What You'll Need
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make a Listerine all-purpose spray
Mix equal parts original Listerine and water in a spray bottle. The thymol and eucalyptol in Listerine are natural antiseptics that cut through light grime and leave a fresh mint scent. Shake gently before each use and label the bottle so nobody mistakes it for mouthwash. This simple DIY solution costs a fraction of commercial surface sprays and works especially well on laminate countertops, bathroom vanities, and tile backsplashes. Keep one bottle in the kitchen and another in the bathroom so you always have it within reach. Use only the original amber-colored Listerine for cleaning the blue, green, and whitening varieties contain dyes and different concentrations that can stain surfaces. The original formula is the most cost-effective and the safest for household surfaces. A single bottle of Listerine makes several weeks of cleaning spray, making the per-use cost genuinely negligible compared to name-brand all-purpose cleaners.
Deodorize garbage cans
Spray undiluted Listerine inside trash cans after you swap the liner. Let it air-dry for five minutes. The alcohol and essential oils neutralize bacteria that cause lingering odors, keeping your kitchen smelling clean between trash days. For extra protection, spray the underside of the new liner before dropping it in. This double layer of freshness is especially helpful during hot summer months when food waste breaks down faster and odors intensify quickly. Clean the outside of the can with the diluted Listerine spray while you have the bottle out the exterior accumulates grime from hands and kitchen grease that contributes to the overall smell of the kitchen area. Wipe the rim and lid hinges where food particles collect. Doing this every time you change the liner adds under a minute to the task and keeps both the inside and outside of the bin genuinely clean.
Freshen up the toilet bowl
Pour half a cup of Listerine into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush, focusing under the rim where bacteria hide. The antiseptic formula tackles the same germs it fights in your mouth, leaving the bowl sanitized and minty. For tougher stains or rings at the waterline, pour a full cup and let it soak overnight. The menthol scent is a welcome change from harsh chemical toilet cleaners and is safe for septic systems. Use this technique between your regular bathroom cleaning days as a quick freshener rather than a replacement for deeper toilet cleaning. On those in-between days, a quick 30-second pour-and-swirl keeps the bowl fresh until your full cleaning session without you needing to get out the rubber gloves every time. The fresh scent lasts noticeably longer than store-bought toilet-tank freshening tabs, which fade within days.
Clean bathroom mirrors streak-free
Spray your Listerine-water mix onto a microfiber cloth never directly on the glass to avoid drips behind the mirror. Wipe in an S-pattern from top to bottom. The alcohol evaporates quickly, leaving zero streaks and a subtle clean scent. This method also works beautifully on glass shower doors, glass tabletops, and even smartphone screens. The key is using a lint-free microfiber cloth so fibers don't transfer onto the glass surface during wiping. If you notice residue along the very edges of the mirror, use a cotton swab dampened with the Listerine solution to clean that border area. Mirrors are easiest to clean in morning daylight natural light reveals streaks and smudges that artificial bathroom lighting hides, letting you catch and correct them before they dry.
Eliminate musty washing machine odor
Run an empty hot-water cycle and pour one cup of Listerine into the drum. The antibacterial agents reach seals and hoses that trap moisture and mildew. Wipe the gasket dry afterward to prevent new buildup. Front-loading washers are especially prone to this musty smell because water pools in the rubber door gasket. Doing this once a month, combined with leaving the door ajar between loads, keeps your machine smelling fresh and your laundry coming out cleaner. Check the detergent drawer while you're at it the drawer and its housing trap wet detergent residue that grows mold and feeds back into every wash. Pull the drawer completely out if your machine allows it, rinse it under hot water, and wipe the housing slot with your Listerine cloth. This five-minute comprehensive wash cycle combined with drawer cleaning is the most thorough monthly machine maintenance you can do.
Disinfect toothbrush holders
Fill the holder with undiluted Listerine and let it soak for 10 minutes. Use a small brush to scrub inside crevices, then rinse with warm water. Repeat weekly to prevent the slimy pink residue caused by airborne bacteria in humid bathrooms. Most people never think to clean toothbrush holders, but studies show they're one of the germiest items in the home. While you're at it, soak the toothbrushes themselves in a small cup of Listerine for five minutes to sanitize the bristles.
Degrease stovetop knobs
Remove knobs and soak them in a bowl of Listerine for 15 minutes. The alcohol dissolves grease and cooked-on splatters without scratching plastic or metal. Scrub with a soft brush, rinse, dry completely, then snap them back on. Knobs accumulate greasy fingerprints every time you cook but rarely get individual attention during routine wipe-downs. This soak method reaches the grooves and textured grips where grease hides and hardens over time. While the knobs soak, wipe down the area where the knobs sit on the stovetop this recessed area collects the worst grease buildup of any part of the stove and is usually left untouched because the knobs sit over it. Cleaning the knob mounting area at the same time you soak the knobs means you never put clean knobs back onto a greasy base.
