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Easy, low-hassle ways to clean and disinfect your toilet brush
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You might think your chores are done once the toilet is clean, but what about your handy toilet brush? It may not look very dirty, but a lot can hide between those bristles. In this article, we'll walk you through how to clean and disinfect your toilet brush and its holder using disinfectant cleaners and natural products. If you want a brush that sparkles as much as your freshly cleaned porcelain throne, keep scrolling!
Best Way to Clean Toilet Brushes
Spray the toilet brush with an all-purpose disinfectant, then let it rest over the toilet bowl for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Alternatively, add 2-3 caps of bleach to the toilet bowl and soak the brush in the bleach for 1 hour.
Steps
Section 1 of 6:
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Spray the toilet brush thoroughly with an all-purpose disinfectant . Once you’ve cleaned your toilet , hold the toilet brush over the toilet bowl and spray it with a disinfectant of your choice. Rotate the brush as you spray to ensure every bristle gets coated in cleaner. [1] X Research source
- The type of disinfectant spray is entirely up to you. You could use the same cleaner you use to clean the toilet or a squirt of hydrogen peroxide. [2] X Research source
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Place the brush handle under the toilet seat for 10 minutes. After the brush has been coated in disinfectant, shut the toilet lid on top of the brush’s handle. This will hold the brush in place over the toilet bowl so it can dry, allowing any excess disinfect to drip into the toilet. [3] X Research source
- You can also dry the brush over a sink or tub. However, if you decide to do this, clean the sink and tub thoroughly afterward.
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Run the brush under hot water. When the 10 minutes of drying time are up, rinse the brush in hot water to remove any lingering disinfectant, debris, and bacteria. Keep the brush under the running water until the water coming off the brush is clear. [4] X Research source- Make sure to disinfect whatever you clean the toilet brush in, such as a sink or tub.
- Allow the brush to dry over the toilet for another 10 minutes. Putting a wet brush back in the holder could cause mold. [5] X Research source
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Spray the brush holder with disinfectant and rinse with hot water. As you wait for the toilet brush to dry, coat the inside of the toilet brush holder with the same disinfectant you used before. Let the disinfectant soak for about 10 minutes before rinsing the holder with hot water. [6] X Research source
- Place the holder on a clean towel to air-dry.
- Once the brush and holder are completely dry, put them back together and return them to their spot in the bathroom.
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Section 2 of 6:
Soaking in Bleach
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Add 2 to 3 capfuls of bleach to a clean toilet bowl. Clean your toilet thoroughly. Then, add around 3 capfuls of bleach to the water in the bowl. [7] X Research source
- Read the back of your bleach bottle. If it gives you specific instructions about how much to use, follow them.
- For a deeper clean, consider filling a bucket with hot water and bleach and submerging the brush and holder in the solution.
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Submerge the brush in the bleach water for 1 hour. Drop the head of the brush into the toilet bowl, being careful not to splash. Leave the brush in the bleach solution for at least 1 hour. [8] X Research source
- Wear gloves and, if available, a disposable plastic apron to ensure you don’t get bleach on your skin or clothes.
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Let the brush dry completely before storing it back in the holder. Set the brush on a towel to air-dry. Don’t store it until it’s completely dry, as storing a wet or damp brush can cause bacteria to grow. [11] X Research source
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Repeat the bleaching process every month. Even if you don’t use your toilet brush that often, the brush can still host bacterial growth and collect filth. It’s a good idea to deep clean the brush monthly to prevent this. [12] X Research source
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Section 3 of 6:
Using Natural Products
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Submerge the brush in a vinegar-water solution for 1 hour. Clean the toilet bowl, and then pour 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar into the clean toilet water. Then, submerge the brush in the solution. Leave it in the solution for at least an hour or overnight, and then remove with gloves. [13] X Research source
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Scrub the brush with 2 grams (0.071 oz) of baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda over the surface area of the brush. Then, use a separate cleaning brush to scrub the baking soda all over the toilet brush, making sure to get in between all the bristles. [14] X Research source
- If the brush holder has stubborn stains or grime, spray it with a vinegar-water solution, sprinkle it with baking soda, and scrub it down.
- While this step isn’t necessary, it’s helpful to get an even deeper clean.
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Run the brush under hot water. Rinse off the baking soda and grime with hot water. Make sure to keep the brush under the water for at least 30 seconds to kill any remaining bacteria. [15] X Research source
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Leave the brush out to dry before putting it away. Storing a damp or wet brush can cause bacteria and mold to grow. So, make sure it’s completely dry before storing it. [16] X Research source
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Tips
- Clean your plunger when you clean your toilet brush to sanitize your bathroom space further. Simply twirl the plunger in a bleach solution, rinse, and air-dry. [19] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- Never mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia with bleach. They can create toxic fumes.Thanks
- Bleach is dangerous. Keep it away from children. Do not get it on your skin or in your eyes. [20] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H47JQTwCcQA?t=206
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2022/02/01/care-tips-cleaning-supplies/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H47JQTwCcQA?t=210
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H47JQTwCcQA?t=217
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H47JQTwCcQA?t=232
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/en/useofbleach.htm
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ https://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk/blog/clean-toilet-brush/
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12130493/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
- ↑ https://www.maidforyou.com.au/blog/how-to-clean-toilet-brush/
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a37292012/replace-bathroom-essentials/
- ↑ https://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/nashville/about-us/blog/2017/september/clean-a-toilet-plunger-your-how-to-guide/
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-toilet-brush-and-toilet-brush-holder
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean a toilet brush, start by filling a bucket with enough water to fully submerge the brush and holder, and adding 2 cups of bleach to the water. Then, place the brush and holder in the diluted bleach and let them soak for 1 hour. Next, rinse the brush and holder under hot water for at least 30 seconds and set them on a towel to air dry. Repeat this process once a month to get rid of bacteria and grime. For more tips from our Housekeeping co-author, including how to disinfect a toilet brush with vinegar and baking soda, read on!
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