15 Ways to Recycle your Toothbrush
I tell my patients to change their toothbrush religiously every 3 months. This ensures they have a properly functioning tool to help maintain their healthy, bright smiles. But did you know you can recycle & effectively reuse your old toothbrush for other chores? Here are 15 ways I like to use my old toothbrushes around the house. Remember – to disinfect your used toothbrush before using it, you can soak the bristles it in 70% rubbing alcohol for 30 minutes and then you’re ready to go!
1. Clean your Keyboard:
Dip your toothbrush into a mixture of 50% water & 50% rubbing alcohol to clean dirt and oils off of your computer keyboard. Now you can keep tapping away without worrying about all the dust getting trapped underneath there.
2. Tame your Fly-Aways:
Just spray a little hairspray on your toothbrush and simply brush the wispy hairs around your face back into place. No more fly-away when you take your selfies!
3. Clean Tile Grout:
Get the grout between your tile super clean with a toothbrush. Just use a little baking soda and vinegar mixture to get the gunk out!
4. Restore your Delicate Jewelry:
Soak your jewelry in hot water & dish soap for 30 minutes to dissolve the grime. Then use your toothbrush to gently dislodge all the dirt, and rinse well.
5. Spot Clean your Clothes:
Put a drop of stain remover or laundry detergent on the toothbrush. Then use an up-and-down motion with the brush, tapping the stain with the bristles. Stay with the direction of the fibers to avoid causing damage.
6. Brush your Eyebrows:
Use a little Vaseline and brush your untamed brows into place. Easy peasy!
7. Deep Clean your Toilet:
Use a toothbrush with your regular toilet cleaner and you can get the part underneath the rim sparkling clean. Also use it around the hinges of the toilet seat where all that dirt and dust tends to collect.
8. Get Mud Off your Shoes:
Detail those sneakers the next time you clean them. Put a teaspoon of dish soap into a cup of warm water. Then dip your toothbrush into the mixture and gently scrub all over the outside of your shoes. You can really get into those tiny grooves on the fabric, mesh and rubber areas. Remember don’t use on foam or leather parts of the shoes!
9. Detail your Car:
Use a toothbrush to get into those pesky areas around your headlights, taillights and even license plate. BONUS: Use toothpaste to get rid of the foggy grime on your headlights!
10. Spread Glue Evenly:
For any of your DIY and craft projects, you can use your toothbrush a glue spreader. Just put the glue on the bristles and with just one swipe, evenly apply glue to your material of choice. Store the toothbrush in a glass of water to keep re-using it for this purpose.
11. Scrub your Baseboards:
An old toothbrush is the perfect size for getting into the tiny grooves of baseboards. Use a little soapy water to scrub away the dirt.
12. Clean your Hair Dryer Vent:
Use the toothbrush to get the dust balls that have accumulated on your hair dryer vent. This also works for your clothes dryer vent filter as well.
13. Degrease your Bike Chain:
You hate getting grease from your bicycle’s chain onto your leg. Use your old toothbrush to clean off the excess oil with a soapy water mixture and voila…no more marks on your legs!
14. Scrub your Bathroom Sink:
Get your faucets, drain and under the sink rim sparkly clean using a toothbrush and your usual bathroom cleaner.
15. Apply Dry Shampoo/Hair Dye:
You can use the tiny bristles of the toothbrush to precisely apply dry shampoo to your roots. Also use it in a pinch when applying hair dye for a quick root touch-up.
Hope these ideas to recycle your old toothbrush were helpful. Remember to keep a sparkly clean smile you should always change your toothbrush out every 3 months. Don’t throw away your used toothbrush…it might come in handy for keeping your house sparkly clean just like your smile!
Toot-a-loo,
Melisande J. Wolff, DMD, FAGD