Expert Q&A for How to Use a Toilet Brush

The best measure of when to change your toilet brush is appearance. Once your toilet bristles start to fray and turn yellow/orange, it is a good sign your brush is harboring bacteria.

A plunger will be the most effective way to unclog a toilet. Although a toilet bowl brush is not an adequate substitute, you can always try it if you are desperate. To do this, wrap the toilet brush with a plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band. Then, put the brush in the toilet and apply a rhythmic pressure similarly to how you would use a plunger. If this does not break up the clog, there are a couple other options that you can try to unclog a toilet without a plunger. For example, you can add dish soap to the toilet bowl, as sometimes that will loosen up the clog.

Unfortunately, a toilet brush is probably one of the least hygienic parts of your bathroom. However, you can clean it by soaking it in warm bleach water ever 4-6 weeks. Let the brush soak overnight and fully dry out before returning it to the bathroom.

The best way to keep a toilet brush clean is to completely dry it out prior to returning it to its storage container. To dry out your brush after cleaning the toilet, place the brush handle under the toilet seat and allow the brush to drip dry over the toilet bowl.

Toilet brushes can come with a case for storage purposes. After you have cleaned your toilet and brush and let the brush dry, it can be stored in the case next to the toilet.