7 Unique Uses for Alcohol-Based Mouthwash

Mouthwash is advertised as an effective liquid that kills the bad germs in your mouth and gives you clean-smelling breath. However, mouthwash is like many other household products. It has many more uses than the use it was originally intended for! Here are 7 unique uses for alcohol-based mouthwash that can make your life a little easier:

1. Clean Minor Cuts and Scrapes With Mouthwash
Mouthwashes such as Listerine® brand contain a hefty amount of alcohol, at least twenty percent. Since alcohol is an effective germ killer, you can use a mouthwash that contains a lot of this ingredient to clean minor cuts and scrapes on your skin.

2. Keep your Toothbrushes Sanitary
No matter how clean you strive to keep your bathroom, it’s one room in your house where germs still float around on a daily basis. For example, did you know everytime your toilet is flushed, the germs that spray from the bowl can travel more than six feet? That’s why it’s important to keep your toothbrush inside a medicine cabinet and not sitting out in the open air. To kill any germs and bacteria that still may be lurking on your toothbrush, you should still use a mouthwash such as Listerine® to sanitize it everytime before you brush your teeth.

3. Kill Nail Fungus With Alcohol-Based Mouthwash
Nail Fungus is an infection of the nails on the hands and/or on the feet. It can cause your nails to turn thick and yellowish in color. Another unique use for alcohol-based mouthwash is to mix up a 50/50 solution with vinegar. Use a clean cotton ball to apply the solution to the affected nails two to three times a day. It will kill the fungus and make your nails healthy again.

4. Mouthwash Can Help Relieve Bruising
Have you ever run your arm or leg into a door and thought, “Ouch! That’s going to cause a bruise!” Accidents like these happen every day. The next time this happens to you, you can help relieve the bruising. Just reach for your mouthwash! Massage the injured area with a generous amount of mouthwash such as Listerine® brand. The alcohol will lessen the intensity of the bruise that will appear. In fact, the injured area of your skin may not even bruise!

5. Care for Your Tongue Piercing With Alcohol-Based Mouthwash
After you get your tongue pierced, rinsing your mouth with salt water can help promote healing. However, if you rinse your mouth with a solution of alcohol-based mouthwash mixed in tap water after every meal, it will help kill harmful bacteria that can cause infection. Stir two ounces of mouthwash into a cup of tap water.

6. Use Listerine® as a Hand Sanitizer
Do you carry those purse-sized bottles of hand sanitizer to kill harmful germs and bacteria? They’re rather pricey to buy. Their main ingredient is usually alcohol, that’s what sanitizes your skin. You can save money by using an alcohol-based mouthwash to clean your hands instead. Just pour some in a small bottle or leakproof container and use it as an effective, yet inexpensive hand sanitizer.

7. Dry-Up Itchy, Blistered Poison Ivy
Another unique use for alcohol-based mouthwash is to use a clean cotton ball to generously apply it to patches of Poison Ivy. Do this several times a day and the mouthwash will help relieve the itch and inflammation. It will also dry up the Poison Ivy so it can begin to heal.