15 Uncommon Uses For Toothpaste

Graphic © myfamilysurvivalplan.com. Photo – Pixabay (PD)

Toothpaste comes regularly in paste or gel form and it’s used in maintaining the health and aesthetics of teeth by fighting various tooth and gum conditions. But apart from cleaning your teeth, toothpaste can serve a multitude of other household related purposes. Its chemical makeup renders it an all-purpose tool when you might be lacking certain other things around the house.

Not only is it cheap and easy to find, but most of us actually keep more than one tube around the house. In what’s to come, we’ll take a look at some uses for toothpaste, non-teeth related purposes that a simple tube of toothpaste can serve.

1. Remove clothing stains

It works great in removing oily, tough stains from fabrics. Apply toothpaste on the stained area and with a little water, and gently rub the spot. After a minute or so of rubbing, just throw the fabric in the washer. If the stain is old, you’ll most likely need to the toothpaste bit a couple of more times for results to show. It doesn’t work on all fabrics or stains, but it does wonders for ink spots. P.S. don’t use a whitening toothpaste (with bleaching effects) on colored fabrics; a regular toothpaste will do.

2. Remove carpet stains

It works just as good on carpet fabric as it does on clothing. Just add toothpaste to the affected area and clean the spot with a toothbrush, in a circular motion; much like cleaning your teeth. After scrubbing, rinse and repeat until the spot is gone. The process will get out almost everything and make you carpet brand new. But some stains are resistant to toothpaste, especially if the stain is caused by an acid-based substance. In such a case toothpaste becomes useless.

3. Remove scuffs

Toothpaste can easily remove leather scuffs. Put some toothpaste on a soft cloth and gently rub the leather surface. After you’re done, rinse the area with a damp cloth. It works on everything that’s made out of leather. The same principle applies to linoleum. 

4. Whiten piano keys

The ivory white keys can be easily cleaned with a cotton swab that’s been previously dampened in a little water and then in a pinch of toothpaste. Take your time and do it right. It will take some time, but when you’re done, wipe the keys dry and then buff them with a soft, clean cloth and you’ll have brand new piano keys again.

5. Whiten nails

Whitening peroxide toothpaste will have no problem in polishing and brightening finger and toenails alike. Whether your nails have been darkened in time due to excessive usage of nail polish or they’re naturally yellowish, there’s still hope. Add toothpaste, brush them carefully with a toothbrush and when you’re all done, add the finishing touch and soak them in lemon juice for a couple of minutes.

6. Shine chrome surfaces

The chromed pieces around the house (especially faucets) will get water stains in time. Because if it’s abrasive nature, toothpaste will act in the same way professional cleaning products for chromed surfaces will. Just add toothpaste to the stains, scrub and rinse with water. You’ll have the chrome pieces shiny and brand new again in no time. 

7. Remove crayon marks from walls

If your kids have been running amok around the house and you’re stuck with crayon marks all over the walls, don’t panic. There’s hope yet, as long as you have toothpaste (non-gel) around the house. Apart from a toothpaste, you’ll also need a clean rag or a scrub brush. Spread the toothpaste on the wall and scrub it good (preferably in circular motions). The abrasive agents in the toothpaste will remove the colors from the walls eventually.

8. Remove watermarks from furniture

Even though you might have a ton of coasters around the house, you’re bound to get water marks at some point; they’re unavoidable and just the worst. If you want to clean those right up, simply add some non-gel toothpaste, let it sit for a couple of seconds and rub it off with a soft fabric. Once you’re done scrubbing wipe it off with a dry cloth. Before adding furniture polish make sure the surface is perfectly dry.

9. Deodorize your hands

Just as toothpaste deodorizes the inside of your mouth, so it can deodorize your hands. If you’ve dealt with anything smelly throughout the day that’s left your hands smelling worse than French cheese, just wash them thoroughly with cold water and toothpaste. The chemicals in the paste will destroy the bacteria that causes the bad smell and will leave your hands smelling great.

10. Deodorize baby bottles

Toothpaste works just as well in removing the sour milk smell from baby bottles. You’ll need to scrub both the inside and the outside of the baby bottle with a mixture of water and toothpaste. Once you’re done scrubbing, rinse with water and then throw the bottle in the dishwasher and wash regularly. 

11. Polish silver

Toothpaste can polish everything made out of silver, be it jewelry, silverware picture frames etc. What you’ll need is a regular toothpaste (gel-based aren’t as efficient), a soft, clean cloth or better yet, a toothbrush. Just add some paste on your soft cloth or toothbrush and start scrubbing the silvery surface like there’s no tomorrow. You start to notice the difference in no time, as the tarnish will come off little by little. When you think you’re done, simply rinse and dry off with a dry cloth.

12. Shine diamonds

If you want to give a precious gemstone that old sparkle back, you just need a regular tube of toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Just add a little pate on the toothbrush and start brushing gently until you see the shine returning. When you’re done brushing rinse with water and rub gently with a soft cloth.

