8 Unexpected Ways To Use Mouthwash Around Your Home

Mouthwash is one of those products that intertwines with nearly every aspect of our lives. We use it morning and night, travel with it on long trips, and may even keep a small bottle on hand to refresh during the day during work or school. In fact, data from Grand View Research found the value of the oral rinse market exceeded $6.5 billion in 2021, with anticipation for this number to continue growing at an impressive rate through 2030. This means you or someone you live with will probably have some close by to use around the house if you run out of your regular cleaning products or need to fix something in a pinch.

There's no shortage of ways to repurpose mouthwash throughout your home and yard to achieve impressive results at a relatively inexpensive cost. Some people reach for this antibacterial rinse to help with all kinds of tasks, including deodorizing laundry, cleaning various surfaces, and even repelling insects. So, if you have an extra bottle of mouthwash lying around, take one of these repurposing hacks and find a fun new house for this everyday product.

If you've seen a cockroach or two scurrying around your house after turning the lights on, you're probably panicked and wondering what to do. Thankfully, if there are no signs of an infestation, which can include finding a large number of droppings or smelling a strange, foul odor that's new to your home, you can try mouthwash to get rid of cockroaches. Using a bottle, spray a mouthwash that contains alcohol, like Listerine, in areas like bathrooms and kitchens where cockroaches are common, being sure to hit corners and under appliances or vanities.

There's nothing better than a vase of fresh-cut flowers to perk up your space, but they always seem to wilt in just a few days. Thankfully, adding mouthwash to fresh flowers can help them last longer by keeping bacteria that feed on the plant at bay. It's a great alternative to the packets of flower preservatives that usually come with blooms from a florist that you more than likely already have on hand. A good ratio for this mouthwash repurposing hack is one capful of Listerine per quart vase.

Garbage disposal odors can be intense and lead to further issues and complete clogs if it's caused by food buildup. To freshen up your stinky garbage disposal, try pouring around a cup of mouthwash into the drain and then run it with cool water turned on for a few minutes. Repeat as needed if you still notice an odor, and be sure to opt for an antiseptic mouthwash for the best results. While these small machines are powerful, it's important to be mindful of what types of food shouldn't go in a garbage disposal.

It's easy to forget that the machine that helps clean our clothes also needs to be cleaned and refreshed sometimes. Whether it's been a while since you've given your washing machine some TLC or you've started to notice a foul odor, running a cycle with mouthwash can help minimize odors in the drum and stop them from transferring to your clean clothes. You can achieve this by adding a cup of mouthwash to an empty cycle set to regular. However, be sure to opt for a formula with no added dyes to prevent staining.

Did you know you can use mouthwash on glass to remove fingerprints and smudges? It's true; this common bathroom item is excellent for cleaning glass, specifically formulas with some type of alcohol like Listerine. To remove fingerprints from glass screens on items like phones, computers, and TVs, use a microfiber cloth to apply mouthwash to the surface and gently rub away imperfections. You can also use a spray bottle to dampen glass with the product, but be sure not to add too much mouthwash to electronic items, as it can cause damage.

Have you noticed your floors looking lackluster and in desperate need of a deep cleaning? Don't automatically reach for your commercial floor cleaner when the secret to squeaky clean floors is that extra bottle of mouthwash hidden in your closet or bathroom drawer. Just dilute around ½ cup of mouthwash in 2 cups of water and use this mixture directly on your floors. It's important to note that this method is best for sealed, durable types of flooring like laminate and tile. You should avoid using mouthwash on more delicate materials like hardwood.

If you're a fan of DIY cleaning hacks or just want to see what happens when you put mouthwash in your toilet, you'll be happy to learn it will leave your bowl sparkling clean. The process is simple, too. All you have to do is add mouthwash to the toilet just like you would with any other cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. While outside of the box, this cleaning method will leave your toilet bacteria-free and can come in handy if you ever run out of your regular cleaning products.

The last way to repurpose mouthwash is by using it as a toothbrush disinfectant. This DIY method is an excellent way to help extend the life of your brush in between replacements, which should be every three months. However, if you're in a situation where you've dropped your toothbrush and want to clean it or just feel like it needs to be refreshed, letting the bristles soak in mouthwash for a couple of minutes should do the trick. If you notice that the brush has a foul odor or bent bristles, you may need to replace it.