If you have ever made the mistake of buying an over-sized bottle of vodka for $4.99, you’ve probably come to the quick realization that cheap alcohol does not taste very good. Now you have a lot of poor-tasting, unwanted alcohol and don’t know what to do with it. Throw a party? Pour it down the drain? How about using it as an alternative medicine?
Mouthwash
According to the Wellness Mama website, you can prepare your own mouthwash using vodka prepared with cinnamon or spearmint. What a great and inexpensive way to make use of extra supplies you have at home! Not to mention, this way you know exactly what is in your mouthwash and what isn’t—preservatives and harsh chemicals.
Ease Toothache
Often caused by untreated cavities or plain old tooth sensitivity, toothaches are very painful. The book Vodka: A Global History by Patricia Herlihy recommends that people suffering from toothaches use vodka to relieve them. A small amount of vodka can be used to rinse the inside of the mouth near the tooth that is in pain. However, the alcohol only acts as a temporary painkiller and disinfectant, so be sure to see your dentist if the pain persists.
Relieve Foot Odor
Have you ever had a pair of shoes you loved so much that you wore them every day? You’ve probably gotten home, taken off the shoes, and almost fainted after taking a whiff of your feet. Thankfully for you, there is a way that you can relieve the smelliness of your feet and shoes. According to an episode of Myth Busters, you can wipe down your feet with a vodka soaked cloth to get rid of the foot odor. The alcohol kills many odor-causing bacteria and prevents any further smell. Similarly, you can wipe down your shoes with a cloth soaked in alcohol to freshen up your shoes overnight.
Air Freshener
One more use for that big bottle of vodka is to make it into an air freshener, as seen in this Rubies & Radishes post. Many people do not know that the main ingredient in many air fresheners is alcohol. Store bought air fresheners, however, also have synthetic fragrances and other chemicals that can be harmful to the lungs. So why not use vodka mixed with a bit of mint or lavender as a do-it-yourself air freshener? It is a cheaper alternative and is much better for your lungs.
Now that you know a few different ways to use that unwanted alcohol, hopefully you won’t feel pressured to drink it all in one sitting!
Feature Image Source: Christian Senger