13. Fill holes in the wall

If you’ve had perforated walls which have bothered you for a long time, just know you don’t need Spackle to get the job done. A pinch of toothpaste will work pretty much in the same way when it comes to filling up holes left by nails screws, pins etc. The toothpaste hardens and makes for a great temporary solution. Just beware of how much you’re adding, as too much can make the situation even worse if at some point you decide to deal with the problem properly.

14. Treat pimples

The adding of toothpaste to an acne affected area is a well-known treatment that has been around for decades. However, adding toothpaste alone won’t solve much, except dehydration of the affected area. For the best result, you should mix toothpaste with crushed aspirin. The toothpaste will dehydrate as usual and the salicylic acids in the aspirin will fight off infection and decrease the inflammation.

15. Remove cell phone / watch scratches

Your cell phone or watch display will undoubtedly get damaged and scratched with the passing of time unless of course, you have the right protection. If not, tiny marks will start to appear. These are easily removed with toothpaste. Just dip your finger gently in toothpaste and rub the screen. Once you’re done rinse with a damp cloth and ultimately dry the surface with a soft cloth.

As you’ve seen by now, having some toothpaste around the house can really pay off. Especially if you find yourself out of certain cleaning products. Cleaning stuff around the house it’s fine, but remember that toothpaste is first of all for cleaning your teeth. Don’t overlook oral hygiene, as dental health is really important.

10 Incredible Off-Grid Uses For Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an all-natural chalky, soft powder formed from the microscopic fossilized remains of ancient single-celled animals, called diatoms. If you haven’t heard of diatomaceous earth and some of its amazing uses in and around your home, get ready to have one of those hand-against-your-forehead who-would-have-thought moments.

Making up about 26 percent of the earth’s crust, DE is found in sediments from rivers, lakes, streams and oceans all over the world. It is almost 90 percent silica, which is found in human hair, skin, and nails. When viewed through a microscope, DE looks like a tube with holes in it. It is very hard, has a very strong negative charge and contains about 20 trace minerals. Note that there is a considerable difference between food grade and non-food grade DE, with the food-grade being considered much safer to use in a wider variety of applications.

The FDA classifies food-grade DE as safe, and it has an amazing amount of uses and benefits. Here is a list of our Top 10:

1. Toothpaste. DE has abrasive properties and is an effective natural alternative to commercial chemical-laden toothpaste. Just add your own natural flavoring, such as mint, and sprinkle a little DE on your toothbrush. DE also works to control bad breath.

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2. Deodorant. Are you ready to stop using antiperspirants which interfere with your body’s natural detox system, but baking soda, a common alternative, leaves you with a rash? Here’s a recipe to try that uses DE.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• 1/4 cup food grade DE
• 5-7 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Directions

• Combine DE and arrowroot powder or cornstarch.
• Add 5 tablespoons melted coconut oil and mix well with a fork. Continue adding coconut oil until desired consistency.
• Transfer mixture to a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Using your fingertips, apply a small amount to underarms as needed.

3. Facial Scrub. Because of its high mineral content, DE makes a gentle facial scrub and facial mask.

Directions: Mix about 1 tablespoon of DE with water, Aloe Vera juice or slightly diluted honey to make a thick paste. Lightly massage the paste onto your face using your fingertips and small, circular motions. Allow the paste to set for two minutes, before removing with a warm washcloth using similar circular motions. Avoid using this scrub near the eyes or on irritated or chapped skin.

4. Food storage. Add DE to your stored grains and legumes to help keep them dry, to keep away pests and to prevent spoilage.

5. Pest control. Food grade DE can be used to eliminate bed bugs, fleas, roaches, spiders, earwigs and garden pests such as slugs and beetles. Around the inside of your home, try sprinkling it into cracks and crevices where bugs can enter.

6. Kitchen deodorizer. Place a small container of DE in your fridge and freezer to reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors. Replace every few weeks or as needed. DE also is useful in neutralizing garbage can odors. Sprinkle some in the bottom of your can.

7. Metal Cleaner. Make a simple paste of DE and water to use as a metal polish. It also works well as a soft scrub for the shower, tub, and sink.

8. Driveway oil stains. To remove unsightly stains from your garage floor or driveway, sprinkle the affected area with enough DE to cover it completely. Let the powder soak up the oil for about 24 hours before removing the excess with a scraper and then sweeping away the remains.

9. Shoe odor. Place DE inside a nylon knee-high and tie the top end shut. Place inside shoe or boot to help absorb unpleasant odor when not wearing.

10. Carpet cleaner. Sprinkle DE on carpet stains and lightly work the powder into it before letting it set for several hours. Then vacuum.

In addition to its home uses, many people use food grade DE as a nutritional supplement, primarily for bone and joint health, and as a detoxifying agent.

What are your favorite uses for diatomaceous earth? Leave your reply in the section below:

By Tricia Drevets – www.offthegridnews.com

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Graphic – www.myfamilysurvivalplan.com. Images – Pixabay (PD), Wikipedia (PD)