21 Genius Toothpaste Hacks That Will Make Life Easier

Put a dollop of toothpaste on a damp cloth or sponge and rub it into fiberglass or glass shower doors to easily remove soap scum buildup. Once you’ve worked the toothpaste across the surfaces, rinse it off with a cloth dipped in clean water. Prevent water spots by buffing the area dry.

When you find big globs of toothpaste that have accidentally landed in the bathroom sink, use them. Use a damp sponge or paper towel to scrub the toothpaste in a circular motion around the bowl, hitting all the edges and around the drain. The abrasives in the toothpaste help get rid of surface dirt and grime. Rinse well, then buff it dry to prevent water spots.

If your toilet needs a quick scrub, squeeze out a bit of toothpaste into the bowl. Use a toilet brush to spread it around, then scrub thoroughly, especially around the waterline. Although it won’t kill off any bacteria, it will get rid of stains and leave behind a fresh, minty smell.

A small amount of toothpaste and a clean cloth is all it takes to make your bathroom and kitchen fixtures shine. Use a clean, soft, dry cloth and work the paste into the surface with small circles. Remove excess toothpaste and buff away any water spots using a dry cloth.

Sprucing up your white leather sneakers is easy using a mixture of one tablespoon each of toothpaste, water, and baking soda. Work the solution into any stains using a circular motion, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. To clean the rubber trim on the soles and toes of your shoes, use an old toothbrush and a bit of toothpaste to get rid of the dirt buildup. Wipe away leftover toothpaste with a damp cloth.

Easily and effectively remove any scuffs on your favorite vinyl, patent, or smooth leather shoes or boots using a dab of toothpaste and a soft cloth. Gently rub the toothpaste into the scuff, then remove any residue by buffing the area with a soft cloth.

Don’t try this method on suede.

Daily wear dulls the shine on your jewelry and leaves your diamonds looking not-so-bright. Add a bit of toothpaste to an old toothbrush and work it across surfaces and into crevices of your jewelry. Then, rinse off the toothpaste and buff it dry with a soft, dry cloth.

This method does not work on opals or pearls, though: the toothpaste can scratch their soft surfaces.

A clean plate on your iron protects your clothes and makes the job easier, allowing a smooth glide across surfaces. To get rid of mineral deposits from steaming, rub in a tad of toothpaste, then wipe it away with a clean cloth. Before you iron your nice work blouse, try the device on a piece of scrap cloth to make sure you’ve removed all the toothpaste.

A drop of toothpaste on a cotton swab can clean up the ivory or plastic keys on your piano, removing stains, smudges, and dirt buildup. Scrub the keys gently, then wipe dry with a clean cloth. You’ll be amazed at how easily the toothpaste gets rid of the dirt. Buff with a soft cloth to bring back the shine.

If you don’t have any silver polish and your silverware needs a good polishing, you can substitute white toothpaste — the kind without the added whitening agents — to get rid of tarnishing. First, wet the silverware. Then, squeeze some toothpaste onto the silver, gently working it in with your fingers. You’ll see the toothpaste turning black as it removes the tarnish.

Allow the silver to sit for a few minutes, wash away the toothpaste, then dry with a soft cloth. This method works well for silver jewelry, too.

Unless you prefer the patina, the green film that forms naturally through oxidation on your copper pots, they’ll need some cleaning from time to time to bring back the shine. Some toothpaste and a soft cloth work wonders to remove this tarnish, too.

If the patina is heavy, leave the toothpaste on the pot for a few minutes before rinsing it in hot water and drying it with a soft cloth.

Linoleum is a durable flooring and stands up well to heavy traffic, but shoes can leave behind unsightly scuff marks. Get rid of them by rubbing white toothpaste into the scuffed area using a clean cloth. Continue rubbing until all signs of the scuff mark and the toothpaste have disappeared.

If the young artists in your home have decided to decorate the walls with their favorite colors in the crayon box, this toothpaste hack is for you. Place a small amount of toothpaste on a damp sponge, then rub the crayon markings in a circular motion until they’re gone.

Wipe down the area with a damp cloth and allow it to air dry. Then, maybe hide the crayons.

Micro scratches on your phone screen can be a bit distracting. By applying a tiny bit of toothpaste to your fingertip, you can lightly buff out the scratch. Wipe the screen with a slightly damp cloth afterward and allow it to dry. This hack only works for tiny scratches. Contrary to widespread online recommendations, repair experts say you cannot fix a cracked screen with toothpaste.

One of the great flavors of the culinary world, onions add an entire layer of flavor to just about any dish. But dicing and slicing this veggie leaves behind a strong odor on your hands. To get rid of the smell and leave your hands minty fresh, squirt a smidgen of toothpaste into your palms and rub your hands together, then rinse them well.

The toothpaste not only removes the onion scent but can also brighten and whiten your nails!

Over time, hair products build up on your curling iron or hair straightener, leaving behind a gummy coating. With a dab of toothpaste and a dry cloth, you can wipe away the gunk from hair appliances without damaging their surfaces. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the toothpaste and the gunk, then allow it to air dry before use.

Tired of fogged-over mirrors every time you take a hot shower? Spread non-gel toothpaste over its entire surface, but be careful not to rub vigorously, or you could scratch the glass. Once you’ve coated the mirror, wipe it down with a damp, clean cloth. The next time you shower, you’ll see a clear, fogless mirror.

For this hack, use only white toothpaste that contains no baking soda. Add a little bit of toothpaste to both sides of the lenses and rub it around to cover them entirely. Rinse your glasses off with water, making sure there’s no residue left behind. It could irritate the eyes. Dry with a clean, microfiber cloth.

Yellowed or dirty headlights can interfere with your ability to see and be seen at night. To clean them off, wipe on a healthy dollop of toothpaste. Using a cloth, cover the entire surface with it. Not only will the toothpaste get rid of tiny scratches, but it will also shine up your headlights, removing that grimey build-up. Clean off the toothpaste and grime using a clean cloth.

Sooner or later, your favorite coffee or teacup will develop stains, especially if you use it every day. Scrub them away with a dab of whitening toothpaste. Be wary of using this method on fine china or porcelain, however, as it could scratch the surface.

While it may not be considered a legitimate repair from construction professionals, it will work in a pinch. If you have holes in your wall from nails you’ve used to hang photos or other decorative items, and you decide to switch things up, how do you cover up all those tiny holes left behind? A bit of toothpaste will do. Squeeze a drop onto a toothpick or cotton swab, then press it into the hole. Spread a bit around the outside to close up any gaps. You can even paint over it after it’s dry.