12 Ways to Use A Toothbrush for Cleaning
Wait before you throw away that old toothbrush! Check out these 12 ways to use a toothbrush for cleaning.
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Many dentists recommend that you change your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months. That’s about 4 toothbrushes thrown away a year! Instead of throwing away your old toothbrushes, try one of these 12 ways to use a toothbrush for cleaning.
Note: If you have been sick with the flu or stomach virus, you should immediately throw the toothbrush in the trash.
These tips are good to remember while you are decluttering your bathroom!
Read more home tips here!
12 Ways to Use A Toothbrush For Cleaning
1. Clean appliances
A toothbrush works perfect for getting into the smaller parts of the toaster to get all those crumbs out. They also work great on coffee makers and microwaves! Dip a toothbrush in soapy water and use it to clean between appliance knobs and buttons.
2. Clean grout
Grout grime is pretty disgusting! A toothbrush works perfectly at getting the grout grime off. Combine baking soda and water to make a paste and dip the toothbrush in the paste. Use it to scrub the grout in the tiles to get all the grime out and leave them sparkly clean!
3. Clean the walls
Have a little one who thought it was okay to draw a mural on the wall with crayon? Use a toothbrush to clean it off easily. Dip a toothbrush in undiluted white vinegar and use it to scrub away the stain. Wipe the wall with a clean, damp cloth.
See also: Natural Cleaning Supplies
4. Clean toys
Children’s toys get pretty disgusting! Add a squirt of dish soap to some water and dip the toothbrush in it. Scrub away the dirt and grime from the toys with the toothbrush, then rinse.
5. Clean your hairbrush
A hairbrush should be cleaned about once a month. Use a toothbrush to easily lift the hair from the brush. You can also put a dab of shampoo on the bristles of the toothbrush and scrub the base and bristles of the hairbrush. Rinse in warm water.
6. Clean jewelry
Combine warm (almost hot) water with dish soap and soak your diamond rings in it for about 30 minutes. Gently brush the stone with a very soft toothbrush and rinse with warm water. You can also use the toothbrush for cleaning the band around the stone. Toothbrushes can be used for cleaning other types of jewelry as well, such as the chains on necklaces.
7. Clean a keyboard
My daughter’s keyboard has more crumbs in it than my toaster! I know, gross! But she’s a preteen who cannot tear herself away from animal videos on YouTube while eating. If you have a crumby keyboard, just use a toothbrush to clean it. Hold the keyboard upright and brush the keys from top to bottom. Of course, you’ll want to clean it extensively with some rubbing alcohol to get the germs off. Did you know that some keyboards are dirtier than the average toilet seat? Gross!!
8. Clean window tracks
Cover the track with a little bit of baking soda and pour a tad bit of vinegar over it so it starts to bubble. Leave it for about 10 minutes, then scrub it from the sides to the center with a toothbrush. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
9. Clean the car
Small crevices in a vehicle, such as around the parking brake, vents, and cup holders can be cleaned easily with a toothbrush. You can also use a toothbrush to clean your headlights and taillights!
10. Clean spills and stains
Use a toothbrush for cleaning spills and stains on clothes and around the house, such as couches and rugs. Make sure you tap the stain with the bristles, don’t scrub. You want to break up the dirt, not rub it into the fabric.
11. Clean your shoes
Dip a toothbrush into a teaspoon of laundry detergent mixed with a cup of water and scrub the dirt and mud off your shoes. Just be careful not to use this on leather!
12. Deep clean the toilet
It’s very difficult to get under the rim of the toilet with a toilet brush, but a toothbrush makes it a lot easier. Also, use the toothbrush to clean around the hinges of the toilet seat. (Don’t forget to wear gloves!)
There are so many ways to use a toothbrush for cleaning! Can you believe some of these? Using a toothbrush to clean can make your cleaning routine so much easier for certain things. Please place it in a drawer far far away from the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth with and toss it when it gets really disgusting!
Do you reuse old toothbrushes? If so, how?
Check out my clutter-free series with FREE printables!
I’m going to try the grout one today. I think I’ll put some electrical tape around the handle though. Don’t want that thing getting picked up and put away by someone else. Wait. Hahahah. Like that would ever happen! 🙂
Haha! I know that feeling!! ? That’s a great idea! Have fun grout cleaning! ?
I use old face flannels to clean the toilet but I cut the corner off so they don’t get near faces again after ?
I didn’t know you were a drill sergeant!
Haha!! You learn something new every day! ?
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Wow thanks for those tips Michelle, I’m definitely going to try some of these tips.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed them! ?
I really did!!
Fantastic ideas! I already do some of them, but wow, I never thought of the car or window tracks! I do have a few toothbrushes with masking tape labels on them for specific uses though, like the one for jewelry. I don’t like to put harsh chemicals on that one.
Thank you! It’s amazing how many different ways you can use a toothbrush. ? I think putting the different colored masking tape on them is a great idea!
I always save them for cleaning but never thought about the keyboard, thank you
You’re welcome! I need to do a thorough cleaning of my daughter’s keyboard. ?
Wow great ideas and tips! I hate to clean, maybe it would be more fun with a toothbrush
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Thank you! Me, too!! I’m always looking for ways to make it easier. ?
Thanks for all of these toothbrush cleaning ideas. I have used a few of them for several years. Have a wonderful week!
That’s great! Thank you and the same to you! ?
I use mine for a variety of things and have just learned a couple more here. Thanks for sharing!!
That’s awesome! Thank you! ?
I never thought about using a toothbrush on a keyboard. What a great idea!
Thank you! It makes it a lot easier! 🙂
I recall that, when I was in Army Basic training, that they could also be quite useful for toilet cleaning for those who transgressed. LOL.
Haha! I’ll keep that in mind since my daughter will be a teenager soon! 😀
Great tips Michelle! For some reason I haven’t been getting notices of your posts lately. Should I be doing something different now that you have moved your site?
Steve.
Thank you! Someone else told me the same thing. There’s an email sign up on the side of my page. Maybe that will help? Please let me know if it doesn’t so I can try to fix it. Thanks for telling me!
Good thought, I will try the email, I hate missing out!☺
I totally believe the thing about keyboards being super dirty! I feel the same way about phone screens and the bottom of handbags, the stuff that you take outside with you and just touches everything! ?
Oh, me, too! I hate when I go into a bathroom that has no hook for my bag! I refuse to sit in on the floor. Gross!!
Toothbrushes are amazing power tools. I keep old ones for craft purposes too ? Mx
Oh that’s a great idea!!
Finally a way to clean my keyboard without ruining it:) Thank you very much.
All the best
Laureen
I”m glad I could help! 🙂 Thank you!
Great post! I never considered most of these ways to use old tooth brushes for cleaning. Very helpful!
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome, Michelle.
Great tips, Michelle! I also think toothbrushes are great for cleaning the hinges around toilet seats….they can just easily reach those tight spots, which is very important if you have young boys in the household…lol 🙂
Thank you! Yes I agree! They really should come up with a better toilet for boys. 😀
Love your idea of using a toothbrush to clean a keyboard! As usual, you’ve put together another original post. I think I start remembering you as a “How to” and “20 ways to” person now 🙂
Thank you so much! I love sharing little ways to help others with household objects we tend to take for granted. 🙂