While it’s no substitute for brushing and flossing, throwing a thorough mouthwash rinse into your routine can clear out odor and plaque-causing bacteria from the nooks and crannies in your mouth.
But did you know that your mouth rinse can serve purposes other than keeping your smile clean? Highlands Ranch Dental Group has explored the various cost-saving ways that mouthwash can stand in for other products.
How it All Began
When it was first developed in 1879, rinsing pearly whites wasn’t the intended use for mouthwash. It was made to be used as a surgical antiseptic. It was only later that medical professionals found that it held a dual function as a mouth disinfectant.
Today, savvy consumers use oral rinses for a number of other things. Keep reading to learn our five alternative ways to use mouthwash. For all of these methods, you will want to make sure to use an alcohol-based rinse.
Our Five Favorite Alternative Uses for Mouthwash
- Dry Scalp Treatment: Thanks to mouthwash’s antifungal ingredient, eucalyptol, it can serve as a dandruff treatment. Combine 1-part mouthwash, 1-part witch hazel, and 8-parts water in a spray bottle and spray roots and scalp.
- Deodorant: This was another of mouthwash’s early intended uses! Its antiseptic ingredients, like eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, and thymol, work to kill bacteria that causes underarm odor. Simply saturate a cotton ball with mouthwash and sweep a few times.
- Washing Machine Refresher: When water doesn’t completely drain from your washing machine, this can create a haven for stinky bacteria to grow. Just add an alcohol-based, sugar-free mouthwash to your next laundry cycle. Just a cup will be enough to kill germs. Be sure that you use a mouthwash that doesn’t have any dyes that will stain your clothes.
- Fresh Flower Enhancer: A capfull of mouthwash added to your vase will get rid of the bacteria that kill flowers.
- Athlete’s Foot Treatment: The alcohol and antiseptic ingredients in mouthwash help treat fungal infections. Use a mouthwash-soaked cotton ball to swipe over affected areas.
We hope you find these alternative uses to be helpful. Remember that one of the best things you can do with mouthwash is rinse your mouth–but don’t forget to brush and floss, too!