Do you think that toothpaste is just for your teeth? Think again! Toothpaste can actually be used in a lot of other applications, including cleaning things in your home! In some cases, it may actually work better than your usual all-purpose cleaner! Take a look at these 8 Ways to Use Toothpaste to Clean Your Home!
8 Ways to Use Toothpaste to Clean Your Home
Do note that these ways to use toothpaste in cleaning apply to cases where you use white, non-gel versions of conventional toothpaste brands, like basic Colgate or Crest. Naturally derived toothpastes may or may not work the same.
1. Clean Your Sink
Toothpaste can be used to clean porcelain sinks! Just use an old toothbrush or a scrub brush, and scrub the toothpaste around the sink bowl. Then rinse the sink with water and wipe it down with a towel to reveal your beautiful clean sink!
2. Clean Crayon Off Walls
The next time your kids get crayon on the walls, you won’t have to panic! All you need is toothpaste and a damp cloth. Use the cloth to rub the toothpaste over the crayon, then use a separate wet cloth to wipe the toothpaste off the wall. Then you can dry your clean walls with a dry towel or paper towel. You won’t want to do this on walls with flat paint, though, as you could easily rub the paint off. You should also be careful on walls painted with high-gloss paint.
3. Clean Piano Keys
Another of the handy ways to use toothpaste is to use it as a way to clean your piano’s keys! Just use a damp cloth with some toothpaste on it to rub the paste onto the keys, then take a dry cloth and buff the keys. Wipe the keys dry and they should be shining!
4. Shine Chrome
Don’t let the chrome faucets and hardware in your kitchen and bathroom look dull! An easy way to remove water spots and get your chrome shining again is to use toothpaste! Just put the toothpaste on a dry cloth, rub it into the chrome, then buff it off with a clean part of the cloth. Your chrome will be shining in no time!
5. Clean Water Stains on Wood
If you forgot to use a coaster the last time you set a drink down on your wood furniture, toothpaste can help! You can easily get rid of water rings by taking a clean cloth, putting a little toothpaste on it, then buffing that into the water stain. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth, then dry it with a clean cloth. You may want to follow that up with furniture polish to get your wood furniture’s shine 100% back. This should be safe on wood with or without a varnish on it.
6. Clean Permanent Marker Off of Wood
It’s not just kids that get permanent marker on things. Sometimes you’re using one and it just slips! The next time that happens around your wood furniture, grab your toothpaste. Put a little bit of paste on a damp cloth, rub it onto the marks, then wipe it off with a clean damp cloth. If the mark is gone, dry the area with a dry cloth. You may have to do this a few times (and use some elbow grease!) before the marks totally disappear.
7. Polish Silver
Who needs to buy silver polish when toothpaste can do the job just as well? All you have to do is put a generous amount of toothpaste on a clean cloth, and rub it into your tarnished silver. Then buff it off with another clean cloth or a paper towel. To get the job done fastest, use toothpaste with a lot of hydrated silica in it (like toothpaste designed for tartar control).
8. Clean Your Grout
Tired of dingy looking grout? Then you’ll be happy that one of the ways to use toothpaste is as a grout whitener! Whitening toothpastes work best for this. All you need is the toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Scrub the toothpaste into the grout, keeping a damp cloth on hand. You’ll want to work in small sections, wiping the dirty toothpaste up as you work along, otherwise it could dry and become more difficult to remove. An old battery operated toothbrush can help speed this process up a lot!
Do you use toothpaste for anything other than dental hygiene?
Comments & Reviews
Sandra Watts says
Great tips. Thanks for sharing them.
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
I’m not sure I knew any of these!! So helpful!! I was just wondering what I could use to clean our piano keys.. they definitely need some TLC.
janie vezina says
great hacks to try with toothpaste.. who knew it could be used in other ways than your mouth? my kids may be on to something. lol
Andrea Van says
Cleaning piano keys… What a great idea!
Amber Ludwig says
Seriously all genius!! Especially the grout one!! SUCH a major pain!! This is crazy!! Cannot believe Ive never thought of toothpaste before!!!
Amy Hall says
I didn’t know that about the crayon and marker, that’s great tips. I would however say I think for the piano keys it’s probably not meaning ivory keys, like I have, and a lot of people likely still have if they have older pianos. Correct me if I’m wrong, though, I’d love something I could clean ivory keys with!
Nicole Williams says
Thank you for the tips!
Emma says
I have so much cleaning to do before this little one shows up… definitely need to try some of these out!