More than Just a Mouthwash: 40 Surprising Alternative Uses for Listerine

Listerine has become a byname for mouthwash thanks to its domination of the market as the go-to antiseptic for killing the bacteria that cause bad breath. Though it may be the world’s most recognizable mouthwash, the minty liquid has some amazing alternative uses that are known to few people. Indeed, it is a remedy for various conditions which we shall highlight here.

Just like an actual aftershave, dabbing Listerine mouthwash after shaving will leave your skin disinfected. This eliminates the possibility that any bacteria left on the surface of the delicately shaved skin might enter the follicles and cause itching or infection.

Toenail fungus needs to be treated. Otherwise, it can spread out, affecting your skin and making you itchy and uncomfortable. Athlete’s foot and other nail infections can spread, creating cracks in the skin of your feet which can get painful and become a massive hindrance.

Flushing the toilet right after use, on a regular basis, doesn’t necessarily prevent the accumulation of stains around the bowl. For those who easily get queasy, this can quickly become unpleasant. Therefore, even the cleanest of toilets could use some special Listerine treatment if they have stains or residue. 

Many people have itchy skin, caused by various allergies and irritants, manifests at night, preventing them from falling asleep. Mosquitoes and insect bites can give you similar trouble when it’s too late in the evening to go to the pharmacy for antihistamines.

Depending on the body part punctured by piercing, the skin might start to discolor a bit, and the bleeding might be prolonged. Infections occur, especially if one keeps touching the affected area with unwashed hands, allowing bacteria to get inside the broken skin and thrive. 

Dandruff may cause an itchy scalp, and the temptation to scratch it (even in public) can be tough to ignore. When you ultimately do, the scales are loosened, settling on the fabric of your shirt or throughout your hair. Though it’s not your fault if you have dandruff, this can be embarrassing. 

Some people just perspire more profusely than others, regardless of what the weather is like. As sweat and sebum mix with bacteria, you can end up with an icky odor that’s bothersome for anyone within close proximity.

The mere mention of head lice is enough to evoke an itchy feeling in your scalp, accompanied by an image of tiny, wingless insects nesting and foraging in your hair. Though this may sound intense, it’s precisely what happens with a lice infestation. Millions of children are treated for head lice each year in the United States alone.

People have become so attached to their phones that they need to have the device close to them almost wherever they go. They bring it when jogging to store activity data, in the gym, restroom, theater, and all that jazz.

Once bitten by an insect, the injected substance causes the skin to swell, redden, and grow itchy. While in many cases this may be harmless, the intensity of the pain from the bite may vary.

Now that we know how mouthwash can prevent the spread of infectious cooties in human hair and skin, it is wonderful to know that our furry best friends can also benefit from Listerine’s decontamination prowess. 

Wasps and bees generally only attack people when they feel they need to defend themselves or their nest or hive. If you keep calm, an insect that lands on you will usually just fly away. Otherwise, they may thrust a barbed stinger into your skin that will cause a large localized swelling mixed with pain and itchiness.

Forgot to bring a toner with you while traveling or camping? Listerine can be used to swab oil and dirt particles from your face and unblock your pores if your skin is looking congested. 

Before Listerine became popular worldwide as a mouthwash, it was originally developed as a surgical antiseptic, used by doctors primarily to disinfect cuts and prevent post-surgical wound infections. It was only more than a decade after its development that it evolved into a solution for oral care.

It is advisable to replace a toothbrush every three to four months. This may seem extreme, but it’s important to remember it has been battling with a daily onslaught of germs and plaque. Thankfully, you can keep your toothbrush fresh by disinfecting it with Listerine.

Some people are quick to bruise, even after minor bumps and stumbles. It is not uncommon to get black and blue marks when lifting weights at the gym, and older people get bruised easily because of their thinning skin.

Dirt gradually accumulates on computer monitors after a while, making images appear blurry. Touching your screen is a common habit that could lead to invisible germs thriving there. You don’t want to know how many gross microscopic things are lurking on your fingers. 

When clothes are dumped inside a washing machine for cleaning, millions of bacteria are essentially thrown in along with them. Shared laundry, which is not uncommon, is an eclectic compilation of all sorts of germs that will thrive even more in the low-temperature water the machine uses.

The garbage you throw in the bin will start to stink in a few hours as it begins to decompose. The longer it stays there mixed with other stuff, the more penetrating it will be to your olfactory system. This is due to the production of gases and chemicals that are part of the breakdown of organic and inorganic matter.

Bathrooms are a haven for germs that need to be cleaned regularly to avoid developing sickness in the household, especially among those who are highly vulnerable. Toilet bowls, bathtubs, windows, and sinks, can all be high-risk spots for germ accumulation. They can be breeding grounds for pathogens and potentially harmful organisms if not sanitized. 

