as usual.
7.) Bathroom Cleaner
Clean and disinfect bathroom surfaces with Listerine. The mouthwash kills germs and cleans non-porous surfaces to a sparkly shine.
8.) Anti-Itch Remedy
Massage Listerine onto itchy and irritated skin. It can soothe problems caused by allergies, poison ivy, insect bites and acne.
9.) Safely Remove Ticks
Soak a cotton ball in Listerine and hold on a tick that has embedded itself in the skin. The tick should back out in a few seconds.
10.) Aftershave Splash
Used as an aftershave lotion, Listerine will prevent infection and soothe razor burn. The essential oils will soften your skin.
11.) Eliminate Garbage Disposal Odor
Pour 1/2 cup of Listerine down your garbage disposal and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes to kill germs that cause odor.
12.) Laundry Booster
Add one cup of Listerine to your laundry to boost the cleaning power of your regular detergent and clean your washer.
13.) First Aid for Abrasions
Listerine can be used to disinfect scrapes and cuts. Apply with a cotton ball before covering with a clean bandage.
14.) Ease Tooth Pain
Dab Listerine on an aching tooth. The menthol will numb the pain while the alcohol helps to prevent infection.
15.) Screen Cleaner
Dampen a soft cloth with Listerine and use it to gently clean television and computer monitor screens.
16.) Piercing Aftercare
Generously dab Listerine around a new piercing to prevent infection and speed healing.
17.) Heal Bruises
Apply Listerine to bruises to help blood flow and help the bruise heal quicker.
18.) Kill Foot Germs
Soak your feet in Listerine and water to kill athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.
19.) Extend Flowers’ Life
Make cut flowers last longer by adding 2 tablespoons per gallon of water.
20.) Toothbrush Disinfectant
Soak toothbrushes in Listerine overnight to disinfect and clean them.
21.) Sanitize Your Humidifier
Use Listerine to clean and disinfect your humidifier.
22.) First Aid for Insect Stings
Dab on bee and wasp stings to kill the pain.
23.) Topical Antiseptic for Blisters
Apply to blisters to prevent infection.
Have you tried any of these Listerine uses? Do you have any suggestions?
Please let us know in the comments below!
Cary Byrd says:
Do you have any additional uses for Listerine that I didn’t include? If so, please share them here!
Olivia Fernando says:
I would have not known about the different uses of listerine. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post.