New Uses For Old Mouthwash

Q. You have written about a formula using Listerine for hot spots on dogs. I tried it and it works great, but we’ve nearly used it up and I lost the instructions. Could you give them again?
A. A horse lover shared the following formula she used on the mane and tail of her filly: “1/3 Listerine (original), 1/3 baby oil and 1/3 water. Put in a spray bottle, shake well and spray it on.” This is quite similar to the formula recommended for dogs’ itchy hot spots.
We also came across another novel use for Listerine. A plant enthusiast reports that if you add two ounces of original Listerine to a gallon of water for cut flowers, they will last longer. The acidic, antifungal and antibacterial properties of the mouthwash are probably responsible for this action.