Louis chemist named Joseph Lawrence invented Listerine. The alcohol-based formula was sold as a surgical antiseptic as well as a treatment for cleaning cuts, scrapes, and other wounds. It was also marketed to dentists for oral care. Later, it was pitched as a floor cleaner and a cure for gonorrhea.

What was the original use of Listerine?

In 1879, Dr. Lawrence created Listerine – a mouthwash used for cleaning mouths and sterilizing surgical wounds.

Is mouthwash a floor cleaner?

While used today primarily as a mouthwash for oral health and hygiene, it has been sold as a surgical disinfectant, a cure for dandruff, a floor cleaner, a hair tonic, a deodorant, and as a "beneficial remedy" for diseases ranging from diphtheria and dysentery to small pox and gonorrhea.

Why was Listerine discontinued?

The manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, say it's due to “low regional demand“. There are, however, some ways you can still buy it. Like many other people, I was dismayed, because there really is no other mouthwash like the “Antiseptic” original. All other mouthwashes taste like sweet sugary glop to me.

What is the difference between blue and purple Listerine?

The green and blue bottles represent the antiseptic mouthwash, while the purple represents the fluoride mouthwash.

The Untold Truth Of Listerine

When was Listerine a floor cleaner?

Listerine was invented in the nineteenth century as a surgical antiseptic. Soon afterward it was sold unsuccessfully as a floor cleaner and a cure for everything from chapped hands to gonorrhea. In the 1920's, however, the makers of Listerine hit pay dirt when they pitched it as a remedy for bad breath.

Can I use Listerine to clean a cut?

Pour a cup of mouthwash in the toilet and let it soak for about an hour, then scrub as usual. For small scratches, cuts, and blisters, apply a cotton ball, q-tip, or paper towel soaked in mouthwash to the wound. The antibacterial properties of mouthwash can act as an alternative if you don't have ointment.

What can Listerine be used for?

LISTERINE^® mouthwash is only intended to be used to help prevent common oral health problems like bad breath, plaque, cavities, gingivitis and tooth stains. LISTERINE^® mouthwash is not intended to be gargled in the throat, but rather, swished in the mouth.

Why does it burn when I use Listerine?

Some mouth rinses contain high levels of alcohol — ranging from 18 to 26 percent. This may produce a burning sensation in the cheeks, teeth, and gums. Burning can also come from consistent mouthwash use, which causes irritated mouth tissue and can lead to mouth sores.

Does Listerine keep mosquitoes away?

Can Listerine mouthwash be used in place of bug spray to repel mosquitoes? No, you cannot use Listerine in the place of a bug spray. According to Dr. Karlan Robinson, it does repel mosquitoes, but those effects don't last very long.

Did Listerine invent halitosis?

Let's get something straight: Listerine did not invent bad breath, they just figured out a clever way to create a market for their product. ... And it was Gerald Lambert, the son of the owner of Lambert Pharmaceutical Company, who came across the term, “halitosis,” in an old medical journal.

What can you clean with Listerine?

• Soak your feet. Try this famous Listerine vinegar foot soak recipe to get feet soft and sandal ready. ...
• Cleanse your face. ...
• Cure underarm odor. ...
• Get rid of dandruff. ...
• Treat athlete's foot. ...
• Disinfect a cut. ...
• Add to wash cycle. ...
• Clean the toilet.

Can you use mouthwash as an antiseptic?

Mouthwash has been around since 1879 and originally was used as an antiseptic for surgical procedures. Today we know it's great for killing germs in your mouth and freshening breath, but mouthwash also can come in handy for a variety of unusual uses. ... Just make sure you use a mouth rinse that is alcohol-based.

Does Listerine whiten teeth?

LISTERINE^® HEALTHY WHITE™ RESTORING Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash can safely whiten stained teeth while helping you get rid of bad breath germs and preventing tooth decay. Enjoy the 2-in-1 power of LISTERINE^® that gives you a brighter smile while seamlessly fitting into your morning oral care routine.

What does soaking feet in Listerine do?

A Listerine foot soak is a type of at-home foot bath. It's primarily used to treat athlete's foot and onychomycosis (toenail fungus). People also use Listerine on their feet to help remove dead skin. Listerine, which is normally used to help prevent cavities and gingivitis, has numerous active ingredients.

Can I put Listerine on my pimples?

The herbal oils and alcohol in Listerine have antimicrobial properties, and many readers have reported success using it for fungal infections such as jock itch, dandruff and nail fungus. Other readers also have found, as you did, that it helps clear blemishes.

Can you put Listerine in your hair?

After shampooing and conditioning as per your usual routine, Farah suggests spraying a half-and-half mix of water and original Listerine on your scalp. Then: rub it in, let it sit, and be dandruff free.

Why Listerine is bad for you?

May be linked with increased cancer risk

Mouthwash may also contain synthetic ingredients that have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. A 2016 study concluded that people who regularly use mouthwash may have a slightly elevated risk of head and neck cancers than people who never used mouthwash.

Is Listerine related to Joseph Lister?

Dr. Joseph Lawrence, the creator of LISTERINE^® mouthwash, wanted to name his work after a scientist who paved the way. Lister, an English doctor and surgeon, became the first surgeon to perform an operation in a chamber sterilized with pulverized antiseptic.

Does Listerine still make woven floss?

Please bring back Listerine Gentle Gum Care woven floss. I've used it for years and it's a great floss. Unfortunately, you've discontinued it.

Which Listerine is the strongest?

1. Listerine Total Care: The best all-round mouthwash – if you don't mind the sting. Listerine dominates the mouthwash market, and Total Care is its flagship product. Boldly, it claims to kill up to 97% of germs, while reducing plaque by up to 56% more than brushing alone.

How many kinds of Listerine are there?

Nine different kinds of Listerine are on the market in the U.S. and elsewhere: Original, Cool Mint, FreshBurst, Natural Citrus, Naturals, Soft Mint (Vanilla Mint), UltraClean (formerly Advanced Listerine), Tooth Defense (mint shield), and Whitening pre-brush rinse (clean mint).

How do I clean my bathroom with Listerine?

Clean your toilet

Dirty, dingy bowl? No problem. Several cleaning experts recommend pouring a quarter cup of mouthwash into your toilet and letting it sit for at least 30 minutes. Swish and scrub for a bit and voila — a shiny, happy toilet.

Can you use Listerine for other things?

Listerine not only helps make your mouth smell fresh, but also the rest of you. Yep, you can use it as deodorant, advises Listerine Foot Soak. Just put some into a spray bottle and spray it under your arms, or you can put some on a cotton ball and rub it under your arms a couple of times a day.