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In the late nineteenth century, a St. Louis chemist named Joseph Lawrence developed a powerful surgical antiseptic and called it Listerine. It was named for Joseph Lister, a British surgeon who pioneered antiseptic surgery by washing his instruments with carbolic acid.

Today, LISTERINE Brand rinses are 100% Triclosan free and offer a variety of options to help achieve patients’ oral health goals. They contain eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and thymol which penetrate the plaque biofilm killing germs on contact.

How to Use

While most people think of Listerine as a mouthwash, it has many other uses. It can be used as an antiseptic, bug repellant, fungus killer and more! It contains ingredients such as menthol, eucalyptol and thymol, which makes it effective at killing germs. It can be used in the bathroom to kill shower mold and mildew, as well as disinfect sinks. It can also be poured down the drain to help eliminate those pesky garbage disposal odors.

It can be used to clean countertops and other surfaces around the house, including mirrors and windows. Mix equal parts Listerine with water in a spray bottle and use as an all-purpose cleaner. It can be sprayed onto shoes and boots to keep them smelling fresh. It can also be sprayed on feet to prevent and treat athlete’s foot. If you have a nasty bruise, apply some Listerine with a cotton ball and it will encourage blood flow to the area, helping it heal faster.

Many people put Listerine in their toilets, believing it helps to kill odor-causing germs and bacteria. However, Listerine is not a suitable toilet cleaner as it is formulated for the mouth and contains a high alcohol content that can damage toilet surfaces.

Listerine can be a great substitute for deodorant in a pinch. Just add a little to a cotton ball and rub it on your armpits to help reduce body odor. It can also be sprayed on dandruff to help kill the fungus and relieve itching. In addition to these uses, Listerine can be added to the laundry as an additive to kill germs. This is particularly helpful if you have sensitive skin.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash is often used to freshen bad breath or reduce plaque, but it can also be helpful in reducing gum disease (gingivitis) and preventing tooth decay. Therapeutic mouthwashes typically contain ingredients that kill odor-causing bacteria, including essential oils. They may also contain fluoride to fight cavities and encourage remineralization. They may also have anti-inflammatory, antiesthetic and/or analgesic properties to relieve pain.

However, it is important to remember that mouthwash only works on the surface of the teeth and gums – it does not replace brushing and flossing. Also, many commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can have a drying effect on the mouth and gum tissues. They may also have salt, which can be problematic for people on a low sodium diet. They may also kill the good bacteria in your mouth, which can reduce your body’s natural ability to fight pathogens.

Historically, Listerine was a hospital-grade antiseptic, and it still has the ability to kill germs. It can be useful in the bathroom for disinfecting countertops and other surfaces. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly!

Another use for Listerine is to kill head lice. Just pour a bit on your head, then fasten on a shower cap and let it sit for a few hours. Repeat daily until the lice are gone.

If you are a hiker or camper, you can also keep a bottle of Listerine in your pack to disinfect cuts and scrapes. Simply pour a bit on the wound and rinse it off. It will help prevent infection and reduce swelling. You can also use it to treat an insect bite by spraying it directly on the bug or applying a soaked cotton ball to the bite.

Mouth Rinse

Mouthwash is liquid held, swished or gargled in the oral cavity to provide short-term relief for a variety of conditions. Antiseptic mouthwashes help reduce bacteria and plaque, freshen breath and may decrease gum inflammation and other symptoms of gum disease. Many dental experts agree that using a rinse is an important adjunct to brushing and flossing.

A number of mouthwashes are available over the counter and by prescription with a broad range of active ingredients. The ADA recommends choosing a product with the ADA seal of acceptance. This signifies that the ADA has independently evaluated the product claims and ingredients for safety and effectiveness according to objective, evidence-based guidelines.

Most of the over-the-counter antiseptic mouthwashes are alcohol-based and contain a wide range of flavors and fragrances. They can cause a temporary change in the taste of food and drink, but this effect usually disappears with continued use of the rinse. Several types of non-alcohol mouthwashes are also available, as well as those specifically designed to address certain oral care issues, such as canker sores.

There is little scientific evidence that putting Listerine in your toilet will actually reduce urine or stool odor. However, some people believe that the ingredient in Listerine is effective at killing germs and disinfecting the bathroom.

Aside from the obvious uses for cleaning the teeth and gums, Listerine can be used as a general household cleaner. When diluted with 50% water, Listerine kills germs and works great on sinks, floors, bathtubs and kitchen surfaces. It can also be used as a hair and scalp treatment to get rid of dandruff and to help keep the scalp healthy. For best results, rinse with Listerine after shampooing.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot (also known as tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that appears as an itchy, burning rash on the bottom of your feet or in between your toes. It’s caused by the same fungi that cause jock itch and ringworm and is highly contagious. It can spread to your toenails, causing a fungal nail infection called onychomycosis that causes the nails to become thick, opaque and crumbly. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body, including the groin, where it causes a skin infection called jock itch.

Athletes’ foot is usually diagnosed by examining the affected area and asking about your symptoms. Your doctor may swab or scrape your skin for further testing, which involves treating the sample with a chemical and then examining it under a microscope. In rare cases, your provider may need to grow the fungus in a lab to get an exact diagnosis.

To prevent athlete’s foot, keep your feet dry by washing them often and letting them air dry thoroughly between each toe. Wear breathable shoes, such as sandals, and change them daily. Avoid shoes made of materials that retain moisture, such as leather or nylon. Wear socks made of a wicking material, and use powder in your shoes to help absorb sweat.

If you have a mild case of athlete’s foot, over-the-counter antifungal creams can treat it. These are available in creams, liquids or ointments that you put directly on the affected area. If the condition is severe or widespread, your doctor might prescribe prescription-strength medicines such as clotrimazole (Lotrisone), econazole (Ecoza, Spectazole) or ciclopirox (Loprox, Penlac). They are available as pills that you take by mouth.

Disinfect a Cut

As a germicide, Listerine works well on bacteria and viruses. However, it can be irritating to cut skin and can slow the healing process by disrupting the formation of new tissue. Instead, it is recommended to clean the cut with water, wash the surrounding skin with mild hand soap, cover it and let your body heal it on its own.

The antiseptic in Listerine kills bacteria and fungus. This is why some people claim it helps with psoriasis. Others report that it relieves the itch of poison oak, ivy and sumac. Listerine also has ingredients that can soothe a sore throat and help with sleep.

Many of the ingredients in Listerine are essential oils, including thymol, eucalyptol and menthol. These oils are known to kill bacteria, and may even kill some viruses. Mouthwashes and gargles containing these oils can be used to treat oral problems, such as gingivitis (Sharma et al 2010) or mouth or throat infections. (Erriu et al 2013)

Although Listerine is used primarily as a mouthwash today, it has been sold as a surgical disinfectant, a cure for dandruff, a floor cleaner and a hair tonic. It has even been marketed to dentists for oral care. The name “Listerine” is named in honor of Joseph Lister, the surgeon who pioneered antiseptic surgery by washing his instruments with carbolic acid. It was this invention that helped bring about a significant decrease in patient mortality in the 19th century. Listerine was developed in St. Louis by chemists Joseph Lawrence and Jordan Wheat Lambert in 1879. It was first formulated as an alcohol-based liquid and later promoted as a mouthwash. The product is now owned by Pfizer Inc.

Purchase oral care products from your local Avon representative, Cascia Talbert here.