7 Alternative Uses for Dental Floss

Nine out of 10 dentists recommend it. But surprising tensile strength and the fact that it comes in Teflon means that floss also has lots of non-tooth applications.

Literally, millions of miles of it are sold annually, and not every inch is destined to save those pearly whites. Here's what else you can do with it.

7 Uses for Dental Floss

Hang a Picture

Instead of using braided wire which can mar your wall, tie dental floss across the back of a lightweight frame and then hang it on the wall.

Sew something

Jenn Largesse

Thread dental floss through a needle with a large eye and then use it to sew on a button in a pinch.

Seal connections

Jenn Largesse

If you don’t have Teflon tape on hand, wrap dental floss around the threads on a leaky connection and then screw it back into place.

Foil frays

Jenn Largesse

Wrap rope ends with floss to stop it from unraveling.

Protect bits

Remove the dental floss guide and empty spool, and then use the container to cradle a router’s trim bit.

Replace a broken shoelace

Jenn Largese

Tie the ends of several pieces of detail floss together, wrap the ends with clear tape, and then use as a makeshift shoelace.

Floss tools

Use dental floss to remove dirt from the thread on a screw or from the crevices on a dirty tool.