Uses for Toothpaste

You don't need to buy jewelry cleaner to brighten up your bling. Just work a dab of toothpaste into that dirty ring or bracelet, and rinse. All that ugly tarnish and grime will be gone.

Note: Avoid use on soft stones

Toothpaste and elbow grease are all it takes to keep chrome faucets and wheels looking great. Apply a generous glob of paste to the surface; scrub it in with an old toothbrush; and wash it off. It's that simple.

Have smelly hands after working with garlic or onions? What about sour smelling water bottles? Banish those odors with a squirt of toothpaste and a good scrub.

This Also Works Well On: plastic storage containers and cutting boards

Commercial silver polish is effective, but pricey. Just rub toothpaste into your tarnished silver pieces with a soft cloth, and rinse them off to restore their original luster.

Have a stain on your favorite shirt – or worse – on your carpet? Attack it with a dab of paste, a squirt of water and a scrub brush. Rinse and repeat until the stain is gone.

Warning: Always test cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area before using widely. Not all fabrics and materials are color-fast.

Keep your shoes looking just-out-of-the-box good with the help of toothpaste. It will remove scuff marks and brighten dingy rubber.

Get a fogless mirror for your bathroom without paying extra for one. Just apply a coat of toothpaste to your mirror; wipe it off, and marvel at its new steam-fighting powers.

Remove crayon marks from walls, woodwork and any other surface within your toddler's reach, by squirting a bit of toothpaste into a wet rag, and using it to scrub that art into submission. Go over the area again with a clean rag to ensure that you've removed all of the toothpaste.