It is recommended by the American Dental Association to brush your teeth twice a day, ideally thirty minutes to an hour after a meal. This takes out the food debris in between your teeth and brushes away acidity, while dental floss removes everything a toothbrush cannot reach.

If the plants in your backyard are not developing as expected, or if you’re seeing crinkles in the leaves, stem rust, or bacterial spots, chances are your soil is infested with fungi. Fungi comprise the majority of plant pathogens and need to be taken out.

Tick bites are generally harmless. These tiny parasites are common in woodlands, and they like to stick on human body parts that are warm and full of blood. However, there are tick-borne diseases that may manifest in the form of fever, chills, headaches, muscle pain, and worse. They can be even more dangerous for pets, so it’s essential to be vigilant.

Though they can provide relief for the common cold or flu, a humidifier may turn harmful if mineral deposits from the water accumulate and develop mold. Once this happens, the device will blow harmful bacteria into the air, destroying its therapeutic value.

Wall decor provides a finishing touch to your home’s interior design, setting a theme that evokes the mood you want to begin each day with. It may be expensive and require occasional dusting off, but it’s worth it. The only problem is, the metal parts may eventually lose their luster because of the air’s moisture content.

The leftovers thrown in a garbage disposal unit will soon stink as they decompose and create chemical reactions with other scraps. This offensive odor may stick in the garbage bins even after the food waste is gone.

Blisters are usually harmless but also annoyingly painful. Skin friction causes them to form, especially on the hands and feet or any body part that experiences friction, heat, or chemical burns. Though they may be on the outermost layer of the skin, blisters still need to be treated to prevent them from developing an infection. 

Sore throats can often be avoided by installing a humidifier at home, which addresses dryness in the atmosphere of the room. However, they may also be caused by irritants in the environment, allergies to pets, pollen from the nearby garden, or dust, among other things.

Toothaches can be caused by many different things. The reasons often trace back to high levels of acidity in your food and drinks, a dental cavity, or a broken tooth that leaves the inner nerves exposed and vulnerable.

Pimples can sometimes discourage people from going out in public. It’s not only a bump on one’s self-esteem, but it can be physically painful too as the body ceaselessly attempts to push the bacteria back out to the skin’s surface where it belongs. This condition can be persistent, and it sometimes feels like it will never heal.

Windows are essential to the overall beauty of a house. Through them, the sunlight passes to provide each room with warmth, bouncing from floor tiles to wall art and decor to highlight the colors you have in your home. However, the glass will accumulate dust in time and lose its clarity. Mold may even develop on the panes and around the corners.  

Mold thrives in places that are rich in moisture. These minute living organisms require oxygen and food, just as we do. For this reason, it is more likely to find their growth in the kitchen, where dampness abounds thanks to the sink, network of pipes, and spots where leaks may pop up unnoticed. 

No matter how many times you scrub your hands after chopping garlic or peeling shrimp, the smell just seems to linger. If you’re desperate to get rid of these malodorous traces, Listerine can help.

Some people tend to sweat more than others, and if you have sweaty hands or feet, the results can be embarrassing. This could cause the feet to stink when the perspiration mingles with the dirt and bacteria in your shoes and socks.

The black coating on the surface of cast iron may peel off, and, these flakes might find their way into your cooked food, but this is not harmful. Still, it is important to clean your cast iron cookware the right way. Ultimately, you must avoid using soap which is likely to remove the oil-based coating. 

Bacteria can be found in every part of the human body. Studies even show that these microorganisms actually outnumber our human cells. Aside from probiotics, which are commonly known as good bacteria, things like strep throat, tuberculosis, and other unpleasant conditions may be caused by the more insidious ones.

Once a flower is cut from the garden and put in a vase, it is necessary to put your arrangement where there is just the right amount of sunlight. Too much light can be as bad as too little for cut flowers. If well cared for, a cut flower will normally last for seven to twelve days. 

The beauty and artistry of a place can be easily undermined by a dirty floor as it creates an unpleasant experience for anyone who steps on it. Filthy floors are also a breeding ground for pathogens, and, before you know it, people inside will start to sneeze and itch.

If you notice more bugs and flies coming into your home, it’s time to investigate the source. Start by looking into areas where there is moisture or food waste since these are common sites from which infestations may start. Remember that insects reproduce fast and are even more active during the summertime. 

Coughs are a natural reaction produced by your body to eject pathogens or irritants from your system. It is a hassle for working people and it can keep you from sleeping well at night. In the post-pandemic world, it’s also terrifying when you need to cough in public, even if you know for sure it’s from an allergy.