STOP! Before you throw away your used toothbrush, just think of all the benefits it could bring. You may think your used toothbrush has seen better days, but it's a nifty little tool to keep around the house. Don't believe me? Check out what this baby can do.
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In the kitchen
1. Clean appliances with your used toothbrush
Toasters, microwaves, coffee machines, anything you like! Grab your used toothbrush and get scrubbing off those crumbs and stains that fall into those hard to reach places.
2. Remove clothes stains
Want to know the secret to really getting that persistent stain out of your clothes? You guessed it. Apply a stain remover on the spot and gently scrub with your used toothbrush until the stain is gone.
Check out Anushka's Ultimate guide to cleaning your clothes for more fabulous tips.
3. Clean your chopping board
I have one of those annoying chopping boards with the edges and nothing works better for getting bits of food than a used toothbrush. Seriously, once you start cleaning your chopping board with your used toothbrush, you'll never use anything else! Unlike a wipe, it gets deep in there so give it a try next time.
In the bathroom
4. Clean grout grime off tiles
Combine baking soda and water to make a paste and dunk your used toothbrush in to clear out funky grime between kitchen or bathroom tiles. This works like an absolute charm and leaves your tiles gleaming.
5. Brush your eyebrows with your used toothbrush
Beauty and grooming tools can be so pricey these days, why not give your used toothbrush a wash and re-use it as an eyebrow brush?
6. Clean your fingernails
Brush out that dirt from under your grubby fingernails. Put a little soap and water on the brush and you’re all set! It feels nice on your nails, too.
7. Those tricky spots around the taps
An old toothbrush is perfect for tackling those hard to reach corners around your sink areas. Wet the area with white vinegar and get stuck in!
Colleen has 21 superb cleaning hacks for a stunning bathroom to help get you motivated.
8. Apply hair dye with your used toothbrush
If your hair dyeing kit didn’t come with one of those little separating combs, have no fear! Apply hair dye using a toothbrush. For quick touch ups to grey or roots, apply mascara to a toothbrush and brush into desired areas. This will help blend the colour in your hair better than a flimsy mascara wand.
In the kid's room
9. Remove crayon marks on the wall
Have your little monsters left you with a pretty crayon drawing on their wall? Use shaving cream and a used toothbrush to remove crayon marks in a jiffy!
10. Remove dirt & dust from dolls and toys
Did you know your kid's dolls and toys are a haven for dirt and dust? A used toothbrush is perfect for getting in there and wiping away any nastiness so your kids can play happily. Store your kid's toys away with these sensational storage ideas.
11. Add it to your kids’ art supplies
A used toothbrush can work wonders when it comes to adding texture to paintings, clay, even Play-Doh. Make pretty creations using used toothbrushes as paintbrushes or to engrave cute patterns into their favourite clay - hours of fun and all for free thanks to your used toothbrush!
In the bedroom
12. Clean your hairbrush
Having trouble removing your hair from your favourite brush? Lift the hair out in no time by pulling it up and loosening it with your used toothbrush, voilà!
What do you do with the hair that you've removed? To properly dispose of it, find out in our article about if you can flush hair down the toilet.
13. Clean jewellery with your used toothbrush
Do you have one of those pretty necklaces or bracelets with lots of awkward twists and turns? Used toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning your favourite jewellery. The bristles fit in between those tricky areas and will keep your fave necklace or bracelet pretty and rust-free.
14. Revive your velcro
The small hooks on velcro are what makes it so nifty, but it's also the reason it attracts so many hairs and lint, but it's no match for a used toothbrush! Brush out the stuff you don't want to get stuck to your beloved velcro with the strong bristles in your toothbrush.
15. Clean the vent in your hairdryer
Once I found out about this hack, I have no idea how I lived without it! Get deep into your hairdryer with a used toothbrush regularly to keep it from clogging up and potentially becoming dangerous.
In the office
16. Clean your computer keyboard
Keyboards can be so frustrating to clean! Get them into tip-top shape with the help of a (dry!) used toothbrush. This will remove any evidence of your sneaky snack addiction or those random coffee stains, just me? Ok...
17. Cleaning your fish tank
You don’t need an expensive fish tank cleaning tool, just grab your old toothbrush to clean the fish tank or the fish ‘furniture’.
18. Clean blinds & window screens
Toothbrushes are a genius tool when it comes to cleaning the delicate blinds in your home. Just slide them across to get rid of dust, job done!
To find out how to clean vertical blinds, check out our other guide.
19. Clean carpet spots
If you have a particularly troublesome spot on your carpet, did you know you can apply your ideal cleaner and remove the troublesome spot with a toothbrush? Get scrubbing.
Take it outside
20. Clean your shoes
When dirt and mud get stuck in the soles of your shoes, loosen it up and prepare to rinse it off with your old toothbrush.
21. Clean bike chains
Used toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning in between your bike chains. Keep your chains squeaky clean by getting right in there and cleaning out any dirt to avoid rusting.
22. Clean the car
I’m not talking a full body clean here people! Rather, using a toothbrush to clean up your car’s interior. All the funny parts like the parking break, cup holders, dashboard area and so on.
