After struggling fiercely in college to stay off the streets (I’m not exactly Mrs. Bill Gates) I’ve come to discover that tons of your everyday cheapo toiletries have tons of additional uses. Next to Rachel Zoe re-runs and chocolate chip cookies, the dollar aisle that’s located in every drug store should be every college girl’s best friend. Who needs all of that expensive Sephora stuff when you have the budget of a homeless man paired with the crafty mind of a student]?
It’s time to take a trip to the toiletry dollar aisle, people. It’s a party back there.
1. Toothpaste: Toothpaste is a great make shift zit remover; dab some on that monster and zit-be-gone! Rubbing a little toothpaste on the scuff marks of your favorite leather pumps will make them disappear (I win again, Thirsty Thursday!). And in even more exciting news, it doesn’t only clean your teeth either; it works great for shining diamond rings or your sink (although if you have a diamond ring, this article might not be for you). And apparently, if you dab some toothpaste on the corner of your poster, it will stick like magic.
2. Baby Oil: Baby oil acts as a great insulator if you are going out for a brisk run in the fall. Rumor has it that if you rub it all over before a work-out, it keeps you warm! It also acts as a fabulous, gentle makeup remover as well as a pick-me-up if you have a jammed North Face zipper. Oh, and after homecoming you can use baby oil to remove all of those war paint marks on your skin. Use it on leather bags and shoes to keep the leather looking supple and brand spankin’ new!
3. Clear Nail Polish: Clear nail polish can be used for more than just shiny nails. It stops runs on tights from progressing into large holes. Clear nail polish can also be used for tightening up loose eyeglasses, or hiding the little scratch you got on your car when you “bumped” into that car parallel parking. (Daddy never needs to know!) You can also preserve old jewelery by painting the goods with clear polish.
4. Hairspray: If you ever have permanent marker stains anywhere (besides your face) hairspray is a lifesaver for easy removal. Apply hairspray to your tights to prevent ripping (hairspray stiffens up the strands.) Loose zipper? Spray some Suave Hairspray on it and put an end to that. If you have lint issues on your black slacks, spray some hairspray on a washcloth and rub all over the pants. Result: lint free! Oh, and keep a little can of hairspray in your purse and have your very own makeshift defensive weapon.
5. Hemorrhoid Cream: If you’re ballsy enough to march up to the register with some hemorrhoid cream, by all means do it. Models swear that it cleans up under eye circles fast.
6. Baby Shampoo: Baby shampoo is a very versatile bathing product. You can wash your face (apparently reduces break-outs), your entire body, or your hair. Or, you could use baby shampoo to wash your eyebrows. Or you could even uses it as a shaving gel. Baby shampoo also acts as a prime candidate for removing makeup from blush brushes because it’s so gentle.
7. Baby Powder: Of course, baby powder is perfect for slightly greasy tresses (acts as dry shampoo). And while this is kind of on the nasty side, dumping some baby powder in your socks before a workout will prevent blisters, foot rot, and stanky feet. Baby powder is also perfect for freshening up your sheets on a sticky day, keeping ants at bay, sprinkling on a knot in a necklace to easily work it apart (!!), making rotting old books (thanks, History class) smell great and even removing grease stains on your shirt while cooking.
8. Mouthwash: Okay, I never knew this was possible, but apparently you can clean a computer screen with by applying mouthwash to a soft cloth and buffing the screen dry. Or use mouthwash as a clean, refreshing face wash. If you haven’t been putting baby powder in your socks (see above, and shame on you) you can treat athletes foot with mouthwash as well. (Yes, it does seem slightly gross that the stuff you put in your mouth also works on your feet….) Also, remove underarm odor by dabbing a cotton ball soaked in mouthwash on your pits.
9. Dental Floss: Dental floss works great to quickly fix a broken bra or hanging up a picture of you and your BF. If you made cookies and forgot the Pam, use floss to scrap the cookies right off the sheet like a pro. What up now, Rachael Ray?
10. Baby Wipes: Baby wipes aren’t just for babies, people! They work great to wipe off dirty surfaces in your dorm, take off eye-makeup, and sanitize your hands. Baby wipes are great stain removers and shoe shiners as well!
So there you have it. Ten cheap items that will save you tons of dough.
By Brittany-University of Saint Thomas
