Commonly found in bathroom cabinets for oral hygiene, toothpaste also boasts remarkable cleaning abilities around the house. Most modern toothpastes use hydrated silica, an abrasive that effectively removes stains while being gentle enough not to damage surfaces.1
This balance allows toothpaste to clean a variety of household items safely. Whether it’s polishing silverware or cleaning screens, toothpaste provides a practical, mild solution for daily challenges beyond dental care.
Here are 15 household items you can rejuvenate using just a dab of toothpaste.
1. Silverware
Tarnished silverware can be revived using toothpaste. This method is ideal for maintaining the shine and prolonging the life of your silver items.
- Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
- Gently rub the silver to lift the tarnish.
- Rinse thoroughly under warm water to remove all residue.
- Dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.
2. Piano Keys
Piano keys can become stained and yellowed over time. Using toothpaste can effectively clean and whiten them, restoring their original brightness without damaging the delicate materials, whether ivory or plastic.
- Use a soft toothbrush or cloth with a small amount of toothpaste.
- Gently scrub each key to remove grime and stains.
- Wipe each key with a damp cloth afterward to remove any toothpaste residue.
3. Sneakers
Toothpaste is an excellent solution for cleaning sneakers, especially effective on white rubber soles. It can remove tough stains and scuffs, helping to restore sneakers to their original condition.
- Apply toothpaste on an old toothbrush.
- Scrub the dirty areas in circular motions.
- Wipe with a damp cloth or rinse under water to remove the toothpaste.
4. Water Spots on Furniture
Water spots or rings on wooden furniture can be unsightly and difficult to remove. Toothpaste offers a gentle yet effective solution for lifting these stains without damaging the wood’s finish.
- Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste directly onto the water spot.
- Rub gently with a soft cloth.
- Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly to prevent further water damage.
5. Iron Plates
Buildup on iron plates can cause clothes to stick or become dirty during ironing. Toothpaste can effectively clean this buildup, leaving your iron smooth and clean for better ironing results.
- Ensure the iron is unplugged and cool.
- Apply toothpaste and use a soft cloth to scrub the plate.
- Wipe with a slightly damp cloth to remove leftover toothpaste.
6. Car Headlights
Over time, car headlights can become cloudy and oxidized, reducing visibility. Toothpaste can be used to effectively polish and clear up the cloudiness of the headlights, improving both the appearance and safety of your vehicle.
- Apply toothpaste to a clean, damp cloth.
- Rub onto the headlight in circular motions to remove the haze.
- Rinse with water and wipe dry with another clean cloth to see the clear results.
7. Diamond Rings
Regular exposure to lotions, soaps, and everyday dirt can dull the sparkle of diamond rings. Toothpaste can gently and effectively clean these precious stones, restoring their natural brilliance without the need for professional cleaning services.
- Put toothpaste on an old soft toothbrush.
- Gently brush the diamond and its setting to remove buildup.
- Rinse thoroughly under cold water and dry with a soft cloth to bring back the shine.
8. Chrome Fixtures
Chrome fixtures can lose their shine due to fingerprints, water spots, and general household grime. Using toothpaste can help polish and restore these fixtures’ original shine without using abrasive chemicals.
- Apply toothpaste to a soft cloth.
- Rub it onto the fixtures in a gentle, circular motion to polish and remove any marks.
- Rinse with water and buff dry with a clean cloth for a sparkling finish.
9. Crayon Marks on Walls
Walls can easily become canvases for children, leading to crayon marks that are tough to clean. Toothpaste offers a simple and effective solution to remove these marks without damaging the paint.
- Apply toothpaste to a soft cloth.
- Gently rub it over the crayon marks to lift the wax.
- Wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue and maintain the wall’s clean appearance.
10. Leather Goods
Leather goods like jackets, bags, and shoes can suffer from dirt accumulation and scuffs. Toothpaste not only cleans these items but also conditions the leather, extending the life and enhancing the appearance of your leather goods.
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft cloth.
- Gently rub into the leather to lift dirt and reduce scuffs.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe off any excess toothpaste and dry the leather naturally to preserve its quality.
11. Cell Phones & Tablets
Cell phone and tablet screens are prone to fingerprints and smudges, which can obscure visibility and affect touch responsiveness. Toothpaste effectively cleans these surfaces without scratching the glass, making it a handy tool for electronic maintenance.
- Apply a tiny amount of toothpaste to a microfiber cloth.
- Gently rub the screen in circular motions to lift smudges and minor scratches.
- Wipe off the toothpaste with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
- Dry the screen with another clean, dry cloth for a polished finish.
12. Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses frequently accumulate daily grime and can develop fine scratches. Toothpaste can effectively clean these, providing a simple way to enhance the clarity of your lenses and extend the lifespan of your eyewear.
- Apply a little toothpaste on a soft cloth.
- Gently rub the lenses in circular motions to clean and minimize scratches.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water.
- Dry the lenses with a soft, lint-free cloth to avoid streaks.
13. CDs & DVDs
CDs and DVDs can become less functional due to minor scratches that affect the reading of the disc. Toothpaste offers a gentle solution to smooth out these scratches and possibly restore the functionality of your favorite discs.
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste directly onto the disc.
- Rub gently from the center to the outer edges in straight lines using a soft cloth.
- Rinse the disc under water to remove all toothpaste residue.
- Dry with a lint-free cloth to prevent further scratches.
14. Nail Holes in Walls
Small nail holes in walls from hanging pictures or shelves can be an eyesore, especially when preparing to repaint or move out. Toothpaste can temporarily fill these holes, providing a smooth surface that blends seamlessly with the rest of the wall.
- Squeeze toothpaste into the hole until it’s filled.
- Smooth out the surface using a putty knife or a piece of cardboard.
- Allow the toothpaste to dry completely.
- Paint over if necessary to match the surrounding wall.
15. Oven Racks
Oven racks often accumulate baked-on grime and grease, which can be challenging to clean. Toothpaste can cut through this buildup effectively, providing a non-toxic cleaning alternative that leaves your oven racks looking refreshed.
- Coat the racks with toothpaste using a scrub brush.
- Let it sit for a few minutes to break down the grease.
- Scrub the racks thoroughly to remove the grime.
- Rinse with warm water and repeat if necessary for tough stains.
Toothpaste proves to be a surprisingly versatile cleaning agent, capable of tackling a range of household tasks beyond just oral hygiene. By utilizing the mild abrasive qualities inherent in toothpaste, you can maintain and enhance various items around your home, demonstrating its multipurpose utility in everyday cleaning challenges.
Source:
- https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/12/3/64
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.