Refresh cutting boards
Spray Listerine generously over both sides of a plastic or wood cutting board after washing with soap. Let it sit for two minutes, then rinse. This extra step targets bacteria hiding in knife grooves that regular dish soap can miss. Wooden cutting boards especially benefit because the antiseptic penetrates into the grain where moisture and food particles get trapped. Use this hack after cutting raw meat, poultry, or strong-smelling ingredients like garlic and onion.
Wipe down doorknobs and light switches
Dampen a microfiber cloth with Listerine and wipe high-touch surfaces throughout your home. Focus on bathroom door handles and kitchen light switches where germs transfer most often. The fast-drying formula means no sticky residue on your hardware. Don't forget cabinet pulls, stair railings, and appliance handles these surfaces get touched dozens of times daily but almost never make it into the weekly cleaning routine. A quick two-minute pass makes a real hygiene difference. Pay particular attention to surfaces that multiple people touch in sequence: door handles leading from bathroom to kitchen, refrigerator handles touched with cooking hands, and drawer pulls in food prep areas. These are the highest-transmission surfaces in any home and respond especially well to a weekly Listerine wipe because the antiseptic residue provides a brief antimicrobial effect even after the wipe.
Neutralize shoe and closet odors
Mist the inside of shoes and closet shelves with your Listerine spray and leave the closet door open to air-dry. The essential oils combat the bacteria that cause musty and sweaty smells. Repeat once a week for closets that actually smell fresh. You can also spray gym bags, hampers, and sports equipment that develop stubborn odors. The alcohol dries quickly without leaving moisture that could encourage mold, making it safer than water-based air fresheners for enclosed spaces. For running shoes or workout shoes with persistent odor, spray the interior of each shoe, stuff loosely with newspaper to absorb the moisture the spray dislodges, and leave them overnight. Remove the newspaper in the morning. This combination of Listerine's bacteria kill and the newspaper's moisture absorption is far more effective than odor-absorbing insoles for established shoe odor.
What actually worked best and what I kept using afterward
Of all ten methods, the washing machine deodorizer cycle stood out above everything else. I had dealt with a persistent musty front-loader smell for two months. One hot cycle with a cup of original Listerine eliminated it completely where two attempts with white vinegar had only partly helped. The trash can deodorizing was the second genuinely impressive result the inside stayed odor-free for four days, longer than baking soda typically manages for me. Mirror cleaning worked fine but offered no real advantage over a microfiber cloth with glass cleaner. The toothbrush holder soak revealed how bad mine was it came out genuinely clean in a way I hadn't achieved with scrubbing alone. Where Listerine underwhelmed: cutting board disinfection requires thorough rinsing to remove the medicinal scent from food prep surfaces. Closet deodorizing fades within a week and needs regular reapplication to maintain. Use Listerine for quick disinfection and odor neutralization in high-moisture spaces. Keep it to those uses and it delivers consistently.
Mistakes that damage surfaces or undercut results
Mistake one: using colored Listerine varieties for surface cleaning. Blue, purple, and whitening formulas have different active compound concentrations and can tint light-colored grout, fabric, and painted surfaces. Original amber formula only for cleaning. Mistake two: applying undiluted Listerine to lacquered wood finishes or sealed surfaces inside cabinets. The 22% alcohol content strips certain polymer finishes with repeated use. Dilute one-to-one with water for any wood or finished surface. Mistake three: skipping the rinse on food prep surfaces. The antiseptic ingredients leave a medicinal scent on cutting boards and prep areas that transfers to food. A thorough cold water rinse after the dwell time removes it completely. Mistake four: using Listerine sprays in spaces where cats live. Eucalyptol and thymol both active ingredients are toxic to cats at concentrated levels. Spray in cat-free rooms and ventilate thoroughly before allowing pets back in.
Pro Tips
- ✓Use cool or lukewarm water to preserve active ingredients.
- ✓Always test on an unseen area before first use.
- ✓Store mixed solutions in labeled bottles and remake weekly.
Related Cleaning Guides
Safety Notes
- ⚠Listerine contains alcohol and essential oils avoid using on unsealed marble or lacquered wood, as it may strip finishes.
- ⚠Do not apply Listerine-based sprays near eyes or open wounds. The menthol and eucalyptol can cause irritation on broken skin.
- ⚠Keep Listerine solutions out of reach of children and pets. Even in diluted form, ingestion can cause nausea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Listerine safe to use as a cleaning product?
Yes, Listerine contains thymol and eucalyptol, which are natural antiseptics. When diluted with water, it works as an effective surface cleaner for countertops, tiles, and glass. However, avoid using it on unsealed marble or lacquered wood, as the alcohol content may strip finishes.
How do you make a Listerine cleaning spray?
Mix equal parts original Listerine and water in a spray bottle. Shake gently before each use. This DIY solution works well on laminate countertops, bathroom vanities, and tile backsplashes at a fraction of the cost of commercial cleaners.
Can Listerine remove bad smells from shoes?
Yes, mist the inside of shoes with a Listerine-water spray and let them air-dry. The essential oils combat odor-causing bacteria, and the alcohol dries quickly without leaving moisture that could encourage mold growth.