Ask a Prepper
  • DIY |
  • Terms of Use |
  • Privacy Policy |
  • Contact
ask a prepper survival every day
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All Articles
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Survival Knowledge
  • How To’s
  • Store
  • About Claude Davis
  • Home
  • All Articles
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Survival Knowledge
  • How To’s
  • Store
  • About Claude Davis
No Result
View All Result
Menu
Ask a Prepper
Search
No Result
View All Result
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Home All Articles
listerine-1879-img

This Common Household Item Is One Of The Most Useful Survival Assets

Anne by Anne
November 8, 2016
15

Many of us are familiar with the distinctive taste of Listerine. Whether it’s in the morning or before bed, the extreme tingle of Listerine is a familiar part of our daily routine.

But did you know that Listerine has many other uses besides a mouthwash? Listerine’s unique antiseptic properties lend well to many other applications, especially in survival situations.

lmw-ad-cuts-and-scrapes#1: Topical antiseptic

Listerine does such as great job of helping clean the mouth, it shouldn’t be surprising that it also works great for disinfecting minor cuts and wounds. This is due to Listerine’s high alcohol content. Listerine may not work as well as dedicated antiseptics, nor be as comfortable to use (alcohol can really sting!), but it definitely works in a pinch to kill bacteria, reduce the chance of infection and speed up the rate of healing.

#2: Astringent

Since Listerine contains plenty of alcohol, it can be used as an astringent for your skin. The alcohol will help contract the skin, which is useful for treating acne or minor skin irritations, like small cuts or bug bites. When treating bug bites, Listerine is especially good at reducing the itchy irritation.

#3: Hand sanitizer

Run out of hand sanitizer gel? Pour a little Listerine into your hands and rubs them together. Listerine won’t be as easy to use as regular hand sanitizer because of its watery consistency, but it’s effective when normal hand sanitizer or hand-washing facilities are not available.

#4: Treat dandruff

So maybe dandruff isn’t the highest priority for survival situations, except for those who are extra vain. But dandruff is often accompanied by an itchy and uncomfortable scalp. To help treat this discomfort, wash your hair as normal, but for a final rinse, use four parts water with one part Listerine, taking special care to make sure the Listerine touches your scalp.

#5: Alleviate toenail fungus

toenail-listerineA toenail fungus infection often doesn’t become painful until the infection is severe. However, you can help fight off the infection early by soaking your feet in a Listerine bath for at least 30 minutes a day. If vinegar is available, mix it in equal parts with the Listerine for a more effective treatment.

Related: Making Raw Apple Cider Vinegar at Home

#6: Help a sore throat

Depending on the cause of the sore throat, gargling with Listerine probably won’t cure the ailment. However, using Listerine can provide temporary relief from the discomfort. Alternatively, proactively gargling with Listerine can help prevent a sore throat and/or cold.

3#7: Cookware cleaning agent

Most cooking and eating utensils and implements can be easily cleaned with soap and water. However, some specialized cookware, such as cast iron, should not be cleaned this way as the soap will ruin the seasoning. Use Listerine instead.

#8: Treat skin rashes

Apply Listerine gently to irritated and scratchy skin to soothe the burning and/or itching sensation. Listerine is especially effective for poison oak and poison ivy exposure.

#9: Insect repellant

Put some Listerine in a spray bottle and spray plants, skin or other areas where you want to keep away bugs.

#10: Protecting blisters

You can keep a blister from getting infected by dabbing a cotton swab soaked in Listerine several times a day on the blister. Listerine’s antiseptic properties will help prevent infection.

#11: Flea killer

Washing a pet with Listerine will help remove a flea infestation. For the most effective treatment, start by washing your pet in a typical water and shampoo bath. Follow up the normal bath by mixing equal parts water and Listerine in a spray bottle. Spray your pet liberally all over its body, but be especially careful around the face, as the Listerine could sting the eyes. Let the spray application set for about five minutes, then using a fine brush, comb your pet’s fur to remove the dead fleas.

Depending on the extent of the infestation, this treatment may need to be done once a day for several days to completely remove all the fleas.

