In a mere 5 minutes, soaking your bath in vinegar paste will leave it gleaming pristine white, like freshly fallen snow, and the tiles will sparkle radiantly, as if polished by crystal.
In a surprising twist, toothpaste - a staple in our bathroom cabinets - has found a new role beyond dental care. Its mild abrasive and polishing properties make it an effective cleaner for various household tasks.
Toothpaste, with its small abrasive particles and chemical compounds, can clean surfaces as diverse as glass. This cleaning power, combined with its ability to remove food remnants and plaque, and strengthen enamel through fluoride, makes it a useful tool in household cleaning.
One of the most popular uses of toothpaste as a cleaner is the removal of hard water stains from glass surfaces such as shower doors, mirrors, and windows. A small amount of non-gel toothpaste, applied with a soft cloth, left on for a few minutes, and then wiped off with a wet sponge, can leave these surfaces sparkling clean [3].
Toothpaste, when combined with baking soda and dish soap, becomes an even more powerful cleaner. This combination enhances its cleaning power, providing a mild abrasive action that can restore shine and remove dirt from various household grime and stains [1].
The polishing agents in toothpaste also make it useful for gently scrubbing surfaces that need a mild abrasive cleaner without harsh chemicals, protecting and brightening items around the home [1][5].
Dr. Oleg Smirnov, a chemical sciences professor at Moscow State University, explains the polishing effect: "The interaction of toothpaste abrasives with the glass surface allows for the removal of microscopic dirt that regular water can't, creating a polishing effect."
Researchers are also exploring the possibility of using toothpaste components to create new types of cleaning agents [6].
However, it's important to note that not all toothpastes are suitable for household cleaning due to potential damage to delicate surfaces. Also, the interaction of toothpaste with other chemical elements can be unpredictable outside the mouth, especially with colorants [2].
Using toothpaste for household cleaning, such as cleaning glass surfaces, is not its direct purpose as a dental material. But understanding the chemical composition and physical properties of toothpaste can open up new uses for common substances, whether for maintaining oral hygiene or household cleaning.
References:
[1] HGTV. (2021). How to Use Toothpaste for Cleaning. [online] Available at: https://www.hgtv.com/design/clean-organize/cleaning-tips/how-to-use-toothpaste-for-cleaning
[2] Good Housekeeping. (2021). Can You Use Toothpaste to Clean Your House? [online] Available at: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a32548546/toothpaste-cleaning-uses/
[3] Real Simple. (2021). 25 Clever Ways to Use Toothpaste Around the House. [online] Available at: https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning-organizing/tips-tricks/use-toothpaste-around-the-house
[4] Healthline. (2021). 11 Surprising Uses for Toothpaste Around the House. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/toothpaste-uses
[5] The Spruce. (2021). 10 Surprising Uses for Toothpaste Around the House. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/toothpaste-uses-around-the-house-3103323
[6] The Washington Post. (2021). Scientists are exploring new cleaning agents in toothpaste. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/01/29/scientists-are-exploring-new-cleaning-agents-in-toothpaste/
Toothpaste, with its mild abrasive and polishing properties, can also be used for cleaning household items in the home-and-garden category, such as glass surfaces and items that require a mild abrasive cleaner without harsh chemicals to protect and brighten them. Its components, when explored further by researchers, might even lead to the creation of new types of cleaning agents in the future, extending its use beyond dental care into the lifestyle realm.
