Redditors Reveal Major Secrets About Some of Your Favorite Brands

"The key ingredient in Pepto-Bismol is bismuth, a metal 86% the density of lead, hence the weight of a bottle of the stuff. Bismuth is used because it is toxic to some bacteria that cause diarrhea (along with some other nifty characteristics), but a genius science teacher I had in junior high told me the weight of the bismuth allows it to displace stomach contents very effectively and reach the source of your problems." — Reddit user JimmyLongnWider

"The 'strawberries' and 'peaches' in Quaker Instant Oatmeal are actually flavored dehydrated apples. The 'blueberries' are flavored dried figs." — Reddit user Rugiewit

"Trader Joe's generic Cheerios is made by General Mills. They are Cheerios." — Reddit user rubberseatbelt

"There's little tabs on the sides of foil and plastic wrap boxes that push in to keep the roll inside the box." — Reddit user spinderlinder

"Gorilla glass was developed in the 60's and no one had any idea what to do with it until we actually started using smartphones that need it. They're selling it to us as a cutting edge product, but really it's 50 years old." — Reddit user NotAfraidOfFire

"The old school yellow liquid version that comes in the pump container — gets out every f*cking stain known to mankind." — Reddit user uhuhshesaid

"HeadOn is a homeopathic remedy, meaning it's nothing but wax. No active ingredients." — Reddit user sulaymansf

"In the 60's a marketing director told the company producing Alka-Seltzer that he could double their sales. He did this with the now iconic phrase plop plop fizz fizz in a jingle. Till that time they had only recommended a dose of one, and this jingle was about rebranding it as a pack of two. They did in fact nearly double in market size very shortly after releasing this jingle, mostly attributable to people now taking two at a time. It marks the beginning of larger serving sizes to increase sales." — Reddit user techniforus

"It's amazing for moisturizing dry legs, as a shaving 'cream', for mosquito bites (heavenly, cooling sensation), sweetener for coffee (extra natural energy as well), lip moisturizer/chapstick, helps stretch marks during pregnancy, great eye make up remover, and even as a natural lubricant for sex (all natural, smells great)! It also contains anti-bacterial properties so it's great to apply on a cut, rash, or burn. Nice sized jar costs less than $10." — Reddit user spockmeow

"If you are actively trying to conceive, lube lessens the survival rate for sperm." — Reddit user Astridasteroid. Another user added that "there is actually a lube called Pre-Seed that helps the sperm move to the egg better. It helped me and several friends conceive." — Reddit user mmmmmpopplers

"A standard Maglite flashlight can be turned into a candle by unscrewing the head and using it as the stand. Also there is typically a spare bulb hidden under the spring in the base." — Reddit user Extrasherman

"They're just melamine sponges. You can order hundreds for like $8. Basically if you pay more than a few cents each, you're getting robbed." — Reddit user _josepi

"Double Stuf Oreos actually only have 1.86 times the filling." — Reddit user Apollo506

"What started out as a 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company) project to make a super strong adhesive, ended in failure. This failure is now known as Post-it Notes." — Reddit user huazzy

"Play-Doh was originally sold as wallpaper cleaner in the 1930's until classrooms started using it as modeling clay and it eventually became rebranded as a toy in 1950's." — Reddit user -eDgAR-

"The samples of cleaning products are much more potent than the stuff you buy. My dad's company makes the spray bottles they use. They send samples to test the sprayers because the over the counter versions are more watered down. If you send them an email saying you like their products they will often send you samples in the mail." — Reddit user fineillmakeausername