How many things can you clean with toothpaste? Well, quite a lot!
As a student, I lived in a dorm with some of my middle school friends; it was amazing. One thing about me is that I have been into fashion since the moment I could pick my outfits alone. I remember that one day, I read in a teenage magazine that you can’t look good if your shoes are dirty.
As I laid out my sporty outfit for the next day, I noticed my sneakers looked terrible—stained, dirty, and even covered in leaf particles from getting caught in the rain. With no shoe cleaner in sight, I had a lightbulb moment: my toothpaste whitens my teeth, so why not my sneakers? And just like that, magic happened.
But desperate times kept asking for desperate measures, and since I didn’t have much money, I discovered that toothpaste could clean many things. I’m all about multipurpose solutions, and the best part is that you already have it in your bathroom. For the sake of my college days and good old frugality tips, I now present to you all the things you could clean with toothpaste.
Your items will be sparkly, you’ll get the job done in no time, and your wallet will thank you. Let’s get this pearly-white party started, because it’s a good one:
But before we begin…
While there are many regular items you could clean with toothpaste, not all products will get the job done. For example, when it comes to cleaning hacks or tips that involve the use of this bathroom product, remember that the toothpaste in question is always the white one.
Don’t use charcoal, gel, colored, whitening, or kids toothpaste, because they can cause terrible damage. Experts recommend you make sure your product isn’t made with any whitening formula because ingredients can have a strong bleaching effect on anything that’s been treated with dye.
Now that this info is out of the way, here are all the things you can clean with toothpaste:
1. Remove tea or coffee stains from mugs
If your mugs are stained from coffee or tea, don’t worry, because I have the perfect hack for you. Make them sparkly again by applying your magical product to a wet sponge and giving your mugs a good scrub. Rinse and repeat the process if necessary. It works like a charm!
2. Polish copper
Another surprising thing you can clean with toothpaste is copper. Yes, you read that right! You can easily polish copper and remove tarnish using a soft cloth and your trusted white toothpaste.
Simply rub the paste onto the metal in a soft, circular motion, let it work its magic for a few seconds, then wipe it away with a cloth to restore its shine. Once the copper looks bright and beautiful again, rinse it with hot water and buff it dry with a fresh cloth.
If the tarnish is too stubborn to remove, apply toothpaste and let it sit for a few minutes before buffing and rinsing. Give it a try—your copper will thank you!
3. Clean iron soleplates
An iron is the perfect tool for keeping your clothes looking polished, crisp, and put together. But over time, its soleplate can develop buildup that affects its performance.
No worries—this is yet another thing you can clean with toothpaste! Whether it’s residue from sizing or starch, or even stubborn scorch marks, your trusted white toothpaste can work wonders.
Simply apply a small amount to a dry cloth and gently buff away the buildup on a cool iron. Once you’re done, wipe it clean with a damp cloth, and just like that, your iron will be as good as new!
4. Remove soap scum
I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand seeing soap scum buildup in my sink, fiberglass shower, or on shower doors. It makes everything look messy, old, and dirty—but the good news? Toothpaste can fix that in only a couple of seconds!
Just squeeze a small amount onto a damp microfiber cloth and gently scrub away the stubborn scum. Once you’re done, rinse the cloth, wipe away any residue, and dry the surface. Just like that, your bathroom looks fresh and spotless again!
5. Clean your shoes
Ah, the thing that instantly takes me back to my college days… What a wonderful time that was! But moving past those dorm-life memories, let’s talk about something super practical that you already know I’m a big fan of—cleaning shoes with toothpaste.
Whether they’re patent leather, vinyl, or genuine leather, a little toothpaste can bring back their shine in seconds. Just apply a small dab onto a soft cloth or toothbrush (depending on the material), then gently buff away scuffs using light circular motions. Wipe clean with a dry cloth, and voilà—good as new! It’s almost like magic, isn’t it?
6. Keep mirrors from fogging up
If you don’t like foggy mirrors after taking a long and relaxing hot shower or soaking in a bubble bath, I can teach you how to prevent the fog from happening in the first place.
All you have to do is rub some white toothpaste on the mirror, leave it like that for a few seconds, then wipe it off right before you bathe. This simple tip will keep the fog away from your glass, so you’re welcome!
7. Get rid of stains on carpet and upholstery
Spilling drinks or food on your couch or carpet is always frustrating, but have no fear—your trusted toothpaste has your back! Just apply a generous amount directly onto the stain and let it sit until it’s completely dry. This allows the toothpaste to absorb the stain, helping to lift it away.
Once it’s dried, grab a warm, damp cloth and wipe it clean. If there’s any residue left behind, simply go over the area with a vacuum, and ta-da—your carpet, chair, or couch will look fresh and pretty again!
8. Remove water rings on wood
Did you know that water rings on wood are just one of the many things you can clean with toothpaste? Say goodbye to those ugly stains that make your beautiful coffee table look worn out. Simply mix toothpaste and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio, apply the paste to the stains with a damp cloth, and wipe clean.
Depending on how stubborn the water rings are, you may need to repeat the process a couple of times until they’re completely gone. To extend the results and give your decor items a lasting shine, finish with a wood polish. Voilà—your table will look brand new again!
9. Clean jewelry
I’ve always loved wearing jewelry, but taking them to a professional cleaner was always a pain. But no more, because my mother taught me that our beautiful bling-blings are part of the many things you can clean with toothpaste.
If you have silver rings, bracelets, or necklaces, you can rub some toothpaste onto the pieces with the help of your fingers and then clean them. Rinse with water and dry with a microfiber cloth.
In case your jewelry is made of solid gold, dilute your white toothpaste with one or two teaspoons of water, and rub the paste into each piece. Rinse and dry.
Jewelry items with natural stones are more sensitive, so instead of risking damaging them, it’s best to ask a professional jeweler about the best methods to clean your beautiful pieces.
10. Clean grout
One thing I don’t love about grout is how messy it can get, sometimes ruining the otherwise gorgeous look of your tiles. But here’s the good news: grout lines are one of the items you can easily clean with toothpaste, and it won’t take more than a couple of minutes.
While I’ve mentioned that white toothpaste works for most cleaning tasks, in this case, you can safely use whitening toothpaste. The strong whitening agents will help brighten those grout lines, making your kitchen and bathroom look incredible once again.
Since we’ve talked a lot about microfiber cloth, here are some of my favorites! They will clean your items like nobody’s business in combination with this toothpaste! What are your thoughts on these items you could clean with toothpaste? Would you try any of these hacks? I dare you to do so because they work like crazy! Until next time, here’s another post you won’t want to miss: Everyone Makes These 6 Fridge Organizing Mistakes
