18 Little-Known Ways Witch Hazel Can Improve Your Whole Life

By Editorial Staff October 30, 2018

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cleaning,
hack

Hamamelis virginiana, more commonly referred to as witch hazel, is a household staple that most of us have in our bathroom medicine cabinets. But what does witch hazel do, exactly? Turns out, there are many uses for witch hazel we bet you’ve never heard of that could actually make your whole life a lot easier. From cleaning the house to your pets’ ears, this powerful anti-inflammatory astringent packs a big punch when it comes to multifaceted pantry items.

Where to Buy Witch Hazel

If you don’t already have a bottle of witch hazel lying around at home, now’s the time to buy some. This household staple will save you money on expensive products in the long run, so be sure to stock up! Luckily, you can purchase witch hazel at your local grocery store or pharmacy, or you can even buy it online from reputable brands. A few brands that we recommend include:

Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, Clear, 12-oz pack of 2 ($19.45, Amazon)
T.N. Dickinson’s Astringent, 100% Natural, Witch Hazel 16-oz pack of 2 ($19.43, Amazon)
Humphrey’s Witch Hazel Astringent 100% All Natural Witch Hazel 16 ounces ($9.92, Amazon)

For a few little-known uses of witch hazel that will simplify pesky chores, scroll through the gallery below.

Fix clumpy nail polish

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Fix clumpy nail polish.

You finally found the time to sit down and give yourself a pedicure, but the nail polish you planned to use is clumping up. What can help: Add a few drops of witch hazel to the bottle, close, and shake well. Witch hazel contains alcohol, which acts as a thinner to smooth out clumps so you can easily paint your nails.
Make kitchen floors shine

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Make kitchen floors shine.

If heavy foot traffic has left your floor looking dingy, try this DIY shine treatment: Pour 1⁄2 cup of witch hazel and 1 gallon of warm water into a bucket and use the solution to mop the floor. Solvents in witch hazel will strip away old wax (which causes discoloration) and dissolve dirt. (This solution can be used as a linoleum floor cleaner, or it can be used on tile.)
Lift dried blood spots from clothes

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Lift dried blood spots from clothes.

You husband nicked himself shaving, and there’s a bloodstain on the collar of his favorite button-down shirt. To eliminate the mark, soak the shirt collar in a bowl of witch hazel for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water. The alcohol in witch hazel will break down the dried bloodstain, which will disappear in the wash.
Get streak-free windows

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Get streak-free windows.

The secret to spotless windows: Pour 1 cup of witch hazel, 1 cup of water, and a few drops of dish soap into a spray bottle. Spritz on glass and wipe clean. The mix cuts through grime without leaving streaks like commercial cleaners.
Heal Your Dog's Ear Infection

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Heal your dog's ear infection.

Every so often, your poor pup gets an itchy ear infection, which causes him to scratch like crazy. But is witch hazel safe for dogs? The fix many veterinarians recommend (but check with yours first): Moisten a cotton ball with witch hazel and gently wipe the inside of your dog’s ears daily until the infection clears. Witch hazel's astringent benefits will break down the waxy buildup that can lead to an infection.
Get rid of fruit flies.

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Get rid of fruit flies.

To get rid of the pests buzzing around your produce, pour 1⁄2 cup of witch hazel into a mason jar, then add a few drops of dish soap. The bugs will be drawn to witch hazel’s scent, but the sticky soap will trap them in the liquid.
Soothe a poison ivy rash.

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Soothe a poison ivy rash.

When you were pulling weeds in your garden, you brushed up against poison ivy and now your arms are covered in an itchy rash. For fast relief, soak a paper towel in witch hazel and dab on the irritated skin. Witch hazel is an astringent that will draw out the itch-inducing oils from the poison ivy and dry out the rash. The liquid also contains eugenol — an anesthetic compound that has been shown to reduce swelling and itching. Much better!
Deodorize shoes for pennies.

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Deodorize shoes for pennies.

