When cooking rice, many people tend to pour away the rice-rinsing water without a second thought. However, doing so is actually quite wasteful. Rice water can be reused in many practical and eco-friendly ways, such as watering plants, washing hands and face, shampooing hair, or cleaning various household items. Making use of rice water not only saves resources but also helps reduce the amount of chemical cleaning products used in daily life.

One particularly useful trick is mixing toothpaste with rice water to create a multi-purpose cleaning solution that is safe for users and gentle on surfaces. This mixture is easy to prepare and surprisingly effective.

To make it, simply squeeze a small amount of toothpaste into a container of rice water, stir well, and pour the solution into a spray bottle. It is then ready for use on different areas around the house.

Cleaning the Toilet

After a period of use, toilets often accumulate stubborn stains and unpleasant odors. Instead of using harsh chemical cleaners, you can use the rice water and toothpaste solution as a natural alternative.

Spray the mixture evenly over the toilet surface, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a toilet brush as usual. Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that help remove stains, while the starch in rice water assists in loosening dirt and grime. In addition, many types of toothpaste contain mint essential oils, which help eliminate bad odors and leave the toilet smelling fresh.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Items

For stainless steel items such as sinks, utensils, or cookware, spray the rice water and toothpaste solution directly onto the surface. Use a sponge to gently scrub a few times, then rinse with clean water. With just a few simple steps, dirt and stains clinging to stainless steel surfaces can be removed easily, restoring their shine without causing scratches.

Removing Grease and Oil Stains

During cooking, grease and food splashes often stick to the stove, kitchen walls, and countertops. These oily stains are difficult to clean with plain water and a cloth. In such cases, the rice water and toothpaste mixture works very well.

Spray the solution onto greasy areas, leave it for a short time, and wipe repeatedly with paper towels or a clean cloth until the stains are gone.

For greasy bottles, jars, or food containers, pour the rice water and toothpaste mixture inside, close the lid tightly, shake vigorously, and soak for 5–10 minutes. The grease will dissolve into the rice water, leaving the containers clean and glossy without the need for heavy scrubbing.

Removing Rust from Metal Tools

Metal tools such as knives and scissors often develop rust after long-term use. To remove rust, soak them in the rice water and toothpaste solution for 10–15 minutes to soften the rust stains. Then, scrub gently with a brush until the rust comes off. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely with a cloth.

Rice water has mild acidic properties that can react with rust, while toothpaste contains gentle abrasives that help remove rust quickly and effectively. Additionally, regularly wiping knives and scissors with rice water can help prevent rust from forming in the future.

Overall, combining rice water with toothpaste is a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly cleaning method that can be applied to many areas in the home, helping keep household items clean while protecting your health and the environment.