In the grand scheme of bathroom cleaning, the lowly toilet brush seems to get completely overlooked. Its purpose is solely for the most germ-filled, unpleasant housekeeping task—cleaning the toilet.
Even though the brush does the cleaning, it’s likely dirtier than you think. This may surprise you, but a nylon-bristled toilet brush should be replaced every six to eight months, assuming you use it to clean a toilet at least once a week.
Learn how to maintain and when to replace your toilet brush to make toilet cleaning easier and more effective.
How Often Should You Replace Your Toilet Brush?
As mentioned, a toilet brush can become worn down and filled with bacteria, so you should replace it twice per year. If you continue using a misshapen brush, the handle can permanently scratch the toilet bowl, leaving more spots for bacteria and stains to gather.
Tip
Toilet brushes with silicone heads can usually be used for about one year. However, if the head is damaged or becomes loose, replace it sooner.
How to Make Your Toilet Brush Last Longer
There are two key tricks to make your toilet brush last longer: cleaning it and the toilet brush holder properly and allowing it to dry thoroughly before putting it back in the toilet brush holder.
It’s also wise to choose a holder that keeps the brush head suspended above the bottom of the holder to prevent bending and breakage of the bristles.
Keeping Your Toilet Brush Clean
- After flushing away the toilet bowl cleaner, rinse the brush well in the water in the freshly cleaned toilet.
- Sanitize the brush head and handle by spraying it with distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or a commercial disinfecting spray.
- For a more thorough cleaning, mix a solution of hot water and an all-purpose cleaner in a plastic bucket.
- Submerge the toilet brush and let it soak for two hours; remove it and rinse well with hot water.
Keeping Your Toilet Brush Dry
Always allow a toilet brush to air-dry thoroughly before returning it to the toilet brush holder. The easiest way to expose the brush to plenty of air circulation is to sandwich the handle between the freshly cleaned bowl and the seat of the toilet.
9 Additional Bathroom Items You Might Want to Get Rid of
To help keep products safe for your family to use, follow these timeline tips for replacing items kept in your bathroom.
- Shower liner: Replace plastic shower liners every six months or at least yearly as they become stained from mildew.
- Toothbrush: Dentists recommend swapping out for a new brush or electric toothbrush head every three months.
- Loofah: These natural sponges and synthetic nylon poofs collect dead skin cells and body oils during each use. Replace them every three weeks.
- Makeup sponge: Replace every six months to help keep skin healthy.
- Eye cosmetics: The FDA recommends discarding eye-area cosmetics every two to four months.
- Face cosmetics: Liquid face makeup should be discarded after six months. Dry powders can last up to two years.
- Lip cosmetics: Lipstick and gloss should also be replaced after two years.
- Facial cleanser: Liquid cleansers should be replaced after one year to prevent bacterial growth in the solution.
- Bath towels and washcloths: After two to three years, bath towels and washcloths will begin to wear and become less effective for cleaning and drying and should be replaced.