Do you use Tums when you have heartburn? Most people do! But lots of us have no idea that Tums has other uses too.
Personally, I’ve always been a huge fan of finding new and unexpected uses for stuff I already have lying around the house.
After all, it doesn’t make financial sense to buy all sorts of one-off products that can only be used a single way, especially not when there are so many simple solutions on hand.
Olive oil, for example, can be used on everything from hairy legs to dry skin, making products like shaving cream and bath oil, well, a little unnecessary!
Tums can be used for fixing tons of tiny little problems around the house, from dingy glassware to sore skin.
Scroll through the pictures below to see all the unexpected ways you could be putting Tums to work!
Alternate Tums Use #1: Clean The Toilet
Cleaning the toilet can be a truly gross task, especially if you fall behind on this particular chore.
Fortunately, Tums offer a super simple way to do touch-ups in between bathroom scrub-downs.
Just flush once, then drop a couple tablets into the bowl of the toilet and let them dissolve for 5-10 minutes.
Use a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the bowl with the dissolved tablets, then flush again — it's the perfect quick fix when you don't have time to wipe down the whole bathroom.
Alternate Tums Use #2: Ease itching
Next time you find yourself scratching at an itchy bug bite, or trying to soothe the sting of a mild burn, try reaching for the Tums!
The same ingredients that helps soothe your sore throat when you have heartburn work quickly on other minor irritations, helping to tame itches and cool burns in no time flat.
To pull off this easy trick, just apply a little bit of water to a Tums tablet and place it on the affected area.
You can also crush the tablet into powder and mix with water to form a thick paste if you prefer!
Alternate Tums Use #3: Add Sparkle To A Vase
If you're going to put out fresh flowers, you're going to want a shining, sparkling vase to display them in!
However, a lot of vases are tricky to wash because they might be too tall or oddly shaped for traditional cleaning methods, and they end up looking dingy.
Solve the problem by dropping two Tums into the vase and filling is two-thirds full with water.
Then, use a scrubbing brush or clean sponge to polish it up, rinse with clean water, and enjoy!
Alternate Tums Use #4: Shine Up Your Jewelry
Overtime, jewelry can get tarnished and gross — especially if you wear it all the time!
That's why it's a good idea to give your jewelry an occasional polish and clean to keep it shiny.
Tums works well for this task; just drop a tablet or two into a glass of water, add the jewelry, and allow to soak 10-15 minutes, then rinse clean.
Just make sure you know how your gems respond to cleaning; don't try this method on enamel jewelry or porous gemstones.
Alternate Tums Use #5: Soothe Canker Sores
We all get canker sores from time to time, and they really are the worst.
These sore spots are actually small ulcers which develop inside your mouth, and are often caused or exacerbated by sugar, spicy foods, and items like braces and mouth guards that can irritate the skin.
They generally aren't dangerous, but they sure are painful and annoying; fortunately, Tums can help.
Tuck a Tums into the spot in your mouth that's sore, and leave it there. The antacid properties will soothe the hot spot and relieve the pain.
Alternate Tums Use #6: Banish Grease Stains
If you've ever gotten a grease stain on a favorite top, you know that they can be extremely challenging to remove.
Fortunately, if you act right away, there's a good chance you'll banish the spot for good.
First, crush up a Tums and spoon the powder on top of the stain; it will absorb the grease.
After about 10 minutes, pour a little dish soap onto the whole mess and rinse it off — your stain should be gone.
Alternate Tums Use #7: Reduce Red Face
Do you get flushed and red in the face when you have even a sip of wine?
Getting red-faced when you have anything at all to drink can be embarrassing, since it can make you look as if you're three sheets to the wind when you've barely touched a drop.
Next time you plan to have a beer or a glass of wine with dinner, take two Tums first. This will prevent flushed skin before it starts.
Alternate Tums Use #8: Open A Sticky Lock
Getting locked out is incredibly irritating, especially when it happens over and over again.
Next time your shed door simply refuses to open, though, take a pause before you call the locksmith.
It's worth trying an easier (and far cheaper!) solution first, by simply rubbing a chalky Tums tablet all over the key until it's coated in dust.
This will increase the friction inside the lock, and make even a stubborn lock more likely to open.
