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Uses for an Old Toothbrush

Heidi Stonehill
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Before throwing the old toothbrush out, take a look at what it can do to improve the small things inside your home.

If you have concerns about using the toothbrush for culinary or cosmetic purposes, boil it with water in a pot for 3 to 4 minutes.

List of Items to Clean With a Toothbrush:

  • Use with an abrasive cleaner to scrub around drains and faucets, grates, vents, grills, and between bathroom tiles.
  • Cleaning jewelry and silverware
  • Cleaning between the teeth of a chainsaw
  • Applying pipe sealant in hard to reach places
  • “Brushing the corn’s teeth.” Brushing away bits of silk that cling to the ears of fresh corn after husking.
  • Cleaning fish
  • Cleaning off mud and other debris from the soles of shoes
  • De-greasing bicycle parts
  • Sweeping crumbs away from a keyboard
  • Scrubbing small stains off of carpets or upholstery
  • Applying glue to grooves and joints
  • Personal grooming such as, brushing brows and lashes, teasing and curling small sections of hair, fixing mustaches, sideburns, and beards.

Tips:

  • To clean a vent that is removable, soak it in a strongly alkaline cleaner and solvent, then scrub using a stiff toothbrush to get into cracks and crevices. If it is not removable, dip the brush in a strong alkaline cleaner and scrub.
  • To clean gold jewelry, fill a small container with dishwashing liquid and 1 teaspoon of ammonia. Soak the jewelry in this strong solution for a few minutes, then clean with an old toothbrush. Rinse and pat dry.
  • To clean the filter on your washing machine, first use an old toothbrush to remove any lint. Soak the filter in vinegar overnight, then rinse it with water.

What do you clean with an old toothbrush?
 

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Cleaning
About The Author

Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill is the executive editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, where she focuses much of her time on managing content development for the Almanac’s line of calendars. Read More from Heidi Stonehill

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Comments

Dinah (not verified)

7 years 5 months ago

I feed the hummingbirds and use a sterilized old brush to clean the hummingbirds feeder regularly!

Cynthia Bender-Loyd (not verified)

9 years 6 months ago

You can also use the tooth bush as a tool to clean and fix the hair on your doll collection. Either wet or put a piece of nylon stocking over the tooth brush,also push the tooth bush through the nylon, then sprinkle a small amount of baby power on the hair then brush out. Also is a good tool to use to clean the doll clothes to keep away dust.

Rodel (not verified)

10 years 5 months ago

What an amazing information. Learn a lot from it. Keep posting.

Thanks a lot,
Rodel

phiferindia (not verified)

11 years 5 months ago

Great info, Hope you clear doubts about using old toothbrushes. I don't know the reason,why using brush instead scrubber results my core glass items with some scratches. And another doubt is, using toothbrush for water bottle cleaning purposes cause any danger to health i mean by brushing with that inside the bottle..?? Thank you in advance

If there is concern, we suggest following the advice above to boil the toothbrush for 3 to 4 minutes.

AnonymousDavid (not verified)

11 years 10 months ago

useing a tooth brush to clean your filter on washing machine ? Did you mean dryer vent screen?

Older washing machines may have a wire mesh filter that captures debris from the wash (such as dirt and lint). Sometimes this is located in the agitator, or along the rim of the tub. Over time, the filter can become clogged and should be cleaned periodically. Newer machines may not have this type of filter. Check your manual for proper care.

LaureAnna (not verified)

12 years 1 month ago

1. I wear glasses and after wearing them awhile, there's scum that accumulates between the nosepads and the tiny metal arms that keep them in place. I brush that scum away with a toothbrush.
2- I have a Champion Juicer and there is always fiber stuck in the filter after I've made some juice. I clean the filter and remove the fibers with a toothbrush.
3- Likewise, I use a tooth brush to remove a patch of sticky food stuck in a sieves' holes.