#12: Remove ticks

Ticks absolutely hate Listerine, and for good reason: It will kill them within seconds. If a tick that has bitten you and taken hold, you can soak a rag or paper towel in Listerine and smother the tick with it for at least five seconds. If the Listerine application hasn’t killed the tick by then, it should at least make the tick let go.

#13: Deodorant

listerine-deodorantIt’s a bit unconventional to use a minty tasting or smelling liquid as deodorant, but it works. Just pour some Listerine on a towel or cloth and dab your armpits or other areas a few times. The alcohol in the Listerine will kill the odor-causing bacteria.

#14: Odor removal

Mix Listerine with equal parts vinegar and apply to smelly areas. The alcohol in the Listerine and acid in the vinegar will help remove odors by breaking down the compounds and bacteria causing the foul smell.

#15: Temporary toothache relief

If you have a toothache, you’re probably going to need some serious dental care. However, to buy some extra time before proper care can be obtained, rinse your mouth with Listerine as intended. The Listerine will help numb the sore tooth, providing a slight reprieve from the pain.

Related: Dental Care after SHTF

#16: Laundry detergent deodorizer

Adding Listerine to your normal laundry cleaning routine will make your clothes fresher by killing odor-causing bacteria.

#17: Stop the growth of mold and mildew

Start by diluting the Listerine with two parts water and one part Listerine, then placing in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture anywhere you need to prevent and/or slow the growth of mold and mildew.

You may also like:

emp stike15 Things You’ll Regret Not Having Enough of When SHTF

The DIY Generator (Video)

Baking Soda – 112 Uses (WWII Series)

26 Survival Uses for Duct Tape

Tools The Early Pioneers Used on A Daily Basis

Tags: preparednessPreppersurvival
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
ShareTweetPin20

Comments 15

  1. Softballumpire says:
    6 years ago

    I loved this article. Some I already knew others were appreciated. I have lived in an old Motorhome and find the spring invasion of the tiny ants is addressed using generic Listerine in a mist sprayer to spray them direct. It doesn’t repel but does kill them. Leave out a small chunk of bacon for bait over night and spray copiously. It reduced population significantly when repeated nightly. Spraying the incoming path also forces a change in route for a few days. Also spraying the underside of wasps that alight on the screens does serve to discourage them from exploring for an entry point. On the ranch, it was occasionally used to spray on young bull calves after knife castration/prairie oyster harvest.

    Did you like this comment? 1
    Reply
    • Older prepper says:
      6 years ago

      Softballupire; I use Windex, and it works the same way. It has alcohol too, and that, I think is the secret ingredient.

      Did you like this comment?
      Reply
      • left coast chuck says:
        6 years ago

        I use white vinegar and dish soap for ants. It kills ’em and wipes out the trail that they use. They run around confused because they have lost the trail. I suspect the alcohol and the other oils in Listerine do the same thing. I also use the white vinegar and dish soap mixture to clean the counter and around the kitchen. Don’t have to use much soap. Teaspoon full in a quart of vinegar.

        Did you like this comment? 1
      • left coast chuck says:
        6 years ago

        Forgot to mention, I also use a spray bottle to apply.

        Did you like this comment?
  2. Helen says:
    6 years ago

    Thank you…I presently have a very bad cold or some sort of ‘bug’, been over 2 wks…my immune systems was or still is compromised…had Cipro for bladder infections (4 or 5 rounds), got c-diff, more antibiotics still had bladder infection after specialist (Keflex)…it quit working, found D-Mannose, it really, really works!!! Taking on a lot of liquid, broth, staying home, resting…etc…your help is greatly appreciated!!!

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply
    • David says:
      6 years ago

      You need a probiotic to counter the negative effects of antibiotics on the gut. Also, 1 tbsp good apple cider vinegar in 8 oz water twice a day will help with lowering glucose levels and alleviating fungal nails. Add to all this vitamins C & D.

      Did you like this comment? 2
      Reply
  3. KMatt says:
    6 years ago

    Looked up the common ingredients in Listerine. If you want to make some yourself here they are:
    Composition. The active ingredients listed on Listerine bottles are essential oils which are menthol (mint) 0.042%, thymol (thyme) 0.064%, methyl salicylate (wintergreen) 0.06%, and eucalyptol (eucalyptus) 0.092%.

