23 Brilliant Ways To Use A Toothbrush Around The House

The average person will use approximately 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime. That is a lot of bristles and plastic that's usually just thrown into the garbage, where it will eventually end up in a landfill. That's why you may want to consider using your old toothbrushes in creative ways around your home. Upcycling your old toothbrushes extends the life of this everyday item and gives you the most bang for your buck. The bristles are durable enough to tackle rigid surfaces yet gentle enough to care for delicate areas. Plus, they are the perfect size for stubborn jobs. The tiny brush head gives you precise scrubbing action, while the handle allows for a sturdy grasp in hard-to-reach places.

Save money on buying extra cleaning brushes and mini scrubbers because you already have one in the form of a toothbrush. This dental item can be used in every room of your house, including your outdoor space and garage. From deep cleaning to creative projects, there is a use that will save this brush a trip to the trash, and we've listed 23 of the best ideas below. Who knew such a tiny but mighty tool was in our possession all this time?

Whether it's the air conditioner or the bathroom fan, vents attract dust. Without regular cleaning, they recirculate particles like dead skin cells and pollen that can end up in your lungs. A quick swipe with a toothbrush will prevent dust from accumulating and the unsightly look of clogged grates. Just brush the dry dental tool over your air vents and watch the debris fall. You can also remove the vent grate and scrub it in the sink with soap for a thorough cleaning.

One carpet stain can make the entire floor look soiled. Luckily, a toothbrush is an effective tool for treating rug messes. Whether using the shaving cream hack to clean the carpet or a homemade vinegar recipe, massaging the stain with this brush will precisely target the splatter and provide ample scrubbing power to lift it from the fibers. No more crying over spilled milk or red wine.

Your coffee maker has a lot of nooks and crannies that are easier to clean with a toothbrush on hand, especially when the parts aren't removable or dishwasher-safe. Use the teeth scrubber to scour the outside of your coffee machine as well as inside the lid, reservoir, and filter compartment. The soft bristles do the job without scratching any glass, metal, or plastic surfaces.

Is a funky smell coming from your garbage disposal? You're not alone. Food particles can often get trapped underneath the splash guard, releasing an unpleasant odor. This is where a toothbrush comes in handy. Pull out the splash guard and use the brush to clean inside the cap with dish soap to remove any vegetable pulp and grease. However, if the foul smell wafts up from the depths of the grinder, you'll need more than a toothbrush to clean your garbage disposal.

The fine grout lines between your tiles are tedious to clean, but restoring this space to its original color is a vital refresh that will breathe new life into your space. Apply your favorite grout cleaner to a toothbrush and zone in on the cement filler. An old electric toothbrush will increase your scrubbing power, but a manual one does just fine.

After polishing your jewelry, it's time to dust off another accessory — your shoes. This tiny brush is ideal for cleaning between the seams, along the bottom of the soles, and around the toe pads. You don't need to spend money on a shoe brush when you have an old toothbrush around. Use it to wipe off loose dirt and dust before scrubbing with soap. This hack is safe for your suede, leather, canvas, and rubber footwear.

The hooks on Velcro strips create the grips that make it a secure fastener, but over time these hooks can reel in lint and debris. When this happens, the strips lose their grip. You can use a toothbrush to dislodge lint and dust trapped within those hooks. Just brush the mouth cleaner over both sides of the fabric fastener and watch the debris disappear.

Keeping the toothbrush in the garage, we're moving from the bike to the car. All the nooks and crannies around lights, air vents, the glove box, and drink holder could use a toothbrush scrub. It is a great tool for dusting, polishing tail lights, or spot-cleaning the seats. With all its uses, you might want to leave an old toothbrush in the trunk, just in case.

Indoor houseplants are a target for dust, much like the other surfaces around the home. A soft bristle toothbrush takes care of the particles without harming the foliage. The mouth cleaner also helps those herbs sprouting from your garden bed. It is great for brushing off pests like mealybugs and aphids that cling to the underside of leaves and applying insecticides to treat fungal issues.

While the toothbrush's bristles make it such a versatile cleaning tool, the handle is useful too. Not only is it great for sowing seeds, but it can also be used as a paint stirrer. Gripping the bristles, simply dip the handle into your bucket and mix. The dry or wet paint is easy to wipe off the plastic handle, so you can use it again and again for any paint job.

A glue brush is a useful tool for DIY projects around the house, and a toothbrush is a remarkable replacement. Use it to apply the adhesive without worrying about messing up your workstation, clothes, or hands. It is great for gluing smaller pieces like drawer knobs, rhinestones, or cabinet liners. It also helps you spread the glue evenly for a more durable hold.