20 Surprising Uses for Toothpaste

Toothpaste isn't just for making your teeth white and promoting good dental health. It boasts an array of household uses. Here are some handy ways you can take advantage of multitasking toothpaste that have nothing to do with your teeth.

1.  Eliminate shoe scuff
   Squirt a dab of toothpaste on the scuffed area of leather shoes. Rub with a soft cloth. Wipe clean with a damp one. You'll be left with leather that looks like new. 
2. Freshen bottles
   Do your baby bottles have a sour-milk smell? Put some toothpaste on your bottle brush instead of dish soap. Scrub and rinse thoroughly. You can also apply this cleaning tactic to other containers like thermoses. 
3. Clear pimples
   Apply non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste to your pimple. The toothpaste dehydrates the pimple and absorbs its oil. So, it should be dried up by morning. Note that this method works best on pimples that have come to a head and may irritate sensitive skin.
4. Clean foggy headlights
   Put some toothpaste on a sponge. Scrub the headlight in a circular motion. Remove toothpaste with a damp cloth. 
5. Revive piano keys
   Apply toothpaste to a toothbrush and rub onto dingy keys. Then wipe down with a damp cloth.
6. Remove crayon from walls
   Did your toddler think that the wall was an acceptable place to color? Grab a tube of non-gel toothpaste and a rag or scrub brush. Squirt the toothpaste onto the "artwork" and scrub. Rinse with a clean damp cloth. Your wall will return to normal in no time.
7. Whiten sneakers
   Get non-gel toothpaste and a toothbrush. Scrub the rubber part of your sneakers until white. When done, remove the residue with a damp cloth.
8. Say good-bye to tea and coffee stains on mugs
   Have a stubborn ring on your favorite mug? Apply a little toothpaste to help remove it.  Then wash as usual.
9. Shine diamonds
   Put some toothpaste on a soft toothbrush. Rub on the diamond, cleaning off residue with a damp cloth. Your jewelry will shimmer and sparkle after just a few minutes.
10. Clean your iron
    Apply non-gel toothpaste to your cool clothing iron. Scrub with a rag. Rinse clean and the gunk will be gone from the bottom plate of your iron.
11. Avoid fogged goggles
    Coat goggles with toothpaste and wipe them off. Doing so help prevent goggles from fogging when you're doing activities like woodworking, skiing, swimming or scuba diving.
12. Remove water marks on furniture
    Did someone forget to use a coaster on your wooden table? Apply some non-gel toothpaste onto a soft cloth and rub onto the wood on the ring only (to avoid damaging the wood's finish). Wipe off with a damp cloth. Let dry. Then apply furniture polish.
13. Deodorize the bathroom sink
    Grab the tube from the medicine cabinet. Squirt some into the sink. Scrub with a sponge. Rinse. Not only will this strategy clean your sink, it will also kill any odors coming from the drain.
14. Prevent foggy bathroom mirrors
    Before you hop into the shower, coat your bathroom mirror with non-gel toothpaste. Wipe it off before you get in. When you're done showering, the mirror won't be foggy.
15. Banish odors on your hands
    Rub hands with toothpaste and rinse. This process helps remove garlic and fishy smells from your hands and fingers. 
16. Shine kitchen and bathroom chrome
    Don't have kitchen or bathroom cleaner handy? Smear toothpaste on chrome. Polish with a dry, soft cloth.
17. Stop bug bites from itching
    Apply a dime-sized amount of toothpaste onto your bug bite to help prevent it from itching. It can also help cool down burns on your skin.
18. Wipe away makeup smudges
    Did you accidentally get lipstick or mascara on your countertop, fingertips or mirror? Use some toothpaste to remove the mark quickly.
19. Get rid of a carpet stain
    Apply toothpaste to a toothbrush or sponge. Rub into the stain on the carpet. Blot with a clean damp cloth and repeat as needed.
20. Bid adieu to beach tar
    Rub some non-gel toothpaste onto feet that are covered in black beach tar. Rinse.