Aspirin, a medication used to treat pain, fever and inflammation, is something most of us have in our medicine cabinets - but did you know there are lots of lesser-known uses for aspirin too?
Aspirin contains salicylic acid - an ingredient often found in high-quality skincare products amongst other things
Today we're showing you how aspirin can be used for everything from beauty to gardening. This cheap, everyday product has some amazing powers.
Don't miss out - check out the surprising uses for aspirin listed below!
1. Uses for aspirin in the laundry
We're kicking off with a weird one...
...did you know aspirin can be used to remove sweat stains?
Crush up 3 aspirin tablets and mix the powder with 1/2 cup water until a paste is formed. Apply the paste to the stain, then let sit for 2 hours before laundering as usual.
There's no need for harsh stain-removal products when you know the secret uses for aspirin!
Discover how to remove more common stains in our other blog post.
2. How to remove rust with aspirin
Rust is so unsightly! Luckily, we have a secret method for removing stains left by a rusty razor or can.
Want to know the trick?
Aspirin! One of the best uses for aspirin is removing rust. Dampen rusty objects, then carefully apply some crushed aspirin tablets onto the area. Leave to sit for 10 minutes before wiping clean.
3. Treat your pimples using aspirin
It's time to look at some beauty uses for aspirin. The salicylic acid found in aspirin tablets can be extremely useful for drying out your pimples, helping them to recover more quickly.
To treat pimples using aspirin, simply crush a handful of tablets and slowly add either water, or apple cider vinegar, until a paste is formed. Apply to the face, and wash off with warm water after around 15 minutes.
Who knew clear skin could be this easy!
4. Cure dandruff
If you keep finding a white, flaky substance on your shoulders, chances are you have dandruff.
Whilst dandruff isn't harmful, it can be uncomfortable - and embarrassing.
Want to know how to get rid of dandruff for GOOD?
Crush 2 tablets of aspirin and add them to a capful of shampoo. Wash your hair as normal, and you should see a dramatic improvement in the condition of your scalp. Repeat every other day for best results.
Check out our other natural dandruff cures too!
5. Use aspirin to help your plants grow
We've already talked a lot about salicylic acid. Well, Acetylsalicylic acid -naturally found in tree bark - is derived from this active ingredient, and will do wonders for your plants.
Not only does it contain calcium, but also boosts your plants' immune systems, helping them to stay strong and healthy.
Give it a go today and watch your plants grow!
6. Treat piercing bumps
Getting a bump near your piercing can be pretty annoying - it's perhaps not quite the look you were aiming for!
We have a quick fix.
Aspirin can speed up the healing process as it encourages the blood vessels below the skin's surface to open, bringing more blood to the area.
It's also really easy. Just add a few drops of water to a crushed aspirin tablet and apply to pierced skin. Leave for 10 minutes, then wash with warm water.
Repeat up to 3 times a day and your bump will be gone in no time!
For another solution, try tea tree oil for piercings.
We're not done yet! Keep reading for more unusual uses for aspirin...
7. How to soften feet using aspirin
Don't leave your feet unattended to. When Summer comes around, you want to wear your sandals with pride.
One genius and easy way to soften hard skin on feet is using aspirin.
Want to get soft feet NOW?
- Crush 5 aspirin tablets and mix them with 1/2 tsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp water. Mix into a paste and apply to feet.
- Pull on a pair of socks.
- Leave for 10 minutes then wash with warm water.
Learn how to get even softer feet in our other blog post.
8. Treat a hangover
Now we've arrived at one of the most useful uses for aspirin - treating a hangover.
Uhh - dull head? Despite popular belief, the key to curing a hangover is simple: an aspirin and a cup of coffee.
Leave your English Breakfasts and 'Hair Of The Dog' for another day if you want to alleviate your hangover quickly.
9. Ingrown hair treatment
Bare legs don't look quite as nice with bumps and lumps from ingrown hairs.
Another beauty use for aspirin is a treatment for ingrown hairs. Cool and calm your skin using this 2-ingredient treatment from Live About.
The effects of this treatment are, once again, down to the salicylic acid in aspirin - it exfoliates the skin, allowing the ingrown hair to come through.
Check out our guide to find out whether you should exfoliate before you shave.
10. How to make flowers last longer
If only your gorgeous bouquet of flowers could last a little longer.
Well, now it can!
Add a few crushed aspirin pills to your vase of flowers and the salicylic acid will help keep the water clean and free of bacteria.
Are you fond of flowers? Discover more ways to make flowers last longer in our other blog post.
11. Aspirin for bites & stings
Last on our list of uses for aspirin is a treatment for nasty bites and stings.
Aspirin's anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal treatment for lumps and bumps left behind by bugs.
Want relief, FAST?
Crush two aspirin tablets and mix with a little water to form a paste. Apply to the affected area, and leave for a few minutes before washing off.
12. Homemade treatment for discoloured hair
Have you noticed a change in your hair colour? Chemicals such as chlorine in pool water can have an adverse effect on the colour of your hair, causing it to become dull and even develop a greenish tinge in some cases.
If you're experiencing this, why not try an aspirin hair treatment?
Dissolve a few crushed aspirin into a glass of warm water and apply to hair. Leave to sit for 15 minutes before washing off.
This is definitely one of the many uses for aspirin you should have on hand - especially for those Summer holidays!
Did you enjoy our uses for aspirin? Comment below with your favourite!
Very interesting and useful money saving tips!! Well done for such a good site.
Hi Gareth, We're so glad you enjoyed the tips. Hope to see you again soon :)
Well you learn something new every day,quite amazing aspirin tips
Hi Beverley, Glad you enjoyed the tips! Stay tuned for more great ideas :)
Hi Steph - I knew about the flower trick but the other tips are new to me. Most intriguing. I'll have to try a few of them. I guess aspirin is aspiring too! Please change the spelling in #11 and #12.
Hi Sandy, Glad we taught you something new today! Thanks for the typos - this is probably actually an app I have which sometimes proves more of an inconvenience than anything else! Hope to see you on-site again soon :)
all I know is that I have had sciatica for four weeks now and aspirin has been the only remedy that has helped me through the day.
Sorry to hear that, Susan! We hope you feel better soon.
Wonderful tips, but :......Please do be careful when taking aspirin by mouth. Always take with food, as it can affect the lining of the stomach and cause stomach bleeds. So if taking for a hangover, eat something to line your stomach just before taking.
Thanks for sharing, Teresa!
Great aspirin tips going to try the rust one for sure, thank you for some great tips.
You're welcome!
Thank you for theses tips they are very useful I knew two some ove theses Aspin used for serton items but I didn't now everything thank you for theses tips can we all have more tips like theses
You're welcome, Amanda!
The aspirin trick for the plants, do i crush and put in the water i use to water them?
You need to dissolve one aspirin tablet in about 4 litres of water and then water your plants.
I was told to make a paste of crushed aspirin and mix with green alcohol to make a paste and apply to my knees, This is supposed to be great for chronic knee pain...has anyone tried this, did it help?
Hi Teresa! It's not recommended. Additionally, self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. If you have chronic knee pain, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.