14 Ways to Reuse Old Toothbrushes

Dentists recommend you change your toothbrush when the bristles start to bend, which means you’re going to replace your toothbrush about four times a year. That quickly adds up to a lot of toothbrushes – made from plastic or even bamboo – that you’re throwing away a year.

You’re also throwing away money because those dead toothbrushes can be useful around the house for cleaning things besides teeth.

14 Toothbrush Hacks that  Save Money and Reduce Waste

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Before you try any of these clever toothbrush reuses, make sure you clean the toothbrush by running it through the dishwasher or soaking it in boiling water to kill any bacteria that may be still on the toothbrush.

It is also handy if you mark the toothbrush handle with a marker or tape so you know it is not to be used in your mouth. Ew!

1. Repurpose an old toothbrush to clean around sink faucets, the drain, and crevices – an old toothbrush is the only tool that the right size to get my faucets clean!

2. Use an old toothbrush in the laundry room as a stain removal brush – I keep one next to a bottle of DIY stain remover spray and give every shot of stain remover a little scrub to work it into the stain with the toothbrush. It works much better than just squirting stain remover spray and hoping for the best.

3. A toothbrush is the perfect size to remove crumbs from all the little nooks and crannies in your toaster or toaster oven. No more extra bread crumbs burning in the bottle of the toaster or toaster oven when you make toast!

4. You can use an clean toothbrush to groom your eyebrows – I use an eyebrow brush and comb like this  but if you’re in a pinch this reader’s tip may help you out.

(Disclosure: I am including some affiliate links in this post for your convenience.)

5. You can brush dust and crumbs out from in between the keys of your computer keyboard – not eating over your keyboard works too but probably won’t happen anytime soon at house.

6. Use an old toothbrush and your favorite cleaner to clean the track and corners of sliding doors, windows, and shower doors.

7. You can also use an old toothbrush and a spritz of water from a spray bottle to dust window blinds.

8. Replace the itsy bitsy brush that comes with jewelry cleaner solution (there are several options here) with a repurposed soft bristle toothbrush when you need to clean your jewelry.
9. Speaking of cleaning a recycled toothbrush works great when you need to clean dried mud off the soles and sides of your boots and shoes.

Toothbrushes work especially well to clean mud out of boot soles with with a large tread. Guess how I know?

10. You can also use a toothbrush to clean the air vents, cup holders (I keep the bottom of my cup holders clean with these car cup holder coasters. They work really well for spills!) and the car console in your car interior.

11. Consider using an old toothbrush to spread a bead of glue on your next craft or DIY project instead of getting your fingers messy *raises glue covered hand*

12. Clean the lint and dust covered fan cover of your hair dryer with a few swipes of an old toothbrush. Your hairdryer will not only work better, it will last longer too!

13. A toothbrush is the perfect size and shape to use when you need to clean tile grout in bathroom or kitchen.

14. You can use a toothbrush to get a spatter paint effect for craft and DIY projects. Dip the tips of the bristles in paint and flick the bristles with your finger. It is messy, but it works!

Looking for more money saving creative reuse ideas? Check out the options – and more! - below!

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