8 Clever Ways to Clean With an Old Toothbrush
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Don’t toss that old toothbrush just yet!
While it may no longer be effective for keeping your teeth clean, its compact size and firm bristles make it a surprisingly versatile tool for tackling tough grime around the house.
Here are some practical and eco-friendly ways to repurpose your old toothbrush for cleaning.
Table of contents
1. Scrubbing grout lines
Tile grout easily accumulates dirt and mildew. An old toothbrush is the perfect size and stiffness for scrubbing those narrow lines. Add a bit of baking soda and vinegar or a specialized grout cleaner, and scrub in small circular motions for best results.
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2. Cleaning faucet and sink crevices
Bathroom and kitchen faucets often have hard-to-reach areas where gunk builds up. Use your toothbrush to clean behind the faucet, around the handles, and in any crevices where grime hides. A dab of dish soap or vinegar can help break down the build-up.
3. Detailing appliances
Whether it's the edge of your microwave door, the crumb tray of your toaster, or the seals around your refrigerator, an old toothbrush can get into those nooks and crannies. It’s particularly handy for scrubbing vents and seams.
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4. Polishing jewelry
Delicate jewelry with intricate settings can trap dirt and oils. A soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild soap solution can safely clean rings, earrings, and chains without damaging them. Just be gentle to avoid loosening stones or scratching soft metals.
5. Keyboard and electronics cleaning
Dust and debris tend to collect between the keys of your keyboard and other small electronic components. Use a dry toothbrush (or very lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol) to sweep away crumbs, lint, and dirt without damaging the device.
6. Shoe detailing
From the soles to the seams, an old toothbrush is great for cleaning shoes. Use it to remove dirt from treads and polish up scuffed areas.
7. Bathroom fixtures and toilet hinges
Toothbrushes can reach under toilet hinges, behind the flush handle, and around base fixtures where grime builds up unnoticed. Use a disinfectant for a deep clean.
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8. Window tracks and sliding door rails
These areas are notorious dust traps. Spray a bit of cleaner into the tracks, then scrub the area with your toothbrush to loosen dirt before wiping it away with a cloth or paper towel.
Final thoughts
Reusing an old toothbrush isn’t just thrifty, it’s also a great way to reduce waste while keeping your home cleaner. Keep a few stashed in your cleaning kit, and you’ll always have the perfect tool for those detailed jobs.
Which cleaning hack did you find the most helpful? Comment down below.
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Been doing those/that and more for almost 80 years...............
Have saved and used old toothbrushes for all kinds of cleaning. From bathrooms, to kitchens. Use a soft one to clean my jewelry boards in between uses.