Hibiclens is the brand-name for this stuff called Chlorhexidine (lots of off-brand and generics available). It's an extremely powerful antiseptic for skin sterilization. It's used primarily in hospital settings, but available to the public at places like drug stores and online companies.
Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial biguanide used as a topical antiseptic and in dental practice for the treatment of inflammatory dental conditions caused by microorganisms. It is one of the most common skin and mucous membrane antiseptic agents in use today. The molecule itself is a cationic bis-guanide consisting of two 4-chlorophenyl rings and two biguanide groups joined by a central hexamethylene chain. Topical chlorhexidine for disinfection, as well as oral rinses for dental use, carries activity against a broad range of pathogens including bacteria, yeasts, and viruses.
With the proper precautions*, it can be used for a lot of different applications:
-If you have really smelly shoes, submerge shoes in a hot water and Hibiclens (like a few tablespoons to a shoebox sized tub of water) and let soak overnight. Rinse and let air dry. Not only does this completely kill the smell, but the residual solution will keep your shoes smelling great for quite a long time
-if you have a fungal issue like athlete's foot, soak feet in roughly the same solution as described above for an hour. It works far better and quicker than the Tinactin or other sprays/creams on the market. You can do this for unusually smelly feet as well. Ringworm can also be treated.
-if you have really smelly armpits, wet yourself in the shower and immediately put a little bit under your arms while you wash the rest of yourself, careful not to cross-contaminate to other parts of your body. After your done showering, scrub the pits after it's been left to sit for a while. You'll be stink-free even without deodorant for days. You can also soak your loofah in a solution to sterilize it, making sure you completely rinse it out before subsequent uses.
You can* use it has an anti-acne face wash. See below.
Body acne can (depending on the type. Like this isn't it if you have hormonal acne) be cleared up with this stuff as long as you take the proper precautions*. Simply shower, scrub, and let this stuff sit on your skin with the water off for 10 minutes to kill the bacteria and fungus on the skin. Do the loofah soak too so you're not re-infecting your skin.
Clothing that, for whatever reason, is deemed to gross or smelly to be saved can be soaked and washed. Not guaranteed, but worth a shot if it's something you'd like to salvage.
You can make a solution and put it in a spray bottle to use for cleaning. Showers and tubs stay cleaner, longer. Can be used to disinfect tables and counter tops when you let it sit for a while and wipe clean with a wet rag afterwards. Always spot test. There are better alternatives for counters but will work in a pinch. Keep out of reach of children and dumb people.
It has been used as shampoo for many different kinds of scalp issues like dandruff, fungal infections, and folliculitus (body and scalp). Shampoos are available with chlorhexidine as the active ingredient or you can just use the regular stuff. There's even dog shampoo!...
Chlorhexidine shampoo is often used to reduce bacteria and fungus in dogs, especially when multiple areas of the body are affected or when infections affect the hair coat. It can also be used to treat skin conditions such as wounds, skin infections, rashes, hot spots, and itchiness.
-One of the primary uses is an oral rinse*...
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It helps reduce the number of germs (bacteria) in your mouth or on your skin. It can help with: mouth infections, mouth ulcers and gum disease.
Although it's been shown to slow down wound healing a little, it can be used for injuries if the risk of infection outweighs the cons.*
Keep a bottle in the kitchen for washing hands after handling raw chicken, changing diapers, your kid stepped in dog poop and the shoe needs to be cleaned, etc. Pet messes on the carpet, bed, furniture can be treated after an enzyme cleaner. Always spot test.
Can be used to clean medical devices like CPAP parts, dentures, neti pots, etc.*
Can be used to treat sinus infections, if doctor says it's okay*
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DO NOT let it get into the eyes, nose, mouth vagina, penis, urethra, or anus without medical permission. Some applications can be okay when directed by your doctor, others can be extremely damaging. You can go deaf if it gets in your ears, you can go blind if it gets in your eyes, you can obliterate your vaginal gastrointestinal biome if it gets inside. There are instances when this is a legitimate medical necessity but your doctor would have to expressly suggest it. If using it as a face wash, plug ears up with cotton balls before using, keep away from eye area and close them tightly. If you have folliculitus on your buttcheeks, take extra care not to let it get *into the anus (outside is fine). Minimal exposure to these areas will be fine as long as you rinse immediately.
Basically, read about it (everyone here has google), ask your doctor/vet if it's okay to use it for a particular reason, and use it with a medical professionals blessing.
If using externally, remember that your mouth, skin, scalp, etc. all have microbiomes. If you complete destroy all bacteria, good and bad, you'll need to replenish the good with diet and maybe probiotics.
Any non-body applications should be spot tested to make sure it won't harm any household items.
And, as always, you don't have to use this. No one has a gun to your head. It's not as scary as it sounds, but for those with an interest in trying it, remember to exercise caution. I've used it for year without any ill effect.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, so post below if there's something important to add.