According to Statista, in 2015, Listerine sales in the United States exceeded $340 million. That’s a lot of Listerine! And if you take into account all other mouthwash brands, these figures are closer to $1 billion. There is no doubt that Americans use mouthwash for its intended purpose: oral hygiene. But do you know what they (and you) could do with it?
According to the Listerine website, the active ingredients in the popular mouthwash are eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, and thymol. Each of these ingredients has a function that goes beyond simply protecting the mouth from plaque and gingivitis. Read on to find out what you can do with mouthwash!
1. Deodorant
Have you run out of deodorant? Don’t worry! Simply take a cotton ball, dip it in Listerine, and place it under your arms. You can also pour Listerine into a spray bottle and spray it on your armpits. Both methods are effective in preventing body odor because Listerine kills the germs that cause body odor in the first place.
2. Dandruff
Before everyone used Listerine as a mouthwash, it was popular as a dandruff treatment. It worked then and it works now. Each of Listerine’s four active ingredients has antiseptic and antifungal properties. To use this home remedy, rinse your hair and scalp with a mixture of 1/4 cup Listerine and 1 cup water.
3. Lice
Listerine is also a safe and effective treatment for lice. Try soaking your lice-infested head in Listerine and then putting your hair up with a shower cap. Let Listerine soak for at least an hour and then rinse your hair with water. To eliminate these insects, continue the treatment by massaging the scalp with white vinegar. Once again, gather your hair in a shower cap and let it soak. After an hour, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and use a lice comb to remove dead lice and any remaining eggs.
4. Acne
Did you know that you can use Listerine as an astringent to treat skin problems? correct. The combination of alcohol and the antiseptic properties of Listerine will dry out the pimples. The morning after smearing a nasty pimple with Listerine, you can wake up pimple-free!
5. cough
“Cough, you fool… it’s your fault,” read a newspaper article in the winter of 1932. Modern Mechanix reports that the same article claims that medical tests have shown that gargling with Listerine twice a day reduces the frequency and the severity of coughs and colds. More than 80 years later, wikiHow confirms that rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash can prevent bacteria from infecting the respiratory system.
6. Grains
Listerine’s antiseptic properties make it a powerful force against pimples. Mother Nature Network says all you need to do is soak a cotton ball in Listerine and place it on the pimple. Repeat three times a day until the pimples dry and disappear.
7. Smelly feet
Smelly feet can get you fired. But don’t be afraid. Listerine kills odor-causing bacteria and acts as an astringent to reduce the amount of sweating. Listerine is especially effective if foot odor is a symptom of athlete’s foot. Listerine also has the added benefit of making your feet incredibly soft! To use this home remedy, mix one part Listerine to two parts warm water and let your feet soak for 20 minutes.
8. Toenail fungus
Listerine foot bath not only makes your feet smell great, but it also helps cure toenail fungus. This is because Listerine has powerful antifungal properties. If you regularly suffer from yeast infections, you may get into the habit of taking a Listerine bath every few days over the course of several months.
Listerine has been around since the late 19th century! It was not always used alone as a mouthwash and should not be used now. Take advantage of all these amazing home remedies! Tell us what works for you and share this article on social media!