There they are folks! My 22 weird and wonderful uses for your used toothbrush. Do you have any of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Don't forget to add us on Facebook or Twitter...
thanks who would have thought you could do so much with a used tooth brush brilliant idea
Thanks Harold, glad you enjoyed the article :)
I will never throw away another tooth brush great after life.
I use an old toothbrush to clean the inside of my glasses, the bit that rests on your nose, it's just like new when it's done, very grubby if you don't.
That seems to be a popular one thanks Roger! I'll try it out :)
Thanks for your kind words about my poems - I really love yours, too. Here's another bit of silly doggerel!! My bike was really playing up, the wheels were jammed and stuck, and then I read this good advice, what a piece of luck! So I applied the tooth brush, making sure to look, and see it penetrated in every little nook, I was so proud of what I'd done - think of my falling heart, when I found out with a groan it STILL wouldn't start! So I went to the repair man, and asked for his advice, he looked it over once, he looked it over twice, then said, 'The good news or the bad?' So, fearing the worst I said he'd better give me the piece of bad news first ... He said, 'Your wheel is past repair, I cannot coax it back - But here's the good news - there is not a single hint of plaque!
Love this! Thanks again Debbie, you outdo yourself every time! :)
Can clean around the edge of glass lens and around the nose pads
Great tip thanks Keith! I will have to try it out and let you know :)
Found above article really halpful! Have used a few ideas ?
Aww good glad to hear you found it helpful Sonya :)
Great article, but PLEASE don't use an old, used toothbrush in your fish tank! You shouldn't put any contaminants into a fish tank (toothbrush would have toothpaste and old saliva on it, at least!) as it can mess up the delicate chemical balance in the tank and, worst case scenario, kill your fish! Not even ok if you scrub the toothbrush first with cleaning agents like soap or washing up liquid as those chemicals can mess up the tank too. Best to just not do it at all!
Thanks Davina, didn't know it was that dangerous for them! I definitely won't be trying that on my fish tank anytime soon...
Thank u great one for cleaning the hair dryer. I do use a toothbrush for cleaning. For brittle toe nails use rub on fresh garlic it really works I've tried it an it really works
Ooh interesting tip thanks Razwana, glad you find the hair dryer tip useful :)
You can also use a bit of talc on your toothbrush when cleaning your rings just make apaste with some water and gently rub the whole of your ring then rinse and your rings will sparkle
Great tip Helen thanks! :)
I've been using an old toothbrush to clean round my taps for years now. I only wish I'd take it with me when using the facilities in restaurants etc. When I cleaned for an army colonel's wife she cleaned the springs of their beds before they went to a different place. It was called a march out and everything had to be spotless for the next person to move into.
Haha Sheena, yes they may not be 100% clean at restaurants. That's very interesting about the bed springs, thanks for sharing! :)
I might use my old toothbrush to clean my tiles and my lime scale around my taps.
I highly recommend it, Michael :)
I always save my old tooth brush when i've replaced it. The old tooth brush is ideal for cleaning the shower hose and under the shower door and inside the water taps around the house.
Ahh yes I'll have to try that Stephen, thanks for sharing!
Brill tips. For ages, I've use an old toothbrush to clean inside the toilet. It's great for cleaning under the rim, around the water line, and below the water. But I will buy some cheap toothbrushes to use around the home too. Thanks. XXX
Yes, definitely worth stocking up on cheap toothbrushes to clean with Louise! Glad you like the tips :)
I have two beautiful big old cut glass flower vases and always use an old toothbrush and spray bleach to clean them with. They absolutely gleam, with the sunlight bouncing off the intricate cut, carved surfaces.
That sounds great Vicky, thanks for sharing!
Would never of guessed how useful a toothbrush can be the tip with the shaving foam and toothbrush was brilliant the tips on this site really are useful thankyou
Aww thanks Caroline, glad you like our tips :)
I bent back the head of my old TB, by heating the handle to soften it. Now I use it to scrub the tea or coffee stains from my mugs.
That's helpful Tom thanks for sharing. Although, if you drink as much tea as me, the mugs are probably beyond saving! :)
some great ideas going to have a go on my wood venetian blinds and lots more ,thank you
Oh yes, I never thought of that! Thanks Valerie :)
I use my old toothbrush to clean the drain area around my shower
That's a good idea Sylvia, thanks for sharing! :)
You CAN use a toothbrush on your fish tank BUT there are a couple of precautions you need to take first. Thoroughly rinse your toothbrush then let it stand for an hour or so in a water conditioner like Tapsafe (other products are available!), finally, draw off a little water from the fish tank and rinse the toothbrush in that too, finally, keep that toothbrush to one side and use it ONLY for cleaning your fish tank. A bit of a laborious procedure, so you may not find it too worthwhile. Also, don't forget that you can use an old toothbrush to clean around hard to reach areas on your cooker, such as along the edges and around the control knobs, for added cleaning, dip the toothbrush in a little white vinegar or use a hob conditioning paste.
Sorry, one too many "finally"s in that but I'm sure you get the drift.
Great suggestions, thanks for sharing! :)
Thank you Colette J for the nice article. No thing is worthless unless it is use in its own place.
We're glad you enjoyed it, Habibullah :)