Old toothbrushes . . what to do with them? These little marvels make super-duper cleaning tools.
Toothbrushes as teeth-cleaning tools should be replaced regularly; at least every six months: ask your dentist about this.
However, don't throw the old one away.
First: "sterilize" the old brush. Let it sit overnight in a 1:1 ratio solution of bleach and water. Then, just for good measure, run it through a full cycle in your dishwasher.
Now this little guy is ready for a plethora of jobs, so save 'em all.
- Keep one at the front door or in the mud room to get the grit off shoes before entering your home.
- Keep one near every sink, tub and shower to scrub around faucets and other hardware.
- Use one with tiny amount of furniture polish to get into tiny and tight spaces that your dust cloth can't reach.
- Keep one in the kitchen to scrub down the counters around the kitchen sink.
- Another in the car for detailing.
- How about a toothbrush for the kids' bicycles?
- An old toothbrush WITH a bit of toothpaste makes dull jewelry sparkle*.
- Your only limit is your imagination.
Do YOU have any good uses for old tooth brushes?
Before ending this save-the-toothbrush-campaign, a note of caution. MARK your "old toothbrushes so it isn't picked up and used by its former owner for its original purpose.
- To mark the cleaning toothbrush, generously squiggle on it with a permanent Sharpie-type marker. OR -
- Slather the tooth brush with some loud and gaudy nail varnish. OR -
- Get into your craft box and "paint" the old fang cleaner with craft paint or paint markers. OR -
- Wrap the toothbrush with duck-tape - ANY color.
Voila! Instant cleaning tool and one less piece of plastic in the land fill.
* (do NOT use this method with pearls or opals or costume jewelry that is glued in or on)!
© 2015 Cat Brennan
