Tips

What’s the Point of Putting Toothpaste on a Key?

Toothpaste is not just for maintaining oral hygiene; it's also a handy hack to keep your keys clean and rust-free. Yes, applying toothpaste on your keys might sound unusual, but it's an effective trick that has left many people amazed.

Administrator

27 August, 2024

Did you know that toothpaste has multiple surprising uses beyond just keeping your teeth clean and your breath fresh? One such lesser-known tip is to apply toothpaste to your keys.

What is the benefit of applying toothpaste to keys?

Keys are items we use daily, yet we rarely pay attention to their hygiene. Over time, keys can become dirty, stained, or rusty, especially when exposed to moisture or left unattended in pockets or bags without proper care. These stains and rust can not only affect the appearance of the keys but also hinder their functionality, making it difficult to unlock doors.

Applying toothpaste to your keys not only cleans them but also conditions them, keeping them shiny and functioning optimally. (Image: AliExpress)

Periodic cleaning of your keys will help maintain their shine, ease of use, and prolong their lifespan. One of the simplest and most effective ways to clean your keys is by using toothpaste.

Toothpaste contains active ingredients that help clean, polish, and remove stains. Common toothpaste components such as silica, calcium carbonate, or baking soda have mild abrasive properties, effectively lifting away dirt and grime. Additionally, the antibacterial agents in toothpaste aid in killing bacteria and preventing their growth on key surfaces.

Toothpaste also possesses brightening properties, restoring luster to metal surfaces. This is especially beneficial for keys that have become dull or tarnished over time.

Applying toothpaste to your keys offers a twofold benefit: it cleans and conditions them, ensuring they remain shiny and function more smoothly. Follow these four simple steps:

– Take a small amount of toothpaste and use your finger to apply it evenly across the entire key surface, paying extra attention to areas of dirt, tarnish, or rust.

– Using an old toothbrush, gently scrub the key in a circular motion, focusing on the grooves and edges where dirt and rust tend to accumulate.

– After scrubbing, rinse the key under warm water to remove the toothpaste and dirt. Immediately dry the key with a soft cloth or towel to prevent moisture buildup and subsequent rusting.

– Once cleaned, your keys will shine like new. If any stains or rust remain, repeat the above steps until the desired level of cleanliness is achieved.

Other Amazing Uses of Toothpaste

Apart from applying toothpaste to your keys, explore other surprising everyday uses. (Image: Wikiwand)

In addition to using toothpaste to clean your keys, consider the following alternative applications in your daily life:

Cleaning Jewelry

Toothpaste can effectively clean and brighten jewelry made of gold, silver, or precious stones. Gently rub a small amount of toothpaste on the jewelry’s surface, rinse, and dry to notice a sparkling difference.

Removing Scratches from Phone Screens

For lightly scratched phone screens, apply a small amount of toothpaste and gently buff with a soft cloth. Toothpaste will help diminish the appearance of scratches, leaving your screen looking smoother.

Stain Removal from Shoes

Toothpaste can also be used to remove stubborn stains from shoes, especially white ones. Simply apply toothpaste to the stain, gently scrub, and wipe clean—your shoes will look brand new.

Cleaning Glass Bottles and Jars

Apply toothpaste to a damp cloth and thoroughly wipe the glass surface. No matter how stubborn the stain, the glass will shine like new and be effectively deodorized.

Brightening Wooden Surfaces

It can be frustrating to see stubborn stains on wooden surfaces in your home. Use toothpaste to clean these areas, and watch the stains disappear in an instant.

Odor Removal

Toothpaste can eliminate strong odors from your hands after handling pungent foods like garlic, onions, fish, or shrimp. Simply wash your hands with a small amount of toothpaste to neutralize the smell.

Source: VTC news

Frequently asked questions

Putting toothpaste on keys is an old trick to help identify them easily. It is especially useful when you have multiple similar-looking keys and want a quick, low-cost way to mark and distinguish them.

By applying a small amount of toothpaste to the top or grooves of a key, you create a distinct mark that is visible and tactile. The toothpaste fills in the grooves or adds a layer of color, making it easier to recognize the key at a glance or by touch.

Any type of toothpaste will do the trick, although white toothpaste tends to show up better on most key types. As for keys, this method works on a variety of key styles, including house keys, car keys, and padlock keys. It is a versatile and simple solution for quick key identification.

Yes, toothpaste can be easily removed from keys. Simply wipe it off with a damp cloth or use an old toothbrush to gently scrub it away. This allows for flexibility if you want to change the marking or return the key to its original state.

There are other creative ways to mark keys, such as using nail polish, key caps, or key tags. However, toothpaste is a readily available household item that doesn’t require any additional purchases, making it a convenient and cost-effective option.