    Did you like this comment? 2
    Reply
    • left coast chuck says:
      5 years ago

      That adds up to .285%. What are the other 99.725%? I don’t have a bottle of Listerine to aswer my question and I usually forget when I go to the grocery store to check out the Listerine to satisfy my curiosity.

      Did you like this comment?
      Reply
  4. goober says:
    6 years ago

    Waiting

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply
    • Older prepper says:
      6 years ago

      goober, what are you waiting for?

      Did you like this comment?
      Reply
      • left coast chuck says:
        5 years ago

        Godot?

        Did you like this comment? 1
  5. N. Emery says:
    5 years ago

    Anne, Nice list. Really, I never thought this type list. At least 9 items new to me. But, Deodorant or Odor removal too much for me. In the survival area, you should not carry these small things.

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply
    • left coast chuck says:
      2 years ago

      Sadly true, in a EOTW situation, personal hygiene may well become a distant memory. There are enough folks right now with plenty of hot running water whose personal hygiene leaves something to be desired, especially if they are sitting in the middle seat on a cross-country flight.

      Did you like this comment? 1
      Reply
  6. dz says:
    6 months ago

    ???

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply
  7. dz says:
    6 months ago

    👀

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions Terms & Conditions.

FOLLOW US ON:

PREPPER RECOMMENDS

YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE AN EMP STRIKE WITHOUT THIS

IF YOU SEE THIS PLANT IN YOUR BACKYARD BURN IT IMMEDIATELY

HOW TO GET 295 POUNDS OF EXTRA FOOD FOR JUST $5 A WEEK

THE AWESOME DIY DEVICE THAT TURNS AIR INTO FRESH WATER

5 INGENIOUS WAYS TO REFRIGERATE YOUR FOOD WITHOUT ELECTRICITY

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE INVISIBLE TO LOOTERS

Banner Generator

LATEST ARTICLES

Antibiotic Herbs And Plants To Grow Before SHTF

10 Probable Events That Will Follow An EMP

Survival Mistakes I’m Too Ashamed To Admit

How To Remove Radioactive Particles From Water In Case Of A Nuclear Fallout

If You Have This In Your Pantry, Throw It Away Immediately

8 Items You Need To Survive A Power Outage This Winter

Why You Should Put Plastic Forks In Your Vegetable Garden

The Great Depression Was Nothing Compared To This

Common Habits That Could Make You A Target For Looters

You Need To Grow These Survival Foods NOW

I Lived Without Running Water For One Year. Here’s What I Learned

30 Survival Uses For Coffee Filters

How To Make Bread Last For Up To 5 Years

I Hate Being A Prepper (And You Should Hate It Too)

DIY Solar Water Heaters To Cut Down On Energy Bills

How Long Does Vacuum Sealed Food Last?

The Most Realistic Prepper TV Series You Need To Watch

9 Things To Do Before The 2023 Economic Collapse

How To Prepare Your Car For SHTF

10 Things You Should Never Do When The Power Goes Out

How To Cook Steak On A Stone In The Wilderness

25 Survival Items You Should Get From The Dollar Store

Concealed Carry Mistakes You Have To Avoid At All Costs

Banner Bor

Banner TLW2

The Lost Ways Claude Davis

HOW TO

How To Remove Radioactive Particles From Water In Case Of A Nuclear Fallout

How To Make Bread Last For Up To 5 Years

How To Prepare Your Car For SHTF

How To Cook Steak On A Stone In The Wilderness

How To Craft A Deadly Slingshot

How To Make Your Chickens Lay More Eggs

How To Make And Can Evaporated Milk

How To Prepare For The Rising Energy Prices

How To Protect Your Garden From Looting Intruders

How To Make Your Own Fuel

Vote for ask a Prepper

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON:

Survial Websites Prepper

Banner LSF Hamburger

Copyright © 2014-2023 Ask a Prepper

  • Home
  • All Articles
  • Ask a Prepper
  • About Claude Davis
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2014-2023 Ask a Prepper

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.