Household Uses for Aspirin
October 27, 2009 by Karissa
Filed under Recipes: Home, Skin, Food
I was watching the Today Show this morning, and although they haven’t gotten to the segment yet, they mentioned a segment coming up about all the uses for aspirin. I thought to myself, that would make a great post!
After all, who is going to remember what they said on the Today Show later today!?
The chemical name of aspirin is acetyl salicylic acid or Acetasalicylic acid, a white crystalline compound. It has analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties, and belongs to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The name was originally a trade name registered in 1899 by Bayer, but has become the preferred name for the drug.
Revive a dead car battery
Ever run out of juice for your car, and either you are in a tight spot to get jumped, or you are just plain with out cables- you may be able to get your vehicle started by dropping two aspirin tablets into the battery. The aspirin’s acetylsalicylic acid will combine with the battery’s sulfuric acid to produce one last charge.
Dry up zits!
You might remember a couple masks I have given you recipes for previously. Crushing one aspirin and moistening it with a bit of water, or even add it to honey or aloe vera pulp. Apply the paste to the pimple, and let it sit for a couple of minutes before washing off with soap and water. You can repeat, but wait at least 16-24 hrs in between applications
Treat calluses
Soften hard calluses on your feet by grinding five or six aspirins into a powder. Make a paste by adding 1/2 teaspoon each of lemon juice and water. Apply the mixture to the affected areas, then wrap your foot in a warm towel and cover it with a plastic bag. After staying off your feet for at least ten minutes, remove the bag and towel, and file down the softened callus with a pumice stone.
Get rid of pit stains
Have t-shirts, or even a favorite white dressy shirt with sweat stains? I think sometimes they are deodorant stains too! Well before you throw them out try this! Crush two aspirins and mix the powder in 1/2 cup warm water. Soak the stained part of the garment in the solution for two to three hours.
Restore hair color
Yuck. Swimming can change your hairs color pretty fast, especially if you swim in largely treated pools. But you can usually return your hair to its former shade by dissolving six to eight aspirins in a glass of warm water. Rub the solution thoroughly into your hair, and let it set for 10-15 minutes.
Dandruff
I get dandruff in the summer sometimes. Crushing two aspirins to a fine powder and adding it to the normal amount of shampoo you use each time you wash your hair, should alleviate the problem. Leave the mixture on your hair for 1-2 minutes, then rinse well and wash again with plain shampoo.
Fungus ridden soil
Ever get that icky fungus on the soil of your houseplants? It can be treated by using aspirin. Dissolve one aspirin in a liter of water and sprinkle the mixture on the affected soil. Although this will fix the problem, care should be taken to not to make the mixture too strong if using around plants, as it may burn the leaves.Don’t pour it in like you are watering the plant, just sprinkle on top.
Apply to insect bites and stings
Control the inflammation caused by mosquito bites or bee stings by wetting your skin and rubbing an aspirin over the spot. Or use the acne treatment above and make a paste and apply.
Help cut flowers last longer
Put a crushed aspirin in the water before adding your flowers.
None of these are a replacement for medical advice!
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Wow, I had no idea about any of this. Looks like it’s time to break out the old aspirin & get to work!
Who knew? I’m using the foot idea – callous removal – tomorrow morning before I shower. You are a wealth of information!
I had no idea hat an asprin has so many wonderful uses! I am going to try the pit stain method.
Wow! I never would have guessed it could be used in so many ways.
theredheadriter (at) aol (dot) com
There’s that acne thing again! LOL
I like this aspirin post. I think an aspirin a day helped my grandfather survive two open heart surgeries and he lived to be in his eighties. I miss him tonight ♥
The Redhead Riter´s last blog ..Bubba and The Traffic Camera
WOW! That is really a lot of stuff I didn’t know. I haven’t had aspirin in the house in a long time. Think I need to pick up a bottle!
Kasey @ All Things Mamma´s last blog ..We’re Getting Ready!
Got to try the one for dandruff. I get it randomly. Thanks!
I have to take an asprin a day and always buy the big bottle. Now I know of other uses! Thanks
Peggy Gorman´s last blog ..Keep Your Mind on the Wheel
Restoring hair color? I’m going to have to try that. I color my hair about every 3 months and I feel like it fades too fast sometimes. Thanks for the tips!
Tiffany´s last blog ..Aroma Home + Giveaway
I knew about many of these. AND I used it to spread around my scar opening when I got my belly button peirced
Night Owl mama´s last blog ..Bloggy Friends My Mom Needs Your Help
Great info…Thanks
Really??? Wow! I learned something else today.
I could have used the zit one when I was a teen.
Aloha,
Love the list..thought I would add another:
Put an aspirin in the water of your Christmas tree and it will last a lot longer (I usually put an aspirin every 3 days!
Pat´s last blog ..Aloha Friday…Running On The Beach!
I need aspirin! I so need it for so many reasons! This is the coolest thing ever!
Kim´s last blog ..Tattoo Artistes Need Love Too!
Great tips! I especially like the tip for eliminating fungus in houseplant soil…that will come in handy!
GREAT tips!!! Will post a link to this on my FB!
Just a thought, but you may also want to warn anyone allergic to asprin to avoid some of these uses…I am allergic and would fear to do any of them. That said, for people that are NOT allergic, these are great tips!!!!
I love household fixers! =)
I knew about a couple of these but you gave me some new ideas!
Jenna @ For The Love of Baby´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday. YUMMY.
Great ideas! Especially good for people who do NOT take aspirin and need to find other uses for it.
Robin @ toxicbeautyblog.com´s last blog ..IODINE? 4 Top Reasons Why You Need It….NOW!
I have never seen most of these uses before, thanks for the ideas!
I’ve also heard aspirin is great for acne but i have never tried it. I’ve been either pregnant or nursing for the majority of the past 5 years but I will need to try it out once I am done.
Marianna @ Green Mama’s Pad´s last blog ..Green Halloween: Skip the Face Paint
Wow! What a great post! Never knew this stuff
Asprin masks are definitely a cult favorite – the reviews at MUA are amazing – I haven’t tried it yet & didn’t realize at all that aspirin = salicylic acid << an ingredient I constantly see listed on anti-acne products (and even in some makeup) http://tinyurl.com/esu5a
Kinda forgot about it actually until I saw your post!