Is Mouthwash The Secret To Squeaky Clean Floors?

Most of us have Listerine in our homes to keep up with our oral hygiene. But you might be surprised to know that mouthwash can also be used to wash your floors. Listerine was invented in 1879 as a medical antiseptic made from essential oils. Later it was also marketed as a hair tonic, gonorrhea cure, dandruff reducer, and floor cleaner. So yes, the antimicrobial properties in Listerine will disinfect your floors and get them squeaky clean.

Just dilute some of the mouthwash into a bucket of water and mop your floors with the mixture. The thymol in Listerine works to eradicate grime and bacteria on your floors. Thymol comes from thyme oil, which has antimicrobial properties and is used as a germicide in household cleaners and pesticides. The menthol in Listerine acts as an antibacterial agent. It will also make your floors smell nice. Listerine's alcohol content is what will give your floors a nice shine and help them to dry fast. This makes it a popular cleaning method for vinyl and tile floors, which can be dangerously slippery when too wet.

To clean your floors with Listerine you'll need a bottle of mouthwash, water, a bucket, and a mop or sponge. We suggest using Listerine's original formula, as this one is an antiseptic and doesn't have blue dye which could potentially discolor your floor. While using Listerine is suitable for cleaning tile and vinyl floors it isn't recommended for wood floors.

Pour two cups of water into your bucket. Add about one-half cup of Listerine and stir the mix together. Dunk your mop in and use it to wash your floors or dip your sponge in the solution to clean tile by hand. Pouring it into a spray bottle can also be convenient. 

Not only will it keep your floors clean and smelling good, but it will also help your floors to stay clean. The cleaning power of Listerine also helps to halt the regrowth of bacteria on surfaces. That's what makes it one of the best secret methods for cleaning your floors.