If summer activities have left your sneakers smelling a bit less than fresh, combine 1⁄2 cup of witch hazel, 1 cup of water, and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake gently, then spritz inside your shoes. Mixing essential oil with witch hazel eliminates any germs causing the odor — and leave behind a pleasant scent!
Reduce redness after waxing.

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Reduce redness after waxing.

You just shaped your eyebrows, but now your skin is so red and inflamed that you can’t leave the house! The fast-acting fix: Soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and apply to just-waxed skin. The witch hazel will constrict capillaries, quickly reducing redness.
Make homemade mosquito repellent

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Make homemade mosquito repellent.

Instead of using pricey bug sprays that are loaded with harsh chemicals to keep mosquitoes at bay, make your own natural solution. To do: Combine 1 cup of witch hazel, 1 cup of water, and 20 drops of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well, then spritz all over your body. The scents of the witch hazel and essential oil will be unpleasant to the mosquitoes’ odor receptors, so they’ll stay clear. Bonus: This natural solution won't irritate your skin.
Get rid of puffy eyes in minutes

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Get rid of puffy eyes in minutes.

Woke up with swollen peepers? Good news: You can use with hazel for puffy eyes. Just beat one egg white with 1 tsp. of witch hazel until foamy, dab under your eyes, let sit for five minutes, then rinse off. The anti-inflammatory witch hazel will reduce puffiness and irritation while the egg's albumin tightens skin.
Peel away stubborn stickers

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Peel away stubborn stickers.

Your new wine glasses are just what you were looking for — now, if only you could get those price tags off! To make things easier, saturate a cotton ball with witch hazel and press it onto the stick for 30 seconds. The astringent witch hazel will break down the stickers' binding agents so the paper comes off easily.
Get hair dye off of your skin.

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Get hair dye off of your skin.

Your newly colored tresses look gorgeous, but you ended up with a few dye spots around your ears. To erase the discoloration, wipe skin with a cotton ball or tissue soaked in witch hazel. The gallic acid in witch hazel will gently break down the dye's pigments, so all you'll see is your perfect new hue.
Prevent razor burn and bumps.

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Prevent razor burn and bumps.

Avoid painful razor burn by applying witch hazel to your skin right after you dry off from the shower. The antibacterial, astringent witch hazel will soothe inflammation and redness leaving your skin glowing and bump-free.
Make a DIY makeup setting spray.

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Make a DIY makeup setting spray.

If your foundation tends to cake or slide, make your own DIY facial spray to help keep it in place. In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of mineral water with 1 tsp. of witch hazel. After applying foundation and concealer, lightly spritz your face, then apply powder as usual. The quick-drying astringent witch hazel will tighten skin, setting the makeup and ensuring that you look your best throughout the entire day.
Mix together a homemade all-purpose cleaner.

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Mix together a homemade all-purpose cleaner.

For a homemade all-purpose cleaner, mix together 1/2 cup of witch hazel, 1 cup of water, and 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice in a spray bottle. The combo of witch hazel and lemon will cut through grease, kill bacteria, and leave behind a fresh, citrus scent. Your countertops will sparkle!
Make an all-natural home freshener spray.

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Make an all-natural home freshener spray.

To give your home a pleasant scent without headache-causing chemicals, make your own natural air freshener by combining 1/2 cups of witch hazel, 1 cup of water, and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle. Spritz around the house whenever your home needs a quick refresh. Witch hazel will kill odor-causing bacteria, while the essential oils leave your space smelling lovely.
Wipe away smudges on sunglasses.

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Wipe away smudges on sunglasses.

Your sunglasses are your constant companion — that is, until they pick up streaks and smudges that drive you crazy. For an on-the-go glasses cleaner, fill a small spray bottle with a 50:50 solution of witch hazel and water, then add one drop of liquid dish soap and shake to mix. When your lenses get dirty, spritz and wipe dry with a soft cloth. The astringent witch hazel will cut through grease and dirt so the soapy water can easily wash grime away.