7 Surprising Uses for Toothpaste

Toothpaste’s mild abrasive and cleaning properties make it useful for a few practical household tasks beyond brushing your teeth, though it’s worth knowing which uses are genuinely well-supported and which carry some risk of damaging surfaces. This guide covers practical toothpaste uses and important cautions.

This is general information, not a substitute for product-specific care instructions.

Why toothpaste works for more than teeth

Standard toothpaste typically contains mild abrasives (to help remove surface stains and plaque from teeth), along with cleaning and sometimes mild whitening agents. These same properties, gentle abrasion and cleaning action, are why toothpaste has a long-standing informal reputation as a household multi-tasker, though it’s worth being selective about which surfaces it’s actually appropriate for.

Practical uses with reasonable support

Removing minor scuffs from certain hard surfaces. A small amount of non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste applied and gently rubbed can sometimes help reduce the appearance of light scuffs on certain hard plastics or similar surfaces, though this should be tested on an inconspicuous area first, since results vary by surface type.

Cleaning tarnished silver. The mild abrasive quality of toothpaste can help polish and remove light tarnish from silver jewelry or small silverware items when rubbed gently with a soft cloth, then rinsed thoroughly.

Deodorizing small plastic items. Because of its cleaning agents and scent, toothpaste is sometimes used to freshen odors trapped in certain plastic containers (like a reusable water bottle that’s picked up a musty smell), applied, worked around the surface, then thoroughly rinsed.

Removing water rings from wood furniture. A small dab of non-gel toothpaste, gently rubbed onto a water ring left by a glass on wood furniture, then wiped away, is a commonly cited trick for reducing the appearance of this specific type of mark, though results vary based on the wood finish and severity of the ring.

Cleaning grimy fingernails. Toothpaste’s cleaning agents can help remove some staining and grime from fingernails when used with a nail brush.

Uses worth more caution

Treating acne or pimples. This is a widely circulated but not well-supported use. Some toothpaste ingredients (like menthol or baking soda in certain formulas) can cause skin irritation rather than actually treating the acne, and dermatologists generally recommend against this practice in favor of actual acne treatment products formulated and tested for skin use.

Cleaning eyeglasses or screens. Toothpaste’s abrasive quality, helpful for teeth, can actually scratch coated lenses or screens, so this is generally not recommended despite sometimes being suggested informally.

Whitening fabric or removing stains from clothing. Results are inconsistent and toothpaste can sometimes set certain stains rather than remove them, so dedicated stain removers are generally more reliable for laundry.

General cautions before trying any of these uses

Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first, since surface materials and finishes vary considerably in how they react to toothpaste’s mild abrasive and chemical properties. Use plain, non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste for household applications, since whitening formulas and gels often contain additional chemicals better suited specifically for teeth than for general household surfaces. And remember that toothpaste is formulated and regulated as an oral care product, not a general household cleaner, so these informal uses are convenience tricks rather than tested, guaranteed-effective cleaning solutions.

Frequently asked questions

Can toothpaste really remove scratches?

It can sometimes help reduce the appearance of very light surface scuffs on certain hard materials through its mild abrasive action, but it’s not a reliable fix for deeper scratches, and results vary significantly by surface.

Is it safe to use toothpaste on my skin for acne?

This isn’t well supported and can cause skin irritation; dermatologists generally recommend actual acne treatment products formulated for skin rather than toothpaste.

Can toothpaste clean jewelry?

A small amount of plain toothpaste can help polish light tarnish off silver jewelry when gently rubbed and thoroughly rinsed, though it’s not appropriate for all jewelry materials or gemstones.

Should I use toothpaste to clean my glasses?

No, this isn’t recommended, since toothpaste’s abrasive quality can scratch coated lenses.

What type of toothpaste is best for household uses?

Plain, non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste is generally recommended for household applications, since whitening and gel formulas contain additional ingredients better suited for teeth specifically.

References

• General household tips references on mild abrasive cleaning uses; test any use on an inconspicuous area first, and consult a dermatologist rather than using toothpaste for skin/acne concerns.