8 Alternative Uses for Listerine

Did you know Listerine, which was formulated in 1879, was originally developed as a surgical antiseptic and, historically, has been used for all sorts of things? It actually wasn’t marketed for bad breath until the 1970s! If you’ve got a stash of Listerine sitting in your bathroom closet, check out some of the cool, unconventional ways that you can use it—and maybe save yourself a few bucks!

1. The ingredients found in Listerine (eucalyptus, alcohol, and thyme), can kill bacteria that cause acne.

Dab Listerine on the affected area using a clean cotton ball—just be sure not to use too much, and be cautious if you have sensitive skin.

2. Skip the pricey products and use mouthwash to get rid of your pet’s fleas.

You can use Listerine in a couple of different ways, including mixing it with shampoo in a bath or diluting it with water and using it as a spray. To get step-by-step instructions on how to use Listerine to kill fleas, check out this guide from eHow.

3. Banish stinky feet and alleviate athletes foot.

To keep foot odor at bay, soak a cotton ball in Listerine and rub it all over your feet. You can apply a small amount along the inside of your shoes, as well. Using Listerine has more than one perk for feet—it has been shown to help alleviate athletes foot, too.

4. Eliminate germs and odors in your garbage disposal.

Speaking of stinky things, have you ever been cooking in your kitchen and noticed a foul smell emanating from your sink? To eliminate sink odors, simply pour half a cup of mouthwash down the disposal.

Related: Did You Know Your Toothpaste Stockpile Could Also Do All This?

5. Out of deodorant? Use Listerine!

Okay, I know what you’re thinking—a KCL run out of deodorant?! Perhaps it’s not likely, but on that off chance that you actually do find yourself without a stick of deodorant, now you can have a backup. Simply dab a bit of the mouthwash on a cotton ball or towel, wipe it on your underarms and you’re good to go!

6. Kill the germs on your toothbrush.

Immersing your brush in Listerine for 20 minutes has been proven to be just as effective as soaking your brush in expensive toothbrush sanitizers.

7. Use the anti-fungal ingredients in Listerine to get rid of dandruff.

Dandruff, which is actually caused by a fungus called Pityrosporum, can not only be embarrassing, but it can be extremely uncomfortable and itchy. To use Listerine as a dandruff treatment, wet your hair thoroughly with the mouthwash and wrap your hair in a towel. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then shampoo as normal. You may need to do multiple treatments before the Listerine kills off all of the fungus and eliminates the dandruff completely.

8. Clean your shower, toilet, sinks, and floors—and kill mold and mildew.

If you’re using Listerine on shower mold or mildew, you can use it full strength, but if you want to use it to clean other things around the house, fill a spray bottle with half Listerine and half water. Not only will you have a clean house, but it will smell minty fresh!

Related: 8 Brilliant Ways to Reuse Baby Wipes Containers